“A Day in the Life” with: Artist Shannon Carla King

June 17, 2026 Lauren Kannwischer Artist Profiles, Arts

Residing on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, artist Shannon Carla King is redefining how Canadians understand reclamation, preservation, and conservation. With a professional background in the energy sector and a passion for environmental storytelling, King has pioneered a unique artistic practice that transforms complex scientific processes into accessible, emotionally resonant works of art. Her collection, The ART of Reclamation, captures the raw beauty of reclaimed landscapes. From former coal mines to oil sands sites, she invites viewers to see not just what was lost, but what has been restored. The ART of Conservation is on display at Whiskey Jack Gallery in Mahone Bay to teach about actual sites under conservatorship in Nova Scotia. Working with the Mahone Islands Conservation Association and Nova Scotia Nature Trust, she depicts protected lands that also leverage expertise from the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited to caretake the sites.

King’s work (including a children’s colouring book) offers a fresh lens on our country’s environmental legacy, one where art doesn’t just reflect nature, but helps restore it. A cutting-edge take on contemporary art, her canvases are not just paintings; they are proof that science and storytelling can thrive together.

-Written by Whiskey Jack Gallery business partner

Shannon Carla King — Research on conservation sites includes many day trips to better understand the flora, fauna and sea life around a protected site, which means being on the water with my partner in life and in business, as well as being thankful for so many collaborative partners who are active stewards of these sites.

Visiting protected conservation sites in person is a privilege. I am grateful to call the South Shore home and to be able to visit these sites to ensure they are accurately depicted in my artwork. Seeing the beauty of the cattails on Bella Island in the warm light of Mahone Bay is stunning in the summer months.

Whiskey Jack Gallery and my working studio have a stunning view of the protected islands just steps away from the front door. The coastline of Indian Point has been a hub of historic activity, from fishing to boat building, for over a hundred years by many cultures.

Shannon giving a demonstration of how to scan QR codes to learn more about conservation at Whiskey Jack Gallery.

Shannon hosting a guided tour of the islands as part of the annual celebration of Bluenose II anchoring in Mahone Bay across from the gallery.

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Which ’hood are you in?

South Shore, 5 minutes off the lighthouse route, just outside of Mahone Bay.

What do you do?

I create opportunities to inspire pride in Canada’s land stewardship achievements. Conservation, when done well, is often invisible. “The public may never know these places exist, because access is limited by design. My role is to give these places a voice.”

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on an expanded collection of the ART of Reclamation, which will feature reclaimed sites across Nova Scotia (from coal mines to gold mines), and will be featured at the Atlantic Canada Canadian Land Reclamation Association in New Brunswick in early October of 2026.

Where can we find your work?

My art has a permanent location at 280 Indian Point Road, Mahone Bay. It has been featured in venues such as the Edmonton International Airport, SAIT’s MacPhail School of Energy, Hotel Arts and multiple museums, and conferences as a pop-up exhibition, including Canada Powered by Women, World Petroleum Congress and Canadian Land Reclamation Association, reaching audiences far beyond traditional galleries.