By Bobbi Boudreau
As Teichert Gallery (Art Sales and Rental Society) commemorates its 50th Anniversary, there is another very important milestone we would like to acknowledge and celebrate.
Andrea Smith has been the executive director of the gallery for over 20 years. During this time, she has led the gallery’s artistic vision, strategic planning and community impact. She is a strong advocate for equity in the arts and community engagement and has a particular interest in supporting artists at all stages of their careers.
Andrea and I took the opportunity to chat about the past and to discuss the future.
Q: What brought you to Nova Scotia?
A: I arrived in Nova Scotia for a visit with friends in September 2003, unaware that Hurricane Juan was soon to reach the province. It was a rough introduction, but Halifax and its people had such a wonderful energy that I decided to stay for a while. Twenty-three years later, I’m still here.
Q: What drew you to the position at the gallery?
A: Art has always been a passion of mine; I love being around art and seeing how it creates a space for conversation. In addition to my interest in working in a non-profit environment, I was particularly drawn to expanding the Permanent Collection of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) through our support. Also, I was impressed with the level of talent and passion that the volunteers brought to the Board and gallery operations.
Q: What is your main priority?
A: My priority in meeting the mission and mandate of the gallery has always been to support the established artists we are fortunate to represent and provide an accessible platform for emerging artists to showcase their talents. Many of the artists who began exhibiting with us have been approached by other commercial galleries within the province; this is the best indicator that we are on the right path.
As mentioned, supporting the AGNS is an integral part of our mandate. The more successful the artists represented by Teichert are, the larger our donation to assist with purchases for its Permanent Collection.
Q. Are there some highlights you’d like to share about past exhibits?
We’re fortunate to have an incredible amount of talent in Atlantic Canada, so there have been many terrific exhibits. Some of the collaborations with other arts-minded groups are particularly memorable. Last September, we hosted the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour. The opening reception was a full house and the art was fabulous. For several years we partnered with Halifax Art Map, providing a space for their Art off the Map exhibits. Another great memory is the 1000 Words exhibition in conjunction with the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia which featured illustrations created for local authors’ books.
Q: Can you share an example of how the gallery adapted during a challenging period?
A: As with most businesses, we had to shut the doors during COVID-19. We were fortunate that we had already launched the online gallery/ecommerce site which made operating through COVID-19 possible. This shift enabled us to stay connected to our artists and clients. We were able to maintain sales despite the physical closure.
Q: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Art Sales and Rental Society is very exciting. What are some of the highlights?
A: Our programming this year is both thematic and community based. There are some significant ‘firsts’ in 2026 including our first guest curator, Nina-Simone Kellman, who is the inspiration behind the exhibit “sitting with It” in February for Black History month. In April, Spotlight will feature over a dozen artists new to the gallery. Closing out the year, an exhibit of unframed original prints will be on display in December. To find out more about upcoming exhibits, visit our Events page.
Bobbi Boudreau is a member of the Board of Directors and began volunteering with ASAR in October 2024.
Painting featured behind Andrea's photo: No 1034 by Stephanie Kossmann