Halifax will celebrate creativity, inclusion and the diverse talents of artists with disabilities this weekend as the 14th Annual Art of Disability Festival returns to the waterfront.
Organized by Independent Living Nova Scotia (ILNS), the free festival takes place Saturday, August 15, at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, offering Halifax residents and visitors an opportunity to meet local artists, explore their work and support their creative businesses.
The annual event has been running since 2012 and has grown into a major showcase for artists with disabilities throughout Nova Scotia. This year’s festival will feature approximately 30 artists and vendors, with work ranging from visual and fine art to handmade crafts, photography, jewellery and performance art.
More than simply an art market, the Art of Disability Festival is designed as a space for community connection, self-expression and representation. ILNS describes the event as a celebration of the different experiences and perspectives that artists with disabilities bring to Nova Scotia’s cultural community.
A Showcase of Halifax and Nova Scotia Talent
This year’s participating artists represent a wide range of creative disciplines.
Among them is Halifax-based author, poet and musician Dennis McCormack, an advocate for people who are blind or visually impaired. McCormack has published seven books and released four albums, with his work drawing on classic literature and his lived experience.
Photography will also be represented by artists including Michael McCullough, whose work features abstract, Maritime and neighbourhood photography, as well as poetry and greeting cards connected to his images. Self-taught photographer and artist Becca Annand will showcase photography alongside drawing and painting.
Visitors can also discover the work of Tom Casey, a Halifax-area potter and ceramicist whose creations include wheel-thrown pottery, dishes, bowls, hand-built pieces and ceramic magnets. Casey is also a disability rights advocate.
The festival’s diverse roster includes artists working in everything from acrylic painting and calligraphy to needle felting, punch needle, stained glass, mosaic art, polymer clay, handmade jewellery and recycled materials.
For some participating artists, their creative work is also deeply connected to their personal experiences. Artist Brogan Sheehan, for example, uses her artwork to raise awareness of human trafficking in Nova Scotia, while other artists explore themes including disability rights, nature, fantasy, identity and lived experience.
More Than an Art Show
For ILNS, the festival is part of a broader effort to create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in their communities.
The organization says the Art of Disability Festival has grown from a small gathering into an event featuring approximately 30 artists, providing a place for people to share, learn and celebrate the talents within the community.
The 2026 festival is being presented as a barrier-free and inclusive event, with admission free for everyone. That makes it an accessible way for Halifax residents to spend part of their weekend while supporting local artists and discovering work that might not otherwise be seen in traditional galleries and markets.
When and Where
The 14th Annual Art of Disability Festival takes place Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax.
Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.
For the full list of participating artists and more information about the festival, visit Independent Living Nova Scotia’s Art of Disability Festival page.