Flight Dreams lands at AGNS Western Branch in Yarmouth

Published on August 12th, 2009

Published on January 31st, 2010

By Carla Allen THE VANGUARD NovaNewsNow.com After a successful showing in Halifax, the Flight Dreams exhibit has landed at the AGNS Western Branch in Yarmouth.

The year 2009 marks two important milestones in Canadian aviation history. Canadians are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first flight in Canada, when Alexander Graham Bell’s “Silver Dart” set-off from Baddeck, Nova Scotia. The 50th anniversary of the cancellation of the Avro Arrow, a supersonic jet-fighter, once slated to become the most powerful in the world is also acknowledged.

With Flight Dreams, the AGNS pays tribute to these outstanding aeronautical achievements, highlighting the creative interplay of imagination and innovation.

Normally an opening reception is held shortly after the installation of an exhibit, but this one will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12 to tie in with the Nova Scotia International Air Show.

For the Sept. 12 opening, Diviney says the art gallery is working closely with representatives from the air show. “We’d like to get some veterans down here for the public reception. As well, our hopes are to reach into some audiences that might not otherwise come down to this space,” he said.

The artifacts provide a glance into the history of flight in Canada. Flight Dreams also includes work by a roster of international artists reflecting on the notion of flight. Working in video, painting, drawing, photography, and mixed-media installation, these artists explore the human desire to fly using the language of contemporary art.

Flight Dreams was originally inspired by the story of Ken Barnes, an outstanding Canadian who loved to draw and dreamed of flying. “I think aviation flight is something that most everyone has a relationship with. Hopefully there’s a little bit of something for everyone here,” said Diviney.

In September the community room will be transformed into an open studio and resource centre where people of all ages are welcome to take part in hands-on art activities—make intricate paper airplanes, conduct experiments in aerodynamics, etc.—or browse through a selection of reading material on aviation and its history. Saturday and Sunday between September 5 and October 4 at 12:00 noon for lunch-time screenings of films that explore the dream of flight.

Flight Dreams will be at the art gallery until October 4.

Flight Dreams

Flight Dreams can be viewed now.

The exhibit’s opening reception will be held Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. during the Nova Scotia International Air Show. Join Ray Cronin, director and CEO, Sarah Fillmore, acting chief curator and curator of exhibitions, and Dale Sheppard, Curator of Flight Dreams in celebrating this exhibition and welcoming the air show to Yarmouth. Refreshments will be served.