Wintertide

Geoff Butler, The Longing, 2026.

Folklore, Fantasy and Winter Traditions Come Together in Wintertide

November 7 – December 19, 2026
Opening Reception: November 7, 12 – 2pm
Artist Panel Q&A: December 19, 1pm
ARTSPLACE Gallery, Annapolis Royal, NS

ARTSPLACE Gallery presents Wintertide, a group exhibition running November 7 to December 19, 2026, bringing together artworks inspired by the folklore, traditions, landscapes and imaginative possibilities of winter.

As daylight fades and the nights grow longer, winter has long provided a setting for stories, rituals and encounters with the unknown. Wintertide invited artists to explore this season through subjects ranging from fairytales, myths and folk traditions to dreams, ghosts, strange creatures and curious objects. The exhibition considers the many ways winter shapes our memories, imaginations and relationships with the natural world.

“Artists were encouraged to look beyond familiar images of snow-covered landscapes and seasonal celebrations. Darkness and light, magic and memory, whimsy and the uncanny all informed the call for submissions,” said Sophie Paskins, Gallery Director.

The resulting exhibition brings together different interpretations of winter, from the fantastical to the familiar, reflecting the stories and traditions that emerge during the colder months.

The open call welcomed work in all media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, mixed media, installation, digital and new media. Short film, video and performance-based work were also invited, creating opportunities for artists to approach the theme through a wide range of materials and forms.

Wintertide opening reception is Saturday, November 7, from 12 to 2pm. Light refreshments will be served, all are welcome.

The exhibition continues through to Saturday, December 19, when a closing artist talk and panel discussion will take place at 1pm. The event offers an opportunity to hear directly from participating artists about their work, creative processes and approaches to the exhibition’s theme. Admission is free throughout the exhibition’s run.

Cantiane Breton, Cindy Rosenberg, 2026.

Also On View

Ted Lind: Inviting Impressions
November 7 – 21, 2026
Opening Reception: November 7, 12 – 2pm

Coleen Davidson: A Room for Breathing
November 7 – December 19, 2026
Opening Reception: November 7, 12 – 2pm

The Artist’s Way Collective: It’s About Time
November 7 – December 19, 2026
Opening Reception: November 7, 12 – 2pm

Darren Emineau: Regenerative
(supported through ArtsNB)
November 28 – December 19, 2026
Opening Reception: November 28, 12 – 2pm

About ARTSPLACE

ARTSPLACE is a public Art Gallery that is operated by the Annapolis Region Community Arts Council, a registered charitable, community organization dedicated to encouraging and promoting the arts. Supported through the Province of Nova Scotia and the Canada Council for the Arts.

ARTSPLACE is located in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We recognize and honour the contributions of L’nu’k, the Indigenous people of Mi’kma’ki, and we commit to making space within our programs for people to learn about the history of the Peace and Friendship Treaties and the relationship between nations, both past and present.

We also acknowledge that land acknowledgements alone are not enough. We must seek out and support Indigenous artists. We must listen to diverse voices.

ARTSPLACE Gallery
396 St. George Street, Box 534
Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0
www.arcac.ca
admin@arcac.ca
(902) 532-7069

Facebook @ARTSPLACEGallery
Instagram @arcac.artsplace

Accessibility:
ARTSPLACE Gallery has one accessible parking space at the front of the building and a ramped entrance. The Main, Library, and Mym Galleries, as well as the washroom, are all wheelchair accessible on one level. The Chapel Gallery is wheelchair accessible via an external ramp and is located on a lower level than the main galleries. The upstairs programming space is accessible by stairs only.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.