Visual Arts Nova Scotia, in partnership with the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, hosted VANS In Residence artist Mallory Gorman this spring (April 2023) at the Kentville Library. The time in residence was split between the artist’s own work and community engagement.

Mallory Gorman is a visual artist located in Halifax, NS. Her work is inspired by the nearby ocean, colourful flora and fauna, and the old architecture and landscapes of east coast towns she grew up in. Her work hopes to cultivate feelings of nostalgia and harmony in your space with muted tones and simple line drawing.

From the artist:

“As an emerging artist, I have worked with many mediums, however my current focus is ink and watercolour for a more sustainable practice, which I feel aligns with this position. I continue to refine my technique and find new ways to capture the beauty around us in this beautiful province. I believe that this residency is a great opportunity to find new inspiration and engage with community members by helping them see the beauty in their own backyard. This fun group interactive mural encourages participants to let loose with dots, splotches, and splatters that will come together to create a wonderful field of flowers that will be displayed as a group mural in the library. Participants were 4-7 years of age and were instructed to add markings such as ‘everyone add 3 dots’ then move with their paint pots to the right. After the mural canvas was getting full I revealed what the image was and we made more intentional markings for stems and leaves”.

“My current project is called Coastal Barrens, And Watershed. I want to tell the story of the watershed estuary in-land to the ocean through watercolour and ink sketches. Kentville is the absolute perfect location to deep-dive into the elements of the wetlands and marsh. I would love to facilitate multiple watercolour workshops showcasing these very elements.”

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for more information contact:

Andrea Ritchie
PAINTS Coordinator, Visual Arts Nova Scotia
paints@visualarts.ns.ca| www.visualarts.ns.ca