Shannon Carla King is redefining what an art gallery can be. As the owner and principal artist behind Whiskey Jack Gallery, King has created a one-of-a-kind space where fine art meets environmental education, using paintings, technology, and storytelling to spotlight reclamation, conservation, and preservation projects across Canada. Based on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, the gallery functions as both an artistic experience and an interpretive centre, inviting visitors to engage with the landscapes they admire through QR codes, drone footage, virtual reality, and real-world environmental success stories. By blending creativity with science and advocacy, Whiskey Jack Gallery is carving out a new path for how art can inspire curiosity, connection, and care for the natural world.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Whiskey Jack Gallery is an independent gallery on the South Shore that exclusively features fine art and art reproductions of actual reclamation, preservation and conservation sites in Nova Scotia and across Canada. It functions like a mini-interpretive centre and pop-up gallery that promotes regenerative tourism to help others learn about success stories using a format that is both inclusive and creative.
My mission is to ensure environmental projects have a voice by reaching new audiences to inform, connect and instill pride in the great work that is being done to advance reclamation and conservation techniques.
Under Whiskey Jack Gallery, I have implemented a relatively simple innovation between traditional physical paintings and the subject matter of reclamation and conservation by creating an interactive experience using QR codes, YouTube videos, articles and VR technology. This has helped establish me as an advocate for the arts as part of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) projects and innovations and ensures my business is successful as a connector in the community. More importantly, is has contributed to the success of other organizations who directly support and work to protect, reclaim, rewild and restore the environment.
What made you want to do this work?
Reclamation, Preservation and Conservation work largely goes unnoticed because when it is done well, the landscape looks as if it is untouched. These success stories and good news stories often are taken for granted, and I saw a gap to bring these stories to life and give credit to the associations, the groups of volunteers and professionals who work very hard to ensure the land is protected and the ecosystems thrive for many generations.
My gallery is an example of how a growth mindset and being open to innovation (of not just technical processes but innovation of how to share ideas) can turn a traditional art gallery into an interpretive centre for all ages and abilities. I am trying to bring the world of reclamation and conservation together with the world of fine art to show how art can be an education tool to reach a wider audience. Sharing new ideas is a way to bring us back together in a safe space where environmental topics and facts can be discussed with a sense of curiosity.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
I recognized that there was a true lack of information and public promotion of reclamation and conservation processes, policies, and successful projects in a format that might entice the public and younger generations to learn more.
By connecting people to information in a more innovative way and by using more advanced technology, we can look at better ways to educate the public and future generations whose learning methods include advanced technology. Canadian organizations are doing such great work to advance the reclamation and conservation practices, yet the data and good news stories are not being covered by mainstream media. It is a cause that needed a new approach and an unsuspecting medium to be heard.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
As a teaching gallery that focuses on scientific topics, my clientele are both students who want to learn more and discerning art collectors who seek art that represents meaningful milestones in our human history to care for the environment. My art collectors are seeking a boutique experience with a connection to meaningful and significant efforts to leverage art as a storytelling tactic of human evolution and care for the land.
Clientele are often drawn in by a beautiful landscape painting and overcome with purpose when I explain that the contemporary piece represents a conservation or reclamation site. Clients then have the exclusive opportunity to view drone footage of the site, experience virtual reality to be at that location or read an article or watch a video to learn more. I also use QR codes to raise awareness of the partnering organizations and associations.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
The gallery operates on a standard business model. It does not rely on art grants. It is open all year long, five days a week and partners with other businesses that also value environmental achievements. My approach is welcomed as a pragmatic way to reach the next generation of potential advocates for the environment with contemporary works of art and to ensure that technical and scientific data is shared in a fun way. For this reason, I have products at all price points based off the original works of art as well as items like colouring books to help teach the next generation about these topics.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
My work can be found in pop-up locations where crucial conversations and curiosity exist to discuss facts. Some locations in the past include major head offices like Deloitte, large-scale events like ECO Canada and Ocean Alliance, Nova Scotia Stampede, public galleries such as J. Franklin Wright in Cape Breton, businesses that value conservation and support local artists and large-scale public venues across Canada, including museums, airports, universities and educational conferences on the environment.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Can I find your art in a local art gallery?
Whiskey Jack Gallery and its business model ensure the integrity of the message is not lost to gallery commissions. As a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) artist, the art is most effectively understood in an environment that allows for conversations and curiosity on the science behind the topic. Traditional art galleries focus on sales and the representation of the artist. My values and interests in protecting the environment go hand-in-hand with the actual pieces, which makes the exhibition best viewed without traditional gallery representation.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
I am thrilled to disrupt the traditional art model to create a safe space for learning in a way that is fun and promotes use of technology not as a requirement, but as a complement to fine art. My approach is welcomed as a new way to reach the next generation of potential advocates for the environment and to ensure that technical and scientific data is shared in a fun way.
It is always a challenge to find partners when you are forging a new path. Art has always been about storytelling. I will always ensure that my exhibits focus on values first and sales as a secondary motive. This means I have to work harder to be a profitable business and to find partnerships that have aligned values. There is no quick sale or shortcut when it comes to values around protecting our environment.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
Jim Unger, a famous cartoonist, once said, “To paint a beautiful picture, first become a beautiful person, then paint naturally.” This quote is less of a joke and more of a fundamental piece of advice from a brilliant humorist. I deeply value his perspective on humanity and feel artists play an important role in representing the beauty and kindness we are capable of sharing with each other.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
