Canada's first gallery dedicated to collage and assemblage

Paper art aficionados can take pride in Halifax having the distinction of being home to Canada's first gallery dedicated exclusively to collage and assemblage. Operating since January 2023, Cuts & Paste Gallery is the vision of collage artist and proprietor Rhonda Barrett. The bright, open compact space is located behind the Halifax Armories near the Halifax Commons.

Barrett learned that many galleries shied away from exhibiting collage created by fellow artists. This reluctance on the part of gallery owners provided the impetus for Barrett to create an artist-focused venue exclusively devoted to collage and assemblage.


The collage works on display incorporate printed ephemera, photographs, magazine and newspaper cut outs. The collage styles are diverse and include tidy studies, thoughtful landscapes and colourful abstract art.

Assemblage art allows artists to "trash recycle," incorporating items that were previously trashed on the side of the road. This includes, but is not limited to, street signs, posters, pieces of wood, and trophy portions. Assemblage works on display have a rough, almost crude texture but still incorporate balanced design.

Assemblage and collage can take many forms. For example, on display at the Gallery was a tunnel book created by James MacSwain of the Halifax-based Manual Training Collective. Comprised of miniature photographs, viewing MacSwain's tunnel book is like wandering in a museum gallery filled with classic Greek and Roman statues.

A recent show entitled Put A Lid On It was dedicated to collage and assemblage art incorporating jar lids. It explores what the expression "to put a lid on it" means to both the artist and the viewer.

An upcoming show called NOMNOM will feature "collage and assemblage works that use or employ food imagery, packaging, preparation utensils or similar for an upcoming show to coincide with the annual Nocturne - Art at Night event... October 14, 2023." Local collage and assembly artists whose work is featured at the Gallery include Peter Krause, Gavin Snow, Fraya McDougall as well as Rhonda Barrett.

Word of Barrett's Cuts & Paste Gallery has spread far beyond the borders of Halifax Regional Municipality, with internationally-based artists expressing interest and support.

Barrett hosts collage workshops at Cuts & Paste Gallery and artists are invited to use the facilities and the gallery's collage resources for a modest fee.


Cuts & Paste Gallery is found at Suite 101, 5663 Cornwallis Street, Halifax (enter from the door in the parking lot.) Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12 - 6 pm; Closed Sunday and Monday. You can also find them online at www.cutandpastegallery.com or on Instagram @cutsandpastegallery.

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Review by Charles Salmon