Meaghan Smith/Ryan MacGrath Concert tonight.

Today is a big day on our festival schedule with the concert at St Luke's Church in Upper Tantallon. There are still tickets available so if you haven't made plans yet you can pay at the door.

The church is very easy to find and is just 20 minutes from the Armdale round-a-bout. Take highway 103 from Halifax to exit 5. Turn left at the top of the exit ramp and follow Hammonds Plainds Road to the end. Turn right and go straight at the lights at route 333 and continue for about 1 km. You will see St Luke's on your left.

View Larger Map

See you tonight.

A Day to Visit Our Festival Exhibits

Today is a busy day as we prepare for the Meaghan Smith/Ryan McGrath tomorrow night today. It is going to be a great one. Great music, great door prizes (think music, hammocks, art) in a great setting.

We have several exhibits of local art you may want to drop in on today:

At Jo Beale Gallery in Peggy's Cove: Several local artists display there. Featured artists today are Sarah Irwin and Leya Evelyn.

At Oceanstone Cafe in Indian Harbour: The photography of Roger Morin.  The cafe is a new concept at Oceanstone. I had lunch there a day or two ago and it was excellent! Drop in, enjoy Roger's photography - it is truly amazing what he sees through the lens of a camera - and a tasty lunch or coffee break.

At the Finer Diner: Lee Fraser is the guest artist today. He will be on the Ice Cream Deck with his wonderful and realistic paintings. As always, Sarah Irwin, co-owner of the diner - has a selection of her wonderful art on display in the diner. Another opportunity to enjoy lunch in an art filled atmosphere.

And then there is Mother Nature's Art Gallery. Take your time driving around our area, stop often to savour the beauty we are surrounded by. It will lift your spirit and brighten your day.

And looking towards the weekend: You could win this painting during our Open Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday.

A Busy Day Today

Festival Events:

10 am to 4 pm, At The Finer Diner: Photographer Joanne McCarthy will be showing her photographs and art cards on the ice cream deck.

6 pm to 9 pm, at Shining Waters Marina: Art and Hamachi Sushi night. Eight or so artists will be displaying their work (including a Japanese Calligraphy artist) and a Hamachi Sushi chef will be preparing and serving sushi. More info here

8 pm at 7143 St Margaret's Bay Rd: A house concert featuring Maple Blues winner Thom Swift. $20/person. Pay at the door.

Come on out and have some fun!

This Weekend: Come Celebrate the Art of our Area With Us

What a spectacular weekend it is going to be in The Peggy's Cove Area. We couldn't ask for a better way to kick of our festival.

Shining Waters Marina hosting Canada Day fireworks at 10pm

Kayak out to Clam Island From Shining Waters

The Aspotogan Peninsula in the distance 

And there is a lot going on this weekend:

ArtScapes: 15 Local Artists will be displaying and selling their work at St Luke's Church, Upper Tantallon. Watch for their signs. Show hours are:  June 30 - Opening 7pm to 9pm

                                   July 1  10 am to 8 pm 

                                  July 2   10 am to 6 pm

                                  July 3   10 am to 4 pm

Artisans on the Ice Cream Deck at the Finer Diner: 

July 1 Joyce Brooks: Joyce is showing her sewing. She makes a wide variety of handmade things, from baby bibs, to scarves and handbags!

July 2 Mary Jane Lundy: Mary Jane has been throwing pots and making hand built clay sculptures for many years. Come and see her down by the sea creations, and get an up close view as she demonstrates her skills.

July 3 Irene Jollimore:  Showing a wide variety of things knitted both with and without a pattern, Irene makes and sells the best socks in the world. 

The Finer Diner will be open until 7 pm and is a great spot to enjoy a casual lunch on the deck overlooking Hacketts Cove.

Exhibit of the Photography of Roger Morin:

8 am to 3 pm at the Cafe at Oceanstone Inn and Cottages in Indian Harbour. Learn more about Roger and view some of his amazing photography here. The Cafe at Oceanstone is new. I dropped in on Wednesday for lunch and it is excellent. It will be a perfect weekend to dine on their lovely deck and soak up some sun.

Celebrate Canada Day at Shining Waters Marina:

July 1 2011 6 pm to 8 pm - Shining Waters Marina will be hosting a Canada Day Party to celebrate the opening of our festival. Drop by for nibbles, drinks and to view and meet some of the artists who are participating in the festival and view examples of their art. Andrew Tremaine will host an open mic during the evening - if you are a local musician and would like to show your stuff email events@shiningwaters.ca to book a time.

And, don't miss Paint Peggy's Cove:

On July 2 and 3 2011 several artists will be Painting Peggy's Cove. During these two days, between 10 am and 4 pm, you will find them scattered through out the village depicting what they see in which ever medium they work.
On Sunday July 3 from 5 to 7 pm you may view and purchase their finished work at an art sale at the Old Red School House.

Jo Beale Gallery:

While in Peggy's Cove be sure to drop in to Jo Beale Gallery. Sarah Irwin is the feature artist this weekend and Leya Evelyn has an exhibit opening there on July 3rd, just before the sale of the work by Paint Peggy's Cove artists. It is going to be a busy day at Jo's. Lots of fun.

More things to do in our area here

Photographer Joanne McCarthy

Joanne McCarthy is a "come from away" Nova Scotia photographer who grew up enchanted by the stunning compositions found in Life and National Geographic magazines. She is now drawn to the natural beauty of her new surroundings in the St. Margaret's Bay area. Joanne has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from York University, Ontario. She has also dabbled in printmaking, book arts and drawing. You'll find her photo cards at White Sails Bakery (Tantallon), Argyle Fine Art Gallery (Halifax) and Trilogy Gallery (Mahone Bay).

Follow Joanne's work at www.flickr.com/photos/eastcoastshutterbug/

Joanne will be showing and demonstrating at Bay Hammocks during our Open Studio Weekend and is the featured Artisian on the Ice Cream Deck the Finer Diner in Hackett's Cove on July 6th

Jo Beale Gallery

When visiting Peggy's Cove Jo Beale Gallery is the place to go to see a wide range of art by local artists.

Jo Beale Gallery, Peggy's Cove

Every week throughout the summer Jo features a different artist, with an exhibit opening each Sunday. During our festival three local artists will be exhibited:

June 26 to July 9 2011 - Sarah Irwin - meet the artist, June 26, 2 to 4 pm
July 3 to 15 2011 - Leya Evelyn - meet the artist, July 3, 2 to 4 pm
July 10 to July 22, 2011 - Andrea Redmond, "Flocking to Peggy's Cove" - meet the artist, July 10, 2 to 4 pm

Also, Jo Beale Gallery will host the wine and cheese and exhibit and sale of the work of the artists who "Paint Peggy's Cove" July 2 and 3, 2011, 5 pm to 7 pm. You are invited to drop in, chat with the artists, view and purchase their work.

Ivan Fraser Gallery

A visit to Ivan's gallery and museum is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Ivan is an artist, photographer, author and storyteller was born and raised in Nova Scotia. Through paintings and photography he shares quiet inlets as well as the awesome power and majesty of the sea. His speciality is scenes of Peggy's Cove.

Ivan's latest endeavour is bringing Peggy's Cove Legend to reality through song, books, dolls, museum and storytelling. His popular Childhood Home Museum and exuberant storytelling is capturing hearts... hungry for details of the mysterious and charming Peggy. A mix of facts, blended with colorful tales and characters, take you back to the days of Peggy of the Cove. Hear it all and enjoy the friendly Maritime hospitality at Ivan's Childhood Home Museum. 

Ivan's gallery is on our studio tour - Sunday only