Who we are
The Centre for Craft Nova Scotia is comprised of several parts: the Mary E Black Gallery, Courses, Studios, and Residencies.
We use these parts as tools to help promote Nova Scotian crafts people’s careers. The Mary E Black Gallery allows the opportunity to exhibit new craft, and the Courses and Residencies we offer in our Studios offer a chance to learn real skills to make.
The Centre for Craft Nova Scotia
The Centre for Craft Nova Scotia was established in 1991 as a public institution dedicated to education, promotion and the provision of opportunity for Nova Scotia artisans and artists. The Centre for Craft Nova Scotia is managed by the not for profit organization Craft Nova Scotia.
The Mary E. Black Gallery
The Mary E. Black Gallery within the Centre is Nova Scotia’s only public gallery with a fine craft mandate and hosts local, regional, national and international fine craft exhibitions year round. The exhibitions, publications and educational programs of our Gallery reflect historical and contemporary expressions, both regionally and nationally, and promote fine craft that embodies the energy and innovative spirit of Mary E. Black (1896 – 1988), the province’s first craft administrator, a noted weaver and author. The mandate of the Mary E. Black Gallery is to present exhibitions which educate the public about craft and design, and to promote the pursuance of excellence in the craft community.
Courses
With well-equipped studios in pottery, jewellery and metal, woodworking, textiles, and multi-purpose, we offer courses to the public in fall, winter and spring semesters.
Residencies
Our studios house several unique craft-focused residencies for emerging artists and craftspeople to develop their skills in a professional setting beyond traditional training centres.