Trenton Artworks owner Joan Krawczyk sits with her dogs inside the gallery. Trenton Artworks is located in the former St. Augustine's Anglican Church. Krawczyk converted the church into a space for her to paint and display her art collection.

The final service at St. Augustine’s Church took place two years ago. Since then, the small church in Trenton has gone through a transformation.
Today, instead of pews, the room is filled with leather couches. The old red carpet has been torn out, and oriental rugs cover hardwood floors. From the ceiling hang six, huge globe paper lanterns. The wood panelling has been removed and in its place hang abstract paintings, landscape photographs, Japanese prints and depictions of Godzilla.
St. Augustine’s is now Trenton Artworks.
“The common question I get is, why here?” says owner Joan Krawczyk. The answer is short, she was tired.
The native Ontarian had been living in New York City and New Jersey for the past 20 years. In that time she worked as an art dealer, art editor a literary and art review magazine The Paris Review, director of art gallery Viridian, working in movies art departments and painting.
For the past six years, Krawczyk has been coming to Pictou County to visit her brother and cousin who both moved here.
“I fell in love with the area, it is so beautiful,” she says.
She bought a vacation house in Kingshead and moved her mother in. Krawczyk continued her visits, staying months at a time. Wanting a space to paint in Pictou County, she bought the church.
“I always said that art is my religion and here I am in a church.”
Finding New Jersey too expensive and unsafe to focus on her own work, Krawczyk moved permanently to Pictou County, two years ago.
“What is great about here is that there is room to grow, room to be yourself,” she says.
Trenton Artworks is a space Krawczyk is still trying to figure out. She uses it to do her painting, to sell art and as a performance space.
The Pictou County Writer’s Group (PCWG) recently held an open mic night at Trenton Artworks on March 3.
“We are always looking for something new, something different in terms of venues,” says Steve MacLean, community outreach assistant at Pictou Antigonish Regional Library (PARL).
Pictou County Writer’s Group is a support group for writers off all levels and genres through sharing of experiences and work. The group is supported by PARL with monthly meetings held at the Westville and New Glasgow library branches.
MacLean and Krawczyk found each other through Krawczyk’s brother, John. The two talked, and MacLean pitched the idea of using the gallery for the group’s next open night.
The open mic featured readings and musical performance by the group’s members.
Crystal Mann, a member for two years, performed her songs for the first time.
“The place has the perfect atmosphere, it’s friendly, cosy and safe,” said Mann. “It is filling a need.”
“It is a wonderful thing for Pictou County,” says Katherine Sutherland, PCWG member. “It is beautiful. I love the openness, the sound.”
For the future of Trenton Artworks, Krawczyk says she will let it unfold on its own. “It will tell me, the community will tell me.”
“I have a great warehouse full of art and people should be exposed to that,” she says. “Why not be exposed to different art forms? The kids can’t get out of town. They are not going to see it anywhere.”
Trenton Artworks is located at 97 High Street in Trenton. The gallery is open by appointment or stopping by when Krawczyk is there. Call 752- ARTS for appointments.
For more pictures of Trenton Artworks and the performers from March open mic night,3 please visit www.pictouadovcate.com.