Poppy Balser

This is infuriating and so short sighted.

Rally signs from a rally in front of Province house in Halifax. Signs say “the bridge toll is currently thousands of N.S. jobs” and “stop the cuts”

Photo of paper mache rat puppets at a rally against budget cuts to arts and other social programs, held in front of Province house in Halifax N.S.

Protest signs including one says “cut the crap Houston not the arts”.

Protest signs from a rally in downtown Halifax, demonstrating against proposed budget cuts to many social programs These posters show people are unhappy with the premier including one that says “Houston we have a problem. Keep Nova Scotia vibrant. Support arts and culture “

Went to the New Budget Now rally. Amidst the signs, chants & music there was good news: government has walked back SOME cuts.

YET: museums, arts & youth programs, climate action, & much more is still on the chopping block.

Speak out, write your MLAs, keep the pressure on!

#nspoli #nsbudget

Great! Sign making is also on my list for tonight

Great! The more the louder, I mean, merrier!

Oil painting of a cresting wave approaching a rocky shore. Clouds of mist and spray from a previous wave obscure the base of the wave, and fill the air around it.

Here is some art, because art matters and #cultureiscritical

“Inward Rush of the Tide” oil, 10x20”

Thank you so kindly!

Guess I’m off to Halifax again

Deep cuts to education, arts, environment &more

The Premier’s budget priorities show who he thinks matters in the province

Fact is our arts, environment and young people are the beating heart of what makes N.S. our home

Do better, Mr Premier

#nspoli #nsbudget

Mr Axeworthy has a free substack where he shares his opinions based on his extensive experience. It’s well worth subscribing to if you haven’t already.

Watercolour painting by of Carters Beach on the south shore of N.S. This is a much loved Provincial Park.

Arts/community groups NS are facing drastic budget cuts

What to do?

Share with your MLA in specific detail how you will be affected. Use numbers ($ & cents) if you have figures available. Personal stories make a difference.

#nspoli
#novascotiaart
#cultureiscritical
#newbudgetnow

Gouache painting of snowy trees on either side of a sunlit stream in a winter landscape. Gouache is like watercolour but opaque, meaning brushstrokes of gouache paint cover up and hide whatever is underneath.

Bright warm late winter light, hopefully melting all the snow…

Gouache on paper, 9x12”

Thanks, Sujit! Much appreciated!

To this I say

#taxmedaddy

&

The rally was organized by Arts workers who, I am sure, would’ve sooner been doing their joyful work of making art of all kinds instead of standing in the cold, shouting at the walls of Province House, but there we all were

#artworkisrealwork
#artistspaytaxestoo

Watercolour painting of a cloud of spray after a large wave hits the cliffs at Point Prim, NS Mist hangs suspended in the air and water streams off the rocks. Sunlight and shadow make long streaks across the mist.

And now for some art:

“Coastal Drama”, 16x20 inches

Watercolour painting of Point Prim, NS , one of our many wild and beautiful public areas maintained by volunteers and community groups who rely on government funding.

#novascotia #fundthearts #defendns

If you don’t understand why artists, community groups, Black, Indigenous, disabled folks, and more are SO MAD, here’s the math on the mean-spirited austerity budget proposed by the N.S. Premier. Thanks to @joanbaxter.bsky.social for all her terrific reporting!

#nspoli #fundthearts #stopthecuts

I’m glad you were there. I’m sorry I didn’t see you. What a crowd!

Even though I’m not a resident in the city I appreciate the work you do in sharing what goes on in council

Great to see this view from above of part of the crowd protesting cuts to arts funding (and to so much more)

The arts in NS are responsible for more jobs than fishing, agriculture and forestry combined.

Arts workers are workers with jobs who pay taxes just like other workers.

#nspoli

Lots of beautiful creative signs at the protest against the proposed austerity budget. Great to see lots of people out supporting artists of all types!

It was a loud and energetic crowd. Thanks for posting this view!

Agreed! The @halifaxexaminer.ca does great work!

Wonderful! So glad for you!

Watercolour painting of a blueberry field in June. Summer haze lies over the hills in the distance. It is a quiet, peaceful scene. The field is green, the hills are pale green and blue and the sky has a warm glow.

Watercolour painting of an immense cloud over the ocean. Islands and sailboats dot the horizon.

Watercolour painting of two sailboats sailing toward the viewer over blue water. The sailboats are both close hauled on port tacks, heeling slightly due to the pressure of the wind. The white sails shine bright against the green hills of the background

Watercolour painting of the Avon River in the Annapolis Valley. Billowing clouds fill the sky and reflect off the water.

I’ve been nattering on about arts funding cuts. How ‘bout some actual art?

Art, whether painting, writing or music brings joy to our lives. It is necessary.

These are recent #watercolour paintings

Keep the pressure up! Rally tomorrow at the Provincial Legislature at noon, and also locations across the province. See here: visualarts.ns.ca/save-arts-an...

Stop the budget cuts to Arts and Culture:

Liverpool rally Perkins House Museum, 105 Main Street -NOON

New Glasgow rally on 342 Stewart Street at 5:00 pm.

4/4

Stop the budget cuts to Arts and Culture :

Shelburne rally – Meet at The Ross Thomson Museum at NOON (Then walking to MLA Nolan Young’s office at 164 Water Street)

Sydney rally at 360 Prince St at NOON.

Antigonish rally 325 Main St, Suite 222 -NOON

More … 3/4

Stop the budget cuts to Arts and Culture :

Wolfville rally at the Clock Park at 12pm. Meet at 11:30 at University Park.

Annapolis Royal rally at Kings Theatre at NOON.

Truro rally at Civic Square (740 Prince St) at 1 pm.

Yarmouth rally at 396 Main St at NOON.

More… 2/4

Rally at province house March 4 at noon

MARCH 4
Halifax Rally for the Arts: Stop the budget cuts to Arts and Culture on Wednesday, March 4, 12 pm at Province House, 1726 Hollis St, Halifax.

More locations across the province found in thread … 1/4

#nspoli

Planning, graphics from Visual Arts Nova Scotia

visualarts.ns.ca/wp-content/u...

That might be my rally sign for tomorrow

This is lovely.

Poster: SHOULDER TO SHOULDER: We Are All Treaty People Nova Scotia Legislature - Granville St., Kjipuktuk Rally: Tuesday, March 3 - 12:00 p.m. Meet on Granville Street behind the N.S. Legislature building. Bring your community banners, signs, flags and regalia. Bring your drums, songs and prayers. Together, let's tell Tim Houston to stop selling our futures, and demand that he respect the Treaties, our democratic rights and our community voices!

Also next week: Rally in support of Mi’kmaq rights, environmental protections and basic democratic processes.

I guess I’m glad they are back to back for those who have to travel

Sigh

I would rather be painting than fighting all this!