A group in Yarmouth isn’t taking the closure of the art gallery lightly.
The Friends of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Western Branch protested outside the building on Main Street Saturday.
They say they feel blindsided after the board in Halifax decided to permanently close the branch due to costs.
Linda Coakley with the group says she’s saddened.
“Welcoming the bus loads of children as they came through the door with all their cheerful chatter, to see the hushed quiet as they came into such a beautiful place. That’s what I’m going to miss terribly,” said Coakley.
Friends of the Art Gallery of N.S. Western Branch protest outside the building on Main Street in Yarmouth on May 11, 2024 (Acadia News)
Stacey Stenabaugh has a son who attended an art program for autistic children.
She says the art gallery is going to be missed.
“It was a place for people in the community to get together, and to get to know each other. We build a village of people who are affected by autism. Now with this closure, it was very hush-hush. One day it was here, the next it was gone,” said Stenabaugh.
Yarmouth MLA and Liberal leader Zach Churchill was also on hand, and wants the government to step in and save the art gallery.
He says Yarmouth is a centre for arts and culture.
“I’m happy to see the support for the art gallery here. We’re hosting the World Acadian Congress this summer, we could have showcased so much Acadian and local art here. This was a sneaky move, we need the government’s help, especially Colton LeBlanc to keep this open,” said Churchill.
The province owns the building, it will still serve as a Visitor Information Centre.
No employees are affected by the closure.
The Western branch became a seasonal location in 2020, after being open year-round since 2006.
Yarmouth MLA and Liberal leader Zach Churchill attends a protest over the closure of the Art Gallery of N.S. Western Branch in Yarmouth on May 11, 2024 (Acadia News)