Every year, Halifax Public Libraries’ Art Selection Committee collaborates with local artists to transform library walls into galleries. These displays do more than brighten a room—they create opportunities for artists to be recognized, and for communities to see themselves reflected in the spaces they share.
Libraries welcome visitors from every walk of life, and the art on our walls speaks to them all. A quiet corner becomes a showcase of local pride; a bustling hallway becomes a stage for creativity. The result is a Library that is both functional and inspiring—a place where stories live on pages and on canvases alike.
One example comes from Musquodoboit Harbour Public Library, where painter Elizabeth Ingraham is a familiar face. Though painting began as a hobby, it was only after retirement—and a copy of Leisure Painter magazine picked up at the Library—that Elizabeth began to explore her art more seriously. Her work, now displayed at the branch, captures a journey of discovery and practice inspired by the very place that nurtured her creativity.
Stories like Elizabeth’s remind us that art displays are more than decoration. They serve as bridges—linking generations, highlighting legacies, and sparking conversations between neighbours who might not otherwise meet. They provide a launchpad for new artists to gain confidence and for established ones to reach new audiences.
Across the Library system, the diversity of work has been striking. Displays have included pieces from father-daughter duos, retired community members, school groups, and emerging professionals. Each work is different, but together they reflect Halifax Public Libraries’ mission: to bring neighbourhoods together and celebrate the shared fabric of community life.
As one staff member put it, “Every piece of art has a ripple effect. People stop, ask questions, and leave with a new perspective. That’s what libraries are all about.”
This story was originally shared as part of Halifax Public Libraries' 2024-25 Annual Report. Read the full report and explore more, here.
Add a comment to: Walls that Talk: Art & Identity in Library Spaces