Sydney art centre hosts Mi'kmaq artists competition – TheChronicleHerald.ca

SYDNEY, N.S. —

The Convent will soon honour seven Unama’ki artists.

“One of the main goals is to strengthen and honour the relationship to Mi’kmaq people here in Unama’ki,” said Melissa Kearney, programming co-ordinator for The Convent, an art and cultural centre in downtown Sydney.

The Convent, located on what was Holy Angels property and is now part of the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation, features a variety of disciplines hoping to encourage artists’ creativity and spark a bond with the general public.

The COVID-19 pandemic set back the studio’s grand opening plans, but Kearney says they remain committed to fostering a relationship with the Mi’kmaq.

“We were all determined to see it happen and knew it was going to happen without a doubt,” said Kearney.

The Convent team is also working with a Mi’kmaq design team to help Indigenize the space. But the most recent project, the Kisitwek Gallery, hopes to select seven Mi’kmaq artists with the help of an elders advisory committee.

Robert Bernard is the program co-ordinator with Kisitwek Gallery and each Unama’ki community — Membertou, Wagmatcook, We’koqma’q, Potlotek and Eskasoni First Nations — is represented by an elder.

“We hope to share the Mi’kmaq story and culture,” said Bernard.

The competition is accepting submissions until Friday, Sept. 11 at midnight. The submissions can be based on a variety of art forms from vocal artists, visual artists and crafters, among others.

Bernard says the work will be judged on the level of professionalism, talent and what the artist means to their respective home communities. He says as part of the application they encourage testimonials about the artist from community members.

Kisitwek Gallery will celebrate the artists just as much as their work.

Bernard said the gallery will feature a short biography of the artist and a visual aspect of that artist. Families of a deceased artist can apply and if selected will work with the team to best honour that artist.

Bernard said another aspect of the project will be the workshops which will be hosted by the artists.

“They’ll have their own programming, outlining their own style and life’s work,” said Bernard, adding the plan is to highlight these artists while educating others about their work.

Bernard stressed participating artists must be Mi’kmaq and authenticity will be part of the scoring process. The applying artists will be scored on a scaled system considering the artwork, the testimonials, the authenticity and overall, what the artists means to community.

Bernard expects the judging to take a couple of weeks.

The project is also working with New Dawn Enterprises, Indigenous guide engagement services and Patuo’kn Illustration and Design.

Those wishing to apply can contact The Convent or apply online while remembering the initiative is all about honouring the Mi’kmaq.

“We are the first artists and crafters of this land,” said Bernard.

After the first cohort of strictly Unama’ki artists, there are plans to expand to include all Mi’kma’ki.

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