A Highland Welcome For Cape Breton Craft Worker
Highland craft worker Beth Legg who was selected by pupils from Dalbrae Acadmey in Nova Scotia has arrived in Mabou Cape Breton, while at the same time Kelly Krawchuck from Sydney, Cape Breton, who is a multidisciplinary crafter as well as a student of Gàidhlig language, folklore, and biology arrives in the Highlands on Friday 9 May at the inviation of Ardnamurchan High School pupils. She will be based in Lochaber until the end of June.
With the support, advice and assistance of Council Officials and the Craft Residency Co-ordinator, the Ardnamurchan community and the schools in the area are organising a Fàilte Community Event to welcome Kelly to the area. The Fàilte will take place in the Àrainn Shuaineirt from 6.30pm to 8pm and the evening will include entertainment by young local muscians, displays of childrens art work, local food and refreshments, and a presentation from Kelly on her backgroud and her work in the Craft industry.
The two month exchange residency project has been organised by The Highland Council and the Province of Nova Scotia as part of the Memorandum of Understanding. It leads on from the highly successful ‘Craft Residencies in the Highlands’ programme which ran in eight areas of the Highlands from 2004 until 2007.
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of the Councils Gaelic Committee said: “I’m very pleased that through the Memorandum of Understanding partnership between the Council and the Province of Nova Scotia we are able to run such an innovative Exchange Residency especially as it contains many elements for which the Council is responsible for, such as Gaelic, crafts/arts and exhibitions. This project is a good example of how these elements have come together primarily to benefit young people and communities in both Ardnamurchan in the west Highlands and Dalbrae in Cape Breton. I wish both artists and everyone who is taking part, every success during the Exchange Programme.”
Both craftmakers will have the opportunity to develop their own work in their new surroundings and this new work will tour in both Countries. Gaelic is an integral part of the project and the makers will be encouraged to further extend their language skills by using Gaelic wherever possible. Pupils in both countries will evaluate and monitor the residencies and will communicate with each other through the internet.
Kelly Krawchuck, said “I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to come from Cape Breton to the Highlands, and work with pupils and people resident in the area using my skills in weaving, knitting, sewing, dying and new media forms such as digital photography, web design alongside my strong interest in Gaelic and culture.”