Creative Lens Initiative

Cultivating space for community, exploration, and practice.

• About the Initiative
• Valley Lens Community
• Creative Lens Series
• Heritage Lens Project
• News, events, side quests

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building through story
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Photo by A. Main

Aurora Lee Studios is an interdisciplinary studio centred in creativity and story and based in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. We support our community through three streams: education, business consulting, and original art, inspiring clients to find their own stories. ALS is owned and operated by Justine MacDonald.What We Doart
Our studio produces fine art photography and mixed media for sales and galleries. Our photography services focus on dance, music and experiential portraits.consulting
We provide freelance services for micro- and small-businesses and entrepreneurs looking to explore their stories.education
Aurora Lee Studios hosts workshops focused on creativity and events intended to inspire. We welcome participants of all skill levels looking to spark or nurture their own creativity and tell their own stories.We are currently working on the Creative Lens Initiative - cultivating space for community, exploration, and practice in the Annapolis Valley.About Justine
Having a camera in her hand most of her life, she spent years documenting her daily life in Canada and Germany before digital photography gave her the freedom to experiment and sparked a more intentional practice as a travel photographer in 2007. Beyond her gallery and studio work, Justine is a dedicated community mentor, offering workshops and photo walks designed to help and inspire others to find the story in their surroundings through a more intentional lens.Member of
Canadian Association for Photographic Art
Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia
Visual Arts Nova Scotia

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The Creative Lens Initiative aims to re-ignite the creative spirit in Kentville and the wider Annapolis Valley. Through our four projects we hope to empower creators, foster community and share local heritage and stories.The Projects:
1. The Valley Lens Community
Our goal is to bring creatives together to connect with, learn from, and inspire each other - with a little dash of creative accountability - through meet-ups, outings, online portal and hands-on creative practice.2. The Creative Lens Series
A six-month workshop series following a creative project for those wanting to grow their craft.3. The Heritage Lens Project
As we enter the 200th anniversary of photography, we plan to highlight the pioneers of photography right here in the Valley.4. Side Quests!
There will be other "side-quests" throughout the year such as additional workshops and global celebrations of photography:
- World Photography Day (August)
- Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk (October)2026 - 2027 will be supplemented with the Heritage Lens Project as we celebrate 200 years of photography.

• Valley Lens Community

• Creative Lens Series

• Heritage Lens Project

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Inspired by classic creative salons, the Valley Lens Community brings creatives together to connect with, learn from, and inspire each other - with a little dash of creative accountability.While our foundation and focus is built on photography, we all enjoy a good side-quest, so artists, writers and creatives of all disciplines and skill levels are welcome.Community | Creativity | GrowthWe meet monthly in downtown Kentville with occasional extra outings and photography excursions.What makes the Valley Lens Community different from other photo clubs?We focus on the art and practice of creativity, rather than gear or competitions. Whether you’re dusting off a camera after years, a seasoned pro looking for creative connection, or a wallflower soaking it all in, VLC is a low-pressure, community-focused space designed to get you creating again (or for the first time) - whether or not it involves a camera. Every meeting includes dedicated time for hands-on creative practice.
Read more about our approach

Details

Monthly Meet-Ups starting November 2026
Location: The Space & Company | Kentville, NS
Cost: $5 (cash at the door), $7 online

Annual Pass

Coming Soon: Online portal and memberships coming in January. Learn more below.Annual Pass
Get a full year of access to every VLC event and an online community of other creatives as well as additional perks.
$100/year | Details & purchaseQuestions? Email us!

Upcoming Meet-ups

Launch Meeting
Date: October 20th | 5 - 7 pm
The Launch Meeting is free! Join us to help shape our community!
More info and RSVPNovember Meet-Up
Details: TBD after the Launch MeetingDecember Meet-Up
Details: TBD after the Launch Meeting
More info and RSVPOur meet-ups include time to network with other creatives, learn and discuss the topic of the month, share your work with others. After all that we'll still have plenty of time to create!

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A six-month creative journey.Coming soon...

Want to be among the first to know when the series is announced and enrolment opens?
E-mail us to get added to the mailing list!

Get a Sneak Peek

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Photo by Charles Ma

A look at our local photographic heritage.Coming soon...

Want to be among the first to know when there's news?
E-mail us to get added to the mailing list!

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