UPDATE 2025:
UPDATE: Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival 2025 – Latest North American Folk Art – New Memories
Posted on August 4, 2025.
Lunenburg War Memorial Arena, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Sunday, August 3, 2025.
The Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival took place on August 3, 2025, at the Lunenburg War Memorial Arena, celebrating the rich tapestry of folk art and culture that defines the province of Nova Scotia.
This vibrant event showcases a diverse array of local artisans, each presenting their unique creations that reflect the region’s heritage and artistic traditions.
Attendees can expect an engaging atmosphere filled with live local music, interactive workshops, and captivating exhibitions that highlight the talent and creativity of folk artists.
“The Folk Festival has grown from 20 artists in a field in Blockhouse in 1989 to 50-60 participants in the Arena. Collectors from all provinces, the USA and Europe visit us!”
Atlantic Coast Lighthouse Folk Painting by Mary Lee Burhoe
“Folk Crafting is spontaneous, the product of free time, readily available materials and a sense of humour. It tends to be whimsical & engaging, wry at times, but more often refreshing. Its shapes are simple, its colours primary and its subjects familiar. Folk crafting is a personal statement, a reflection of what the artist actually feels through his/her life experiences.”
Three Churches of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, folk art
“Unlike some forms of fine art, folk crafts often have a practical purpose, such as decorating household items or creating tools.”
“Folk crafting knowledge and techniques are typically passed down through families or within a community, ensuring the continuation of traditions.”
Two Puffins – Mary Lee Burhoe painting
During courtship, Puffins engage in “Kissing” or “Billing,” where they rub their beaks together.
“I love Puffins. They are small, round gothic birds, and their babies are called Pufflings.” – Caitlin Moran
“Best Lunenburg Folk Art Festival Yet!”
True avid Folk Crafting fans were lined up to get into The NS Folk Art Festival opening at Noon. From the Lunenburg War Memorial Arena and around the block. At Noon, fans of all things Folk walked in the door and spread out happily among the colourful booths…
Here’s Mary Lee’s FOLK ART UPDATE of the Nova Scotia Folk Festival held in Lunenburg, August 3, 2025…
A Down-Home Girl with her memories–inspired Folk paintings…
Mary Lee says:
“Nice to see the Artists from last year. Especially the ones in close-by booths. Neighbours got to be neighbours again. And the new artists with new works.”
“Lots of live Country Music!”
“Got to meet lots of visitors who shared their own stories. Some from Nova Scotia — some from Away. A Day of Smiles and Celebration — all things Country!”
“It was great! More people than last year.”
“Every work here was personal and unique. And yet everyone here, artist, buyer and visitor, seemed to share a wonderful Down-Home spirit.”
See Mary Lee’s First (2024) Nova Scotia Folk Art Festival Memories: Outsider Art & Seascapes of Mary Lee Burhoe
YOU CAN SEE MORE OF MARY LEE’S NOVA SCOTIA FOLK ART AT Etsy.com/ca/shop/RaggedIslandStudio
A Detail of PEGGY’S COVE, a Maritime Folk Painting by Mary Lee Burhoe, Ragged Island Studio
Visit NS Folk Art Festival at their website. You can also find them on Facebook. Learn about next year’s Festival at their folk art center.
Maud Lewis paintings established modern Nova Scotia folk art as a popular style. Maud Lewis worked in a rural form that reveals individual creativity.
They tell the artists’ unique stories in bright sunshiny colours. No two self-taught artists are alike. Each one tells their own story, from their own perspective.
“Despite her recognition, Maud never had a museum exhibition, nor was her work collected by art galleries or museum during her lifetime.”
Peggy’s Cove is a small rural community located on the eastern shore of St. Margaret’s Bay on the Atlantic Coast, site of Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse (est. 1868).
