In early February 2025, it was announced that Heidi was awarded the Artist Residency Program for the Port Bickerton Lighthouse Association. This residency program is designed to offer a period of quiet seclusion and reflection to established artists working on their craft. The residency offers a time to re-group from busy schedules with uninterrupted time for creative exploration and experimentation. The residency is located in Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore Region within the rural town of Port Bickerton, along the Atlantic Ocean.
Artist Vision for the Residency
Heidi’s goal for this residency is to foster connection to this land through mindful moments within nature. There are “visions of sitting along the rocky coast, with wind in my hair, fog rolling over the shoreline, being grounded as I sit on the moss-mixed grass to soak up the feelings of this place and the inspiration of its landscape”. There are hopes to engage in solitude-enhanced reflection, capture those moments on canvas and do justice to the land’s beauty. Heidi’s artistic vision for this artist residency is to connect with the land around the Lighthouse to showcase its character and creatures on canvas.
Residency Program Plan
Throughout the residency there will be three community engagement opportunities.
- Nature Walk & Artist Talk: A guide walked along one of the Lighthouse’s nature trails through the forest and along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the walk, the group will engage in artist talk (including tips for taking reference photos for later creative expression), bird watching, bird count, and nature conservation.
- No registration required. All are welcome. See detailed information below
- Remarque Workshop: Heidi will host a Remarque workshop where all registered participants will work on their own Remarque which will be based on one of Heidi’s original paintings. Participants will be provided with one archival art print and acrylic paint supplies to creatively express themselves in making their own unique remarque print.
- Registration Required: Enroll by completing the registration form below or by emailing info@hhollowayart.com by May 30, 2025. See detailed information below.
- Final Exhibition: Opening Reception will be held at Gallery 17 (Sherbrook Culture Club) on June 6th from 7p-9p. This show will include all of the artworks that were created during the residency and some of Heidi’s well-known bird portraits.
History & Re-Connection
Heidi has family roots in Port Bickerton through the Hiltz family. Her father grew up in Port Bickerton with his parents/her grandparents before that, and so on. Heidi spent several summer vacations, holidays, and family occasions in Port Bickerton. She has vivid memories of treasure hunting along the shores (e.g., specifically the old boat launch in the Head of Bickerton Cove), biking to the lighthouse, playing on the beach and in the thick woods, and of walking up to Harvey’s General Store for treats and candy.
And so, Heidi will not be “connecting” with the land in Port Bickerton during the artist residency. As it may be more accurate to say that she will be “re-connecting” with the land. Her heart sings at the thought of the opportunity to experience the sights and senses of this land that held generations of her family in a new way that is centered in her artist practice.
Event Information
Heidi Holloway Art 
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