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<\/a>The Backlands Coalition is bringing the unique urban wilderness of the Halifax Backlands across the harbour to art and nature fans in Dartmouth! Through the works of eight talented local artists, \u201cThe Backlands\u201d exhibition offers an exceptional glimpse into the area\u2019s stunning natural landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife.<\/p>\nAugust 11 to September 28, 2025<\/strong> From Chase to Case<\/strong>: Curated by Frances Dorsey, the exhibition is a fresh twist on the successful \u201cBacklands Suites\u201d show held in April at the Chase Gallery in the Nova Scotia Archives. The new show in Dartmouth includes these visual artists, working in a range of media:<\/p>\n Each artist employs a particular vision for channeling their investigations of the Backlands, created over time and deep familiarity with the terrain. Collectively the drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptural explorations and weavings speak and echo back to one another, forming a resonating choral voice.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Avid birdwatcher Joshua Barss Donham<\/strong> is taken by the granite outcroppings, whalebacks, remains of early forest burns, and delicate forest plants of the Backlands. His evocative photographs of birds and ecosystems are both seductive and poignant.<\/em> The diversity in approach of the visual artists echoes the multifaceted richness of the Backlands, and the other wild spaces around our city. This collection of works is just a taste of the reflections of many additional visual artists, musicians, writers, dancers, philosophers, scientists, thinkers, humans who equally derive joy, inspiration and a delight in existence from experiencing these spaces.<\/p>\n We hope that viewers will be moved to visit and consider the Backlands, and join in the efforts to cherish and protect this and other such areas around HRM from further development, so that future generations can experience the same wonder that we do today.<\/p>\n The Backlands Coalition<\/strong> is a volunteer-led organization of 12 local community and conservation groups. We bring together dedicated naturalists, citizen-scientists, biologists, birders, conservationists, business owners, residents and artists. Join us to experience the wonder of these 1,350 hectares of unique forests, sculpted granite barrens and rare ecosystems, bordered by Purcell\u2019s Cove Road, Herring Cove Road and Williams Lake Road.<\/p>\n For artwork images and to arrange interviews with the artists or curator throughout August and September, please contact: Marla Cranston, (902) 210-5547, marla.cranston@gmail.com<\/p>\n Learn more about the Backlands Coalition and our affiliated community groups: www.backlandscoalition.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Join us on social media: <\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Instagram @backlandscoalition<\/a><\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Facebook @BacklandsCoalition<\/a> \u00a0<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bluesky @backlandscoalition.bsky.social<\/a><\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 X @HfxBacklands<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Forwarded by Marla Cranston: The Backlands Coalition is bringing the unique urban wilderness of the Halifax Backlands across the harbour to art and nature fans in Dartmouth! Through the works of eight talented local artists, \u201cThe Backlands\u201d exhibition offers an … Continue reading
\nIn the Case Galleries at The Craig Galler<\/strong>y (window galleries just outside the main gallery)
\nAlderney Landing Community Cultural Centre
\n2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth
\nGallery\u2019s exhibition info: alderneylanding.com\/events\/the-backlands<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u00b7 The Backlands behind Frances Dorsey<\/strong>\u2019s home are a constant reminder of the natural world lying inches beyond the door. Woven compositions inspired by the terrain with particular attention to the astonishing glacial erratics question glacial, and human, time.<\/em>
\n\u00b7 Jennifer Escott<\/strong> observes intently, photographing the minute world of tiny plants on the forest floor, offering fascinating and wonderfully strange organisms that are a miniature universe teeming with life. We are invited to see the world in a grain of sand.<\/em>
\n\u00b7 Painting primarily in the en plein air technique, Geoffrey Grantham<\/strong> connects with the raw surrounding landscape in a very personal way. The intimacy of this relationship affords him a profound and rewarding experience.<\/em>
\n\u00b7 Ron Kuwahara<\/strong> brings the mind of the physicist, highly respectful of the forces of nature, to the spirit of the artist who sees the harmony and beauty of the natural world. His paintings explore patterns of light and shadow with splashes of abstracted colour.<\/em>
\n\u00b7 In an abstract and minimalist style using paper and cardboard, Frankie Macauley<\/strong> references the topography of the McIntosh Run trails with three-dimensional sculptures.<\/em>
\n\u00b7 The charming story Rumie goes Rafting by children\u2019s author Meghan Marentette<\/strong> was created using tiny handmade puppets and props, photographed in real life surroundings in the Backlands.<\/em>
\n\u00b7 Painter Christopher Webb<\/strong> describes the Backlands as \u201ca space beyond utility\u2013a terrain shaped by time, resilience and natural forces rather than human intervention.\u201d His carefully rendered images of human encroachment on this space note fragility but also a kind of hopefulness that nature will in the end win.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n