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* Please Note * The 7Arts space has been designed to comply with Nova Scotia’s Public Health guidelines. This requires that all participants over the age of 11 provide proof of vaccination for events in our studio.

Welcome to 7Arts!

You can find us at 619 Central Avenue, Greenwood, Nova Scotia.
Our space is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12pm to 4pm.
Check out our calendar for special events, lessons, and workshops.
Contact us to book a private function or find out more!

7Arts – NOVA Seven Arts Council

7Arts is a community art space located in Greenwood, Nova Scotia. We engage our local community by providing an inclusive, welcoming, accessible, and creative space.  

Our MISSION is to teach, support and promote the Arts and art education.

Our VISION is to advance the public’s appreciation and understanding of the Arts in the Greenwood and Kingston area. Our goal is to establish partnerships with community, government, and social groups to ensure every person has access to the healing power of creativity.

Mandate

  • Providing a family-friendly space that offers multi-generational activities;
  • Offering artists a place to share their love for art by creating and displaying their own pieces in our studio;
  • Providing lessons, classes, and workshops where people of all skill levels can explore their creative side;
  • Promoting positive mental health by introducing creative outlets in a group setting for reduced social isolation; and
  • Introducing the therapeutic benefits of art as a healing tool in a studio or gallery setting.

Values

Accountable – We appreciate your support, and we manage our resources responsibly.

Respect – We welcome our entire community. Our space is inclusive, wheelchair accessible, and fosters an environment of diversity.

Teamwork – We encourage participants to work together instead of in competition.

Artists vision 2018

  • sketch of artist vision for gallery wall
  • sketch of artist vision for makers space drawing
  • sketch of artist vision for coffee area

Sketches created by Amber Noella Art

Our Permanent Location in Greenwood

image of 7Arts shop frontage

Photo credit Amber Juby

About Us

7Arts – NOVA Seven Arts Council

Our organization is enhancing and invigorating the local community by encouraging people of all ages and abilities to discover their creative potential through artistic expression.

2021

  • photo of shelving in makersspace at 7Arts
  • photo of shelving in makersspace at 7Arts

2020

  • youth art lessons class photo credit Amber Juby

2019

  • In March, we found our permanent home at the Avery’s building in Greenwood! Renovations began in June and our first open house was in November!
  • Partnered with the Village of Kingston to provide several family friendly art events at the Annual Steer BBQ. Artist Amber Juby designed a community mural which was created by Youth Art Lesson Club and community members. The N.O.V.A. Club created a Silent Auction and the volunteers hosted a family rock painting & scavenger hunt event. A wonderful way to bring Art to all ages & interests.
  • Recipient of ACCESS-ability grant from Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage to create accessible bathrooms.
  • Recipient of a two grants from the Municipality of County of Kings.
  • Photo of banner at Greenwood Mall
  • image of mural

2018

  • NOVA SEVEN ARTS COUNCIL (NSAC) is a new non-profit organization registered and incorporated with the Province of Nova Scotia.
  • With the support of Common Good Solutions and Valley REN, we created a socially conscious business model and plan.
  • Events are held throughout the community, starting at the Greenwood Mall, where we partnered with many local businesses, to introduce 7Arts.
  • Photo of 7Arts Board of Directors 2019
7Arts Established

Board of Directors

President – Amber Juby is a Visual Artist with a background in finance, retail industry and corporate insurance.  She has a diploma in The Fine Arts from Fanshawe College. In the past few years, she has been teaching art lessons and facilitating art events for local fundraisers.  During this time, the community has expressed a need for a space, where they can gather together & create. Art is very important to the human experience and general well being and Art Therapy is becoming more mainstream everyday.

Vice-President – Stephanie De Genova is an entrepreneur, Photographer, and Youth Support Worker.  As an artistic mother of two very talented girls, she knows the value of introducing the Arts at an early age.  Exposure early on can improve educational outcomes by improving fine motor skills, accelerate brain development, improve self-esteem and relieve stress.  These benefits transfer to different ages as well. A place dedicated to art education and creative expression would allow the entire community to work together.

Corporate Secretary – Sarah Shortliffe is a military spouse, mother, has a Master’s Degree in Fine Art History, and has a background specifically in art restoration. She is a professional illustrator, the creative mind behind Pen and Inkling producing a large variety of whimsical illustrations. Sarah brings a wealth knowledge and creativity to 7arts. She teaches a variety of classes, makes some great art kits and organizes the class and event schedules.

Treasurer – Jane Beals grew up in the Annapolis Valley and has a diverse background in arts, education and finance. She fell in love with 7Arts after teaching paint pouring for their first open house in November 2019.  She is a multi-talented artist, who works in a plethora of mediums including but not limited to alcohol ink, acrylic, epoxy resin, oil, soap stone and mixed media.  Her second passion is numbers and making them balance, therefore she took on the bookkeeping/treasurer role in June of 2021.

Director – Cindy Wezenbeek is a retired military member and military spouse, with a very diverse background. Cindy has been running her own business as a Professional Project Manager and Organizer since 2016 and brought her business to Nova Scotia in 2019. Her collection of skills and knowledge have been an enormous help through the major renovations that had taken place inside the 7Arts building in 2019 and she continues to lend her support and expertise in improving the design and function of the 7Arts Art Centre.

Director – Penny Hughes has been with 7Arts from the beginning. Although Penny is not an artist herself, she enjoys creating art with others and believed in Amber’s vision, recognising the need to have a dedicated art space in the Greenwood area. Her favourite art form is music. Penny played the trumpet in high school, sang in several choirs over the years and most recently was learning to play the piano. She also loves dancing, and was a Zumba instructor for several years, combining music and dance! Penny also enjoys reading and through her studies to become a Library & Information Technician, developed a new found love of poetry.

Youth Board Member – Danielle Wezenbeek is an extremely talented artist. She moved to the Annapolis Valley with her family from Victoria BC in 2019, when her father was posted to 14 Wing. She has already begun to make quite a name for herself selling several paintings at Pascalice’s bistro, the International Women’s Day Youth Art Showcase last spring and in doing commissions in pet portraiture.

board members sketch
Caricature of Founding Members created by Miche:
Order left to right Steph, Tanya, Miche, Amber.  Lower row Melanie, Penny & Tom.

Programs and Services

7Arts aims to provide programs and services in the areas of Paint, Draw, Photograph, Write, Music, Design, and Craft. In our studio, you will find opportunities for:

  • Art Gallery exhibit
  • Private parties
  • Hosting an exhibit
  • Learning new skills
  • Private lessons
  • Workshops
  • Makers Space
  • Birthday parties
  • Cultural crafts
  • Paint nights
  • Youth drop in
  • Yarn crafts
  • Jam sessions
  • Creative writing
  • Graphic design
  • Community events
  • and so much more!!

Current community events, workshops, fundraisers, lessons and more, can be found on our events calendar. We look forward to seeing you soon!