Arts North, opened in the late 70’s, began as a pottery and jewelry retail outlet outside Cape North, at the “top” of Nova Scotia’s world famous Cabot Trail. Soon after opening, however, other artists seeking a high quality retail outlet began approaching the Arts North management requesting display space in the shop. Over the years since, the number of resident artisans displaying their work for retail at Arts North has grown to over two dozen artist, whose work meets the three basic criteria for inclusion in the Arts North collection: their work must be of a very high quality, both technically and artistically; it must compliment the general environmental theme of the overall display; and it must be made on Cape Breton Island. We presently display high quality hand made pottery, jewelry, basketry, quilting, prints, floor cloths, driftwood whales, silk and weaving, and add more on an annual basis. The overall display celebrates the northern Cape Breton environment, and subjects such as moose, whales, eagles, mountains, shore birds, coastal beaches, drift ice and wild flowers all are prominently featured.

During 2005, Arts North was expanded, and much needed display space, as well as an online display and ordering service was added. The building still, however, continues to acknowledge the environmental beauty of its northern Cape Breton location, and includes this beauty in the in-store display through the ample use of skylights, large windows and exposed beams.

While one may choose to purchase high quality craft items while visiting Arts North, and perhaps have it shipped via our world wide shipping service, the in-store display of items available online offers visitors the opportunity to see first hand the quality of diversity of the work they can later purchase through the Internet.

The location of Arts North on the Cabot Trail, just west of Cape North Village makes a visit easy not only for those driving on the Trail, but also for guests staying at the Keltic Lodge, Glenghorm Beach Resort, The Markland Coastal Resort and the accommodations in Ingonish, Cheticamp and Pleasant Bay, all of which are not far away.

We invite you to browse through the site for an introduction to our artists and a sample of their work. Then visit our Retail Gallery for more images of their recent work, and the work they retail online. Enjoy also the scenic images of the area north of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, which will help you realize why our artists are so inspired to celebrate the beauty of this northernmost region through their various media.