From Show to Society
The Nova Scotia Art & Craft Sale began in 2012. In 2022 the show was moved from the original location to a bigger and brighter new venue. Following the success of that move, and to enable further growth, the The Nova Scotia Art & Craft Show Society was registered in January, 2023.
The Nova Scotia Art and Craft Show Society
The objective of the Nova Scotia Art & Craft Show Society is to encourage, elevate, and promote the artisan and craft maker community in Nova Scotia and increase the public awareness and appreciation of handcrafted products and activities.
To achieve these objectives, the Society will:
- Engage in activities such as craft shows and workshops to enhance the professionalism, education and advancement of the artisan and craft maker community in Nova Scotia.
- Develop and encourage the highest standards for handmade shows and markets in Nova Scotia.
- Provide marketing opportunities for artisans and craft makers of Nova Scotia.
- Encourage connection and community among the local artisans and craft makers.
- Foster an appreciation, and increase public education in the value of, handmade goods created by artisans and craft makers of Nova Scotia.
- Encourage the production and marketing of handcrafted products in Nova Scotia.
About the Show
Our Craft Show features the curated work of talented makers and artisans, entering its 13th year in 2024.
Our History
In 2012 Ann Dease and Lawrence Spencer worked together to develop a craft show that would provide local makers a venue to showcase, and sell their wares. Dedicated to only handmade items, the Nova Scotia Art and Craft Sale was born. In order to also support the wider community, a raffle was conducted at each show with proceeds going to the Lions Christmas Express and Lions Club. For 10 years this curated event hosted artists and crafts people at the Waverley Legion.
In 2019 Ann and Lawrence took a step back for a much deserved break. The Nova Scotia Art & Craft Sale was carried on by a small but enthusiastic group of volunteers from the local community led by Miranda Jordan, an experienced international craft show producer who had recently moved to the province. Wanting to jump in and be involved in her new community, Miranda answered the call for someone to take over managing the show.
Following the success of the 2019 show we were rearing to go again, but as it happened we were unable to conduct a show in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The show returned again in 2021 and was so overwhelmingly successful it was time to acknowledge we had outgrown our old location.
in 2022 we secured a brand new, larger event venue where we now are able to host more local makers in a beautiful purpose built venue. The 11th annual show was a new chapter in our evolution, retaining all the quality and variety of past shows but now able to offer larger spaces for our makers to adequately display their goods and larger aisles for the comfort of our shoppers.
To enable further growth, The Nova Scotia Art and Craft Show Society was registered in January, 2023. The 12th annual show was the first held under the new official society name.
