The Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia (BANNS) is a professional artist association that seeks to develop African-Nova Scotian professional artists, encourage excellence in their art practice and increase the representation of these artists in the province’s (and Canada’s) mainstream public arts and cultural institutions, programming and collections. 

BANNS Black History Month Exhibits 2026:

BANNS MEMBERS ART EXHIBITION: ART FROM AND ABOUT PRESTON (COMMUNITIES OF CHERRY BROOK/LAKE LOON, EAST PRESTON, NORTH PRESTON)
Justin Augustine, Al Chaddock, Edith Colley, Clara Gough, Melinda Clayton Patterson
Curated by David Woods
Mic Mac Mall Dartmouth- 2nd floor entrance
Viewing hours: Mon-Sun during mall regular hours

BANNS MEMBER ART EXHIBITION:
PAINTINGS BY KEMI ADEYEMI-WILSON
Zatzman Sportplex,
110 Wyse Rd. Dartmouth
Viewing hours Mon-Sun during centre's regular hours

David Woods is multi-disciplinary artist and writer (curator, storyteller, poet, playwright, painter and arts organizer) who has been an important figure on the Nova arts scene for over three decades.  He is the founding organizer of several African Nova Scotian cultural organizations including Cultural Awareness Youth Group (1983), Black History Month Association (1989), Voices Black Theatre Ensemble (1990) Black Artists' Network of Nova Scotia (1992), and the North Preston Cultural Association (1999). He served as Program Director of the Black United Front of Nova Scotia (1982-83) and the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia (1988-89).  In 1984, Woods organized a program of activities celebrating Black History Month for the Halifax City Library. This first program was so successful it led to a larger annual celebration of Black History Month activities across the province. Other positions held by David include Program Consultant for the Halifax City Regional Library (1984-1992); Coordinator Artist In Schools Program for Halifax City (1990-91); Cultural Development Officer, Department of Canadian Heritage (1999); and Associate Curator Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (2006-2007). Woods has been the primary curator of exhibitions exploring African Nova Scotian art including In This Place 1998- the first exhibition of African Nova Scotian art (1998), When Black Women Useta' Fly- the first exhibition of African Nova Scotian quilts (2002) and Incantation: The Art of Africville- the first exhibition of art from and about Africville. Woods own work explores his childhood in North Preston and his travels to African Nova Scotian communities which he began in 1978 seeking a source of inspiration for his art. His paintings have appeared in exhibitions across Canada including at Power Plant Gallery, Toronto; McGill University, Montreal; Vancouver East Cultural Centre, Vancouver; and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax. His paintings have also been used to illustrate projects by prominent African Canadian artists including the CD jacket of Joe Sealy’s Africville Suite (1996 Juno Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Recording), In Service a film by Maxine Tynes-Lulu Keating film (1990), and covers of his own books and other literary books. He is the winner of l local and national arts and literary awards including the Nova Scotia Poetry Award 88; National Black Poetry Competition First Place Prize 98; George Elliott Clarke Literary Award 98; Best Original Drama, Best Script Awards 2015 Atlantic Fringe Festival; Canada Council Millennium Arts Award 2000; and the 2016 Harry Jerome Award.

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