Sea, art combine in man’s gallery dream

BY BRENT FOX

Kings County Register

It’s the realization of a dream for one long-time Kings County artist: a love of the sea and the Valley, now combined with a gallery in an artistic community mere metres from one of the smallest registered ports in the world.

Edwin Hollett is noted for his vibrant ships and seascapes.

He recently opened The Sea Mist Gallery on Front Street, Wolfville.

The significance of the new gallery’s location is not lost on Hollett. There is the port status, but also the fact the community was a shipbuilding centre and home to a number of shipbuilders and sea captains during the age of sail.

The gallery is small but intimate, exuding the nautical flavor of the majority of Hollett’s works.

“This was one of my dreams,” Hollett says. “I’ve always wanted to try this.”

He has had a small seasonal gallery in Centreville, but this operation is year-round and in an urban setting.

A number of Hollett’s works portray ship construction; a striking one of a Hantsport shipbuilding site in 1890 stands out at the gallery. Ship scenes include the sailing ship E.J. Spicer of the1800s and the tall ships.

Wharf scenes are very much in evidence, including vintage ones of Wolfville in the 1800s, Kingsport in the 1930s and a captivating night view of Hall’s Harbour in the 1890s.

Hollett doesn’t, however, confine his work to ships and the sea. Working from vintage photos and other research, he has created a series of historic streetscapes of Valley towns such as Wolfville and Kentville.

“I like to provide the historical point of view,” Hollett says.

His works also include wildlife - such as eagles, and even such things as a horse race. The vast majority of his work shows movement or anticipated movement.

Hollett works mostly in watercolours and acrylics, with some oils. Many of his works are offered in prints, as well.

Hollett has a deep knowledge of the visual arts, including work with film and operating a custom signage business.