Arts and Culture

Rich in art, music and culture, Pictou County boasts incredibly talented artisans and performers who not only share their talents locally but some have gone on to national and even international spotlights. Take in a show or a performance in Pictou at the deCoste Performing Arts Centre or in New Glasgow at Glasgow Square Theatre. Check out Art at Night, a unique event where the streets of downtown New Glasgow are shut down for local artists, performers and artisans to showcase their talents at this annual celebration of art, community and culture. Downtown New Glasgow closes to traffic so pedestrians can stroll leisurely to see all varieties of art and performance, put on display by community members. Get connected with creative minds by joining Creative Pictou County, a united voice working to promote and support arts and artists in Pictou County. Craft groups like the Little Harbour Hookers (rug hooking), and Thistle Quilt Guild in Westville not only showcase their talented creations, but also bring people together to share their common passions. You can find displays of locally created art throughout the community, whether in competition at the Pictou-North Colchester Exhibition, or locally at the New Glasgow Farmers’ Market with vendors from across the county featuring artisans like Denise Lynch, who makes stunning pottery creations) or Janet Wallace who uses her paintbrush to capture colour, community, and advocacy with every stroke. Musical talent is limitless in Pictou County, with a long tradition of strong music programs in the school systems, run by incredibly talented teachers, as well as opportunities to join band, choir or musical theatre. There are community productions and live theatre performances like the annual Lismore Dinner Theatre and the Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre’s Slut: The Play. The Pictou Rotary Club’s annual musical brings beloved shows to soldout crowds at the deCoste Centre each spring. LOOKING TO LEARN OR PLAY? There are teachers throughout the community providing lessons such as Centre for Music on Summit, or many out of their homes and in their living rooms. No matter your preferred style, there are skilled teachers for students of classical, jazz, rock, musical theatre and even the bagpipes. An incredible showcase of local talent can be enjoyed during the New Glasgow Music Festival which is the longest-running music festival in Canada, or enjoy First Nation drumming and dancing at Pictou Landing First Nation’s annual Mawio’mi. We have dance studios and private classes from ballet, to modern dancing, line dancing and more at places like Morrell Dance Company, Ashlei Ballet and Miss Carla’s Dance. Enjoy the thunderous sounds of African drumming and dancing at a workshop at our local library, or feel the beat of the drums and the sounds of the bagpipes during a parade, practice or performance from Na Gaisgich Pipe and Drum Band or Pictou County Pipes Join or catch a and Drums. performance of the talented Pictou County Community Orchestra. Find them on Facebook

PICTOU COUNTY PLAYLIST We invite you to check out these musicians and artists who are either from, or have a connection to Pictou County. Maybe someday we will see you on this list!

Dave Gunning The Kitchen Criminals JP Cormier Pictou County Pop John ‘Spyder’ MacDonald Classics Marcel d’Entremont MacKeel Doris Mason The Stanfields Alert the Medic George Canyon Wintersleep JD Fortune The Strange Valentines Sandbox Leah and Kyle – The Collective

HIDDEN GEM Located in Abercrombie, the Crombie House displays the Sobey Foundation’s expertly curated collection of Canadian Art

LOCAL FIDDLER, AMELIA PARKER

CROMBIE HOUSE | GROUP OF SEVEN | LAWREN HARRIS | LAKE REFLECTIONS

MARTIN CERAMIC AFRICAN DRUMMING CIRCLE AT GLASGOW SQUARE