Nova Scotia is located in the Canadian Maritimes, home to the Paleo Indians more than 11,000 years ago. Europeans then settled the area, the French calling it Acadia, and then the Brits renamed it New Scotland with the influx of Scots in 1745. Rum-runners, rogues, and rebels and even legalized pirates reportedly called it home, but in the 1900’s, it became more of a fishing and maritime community. The area appeared to be ahead of its time as it led the way for equality in race and gender---from 1894-1918, the Local Council of Women of Halifax worked to gain the right to vote; and in 1945, Minister William Pearly Oliver founded the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In fact, the area recognized Bessie Hall as the most notable female mariner of the 20th century.
The art world was also cutting edge and well-represented as it is home to Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis. She was no ordinary artist. Born in the early 1900’s with degenerative rheumatoid arthritis, Maud spent much of her life being overlooked due to her outward differences. “Maudie”, starring Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke, written by Sherry White and directed by Aisling Walsh, is a new film capturing Maud’s incredible lifetime story of pain, alienation, but most importantly love. “Maudie” is truly one of the most vivid and beautiful love stories of all time.