Call for Proposals

Enrooted: Wool & the Land That Grows It 
Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design 
Late January – mid-March 2027 

Wool has clothed this island for generations. Sheared, spun, and knit into garments that carry the marks of hand and place, or used in unique ways alongside other mediums. The Cape Breton Wool Sweater Project traces that thread from pasture to pattern, building a local supply chain rooted in the Aran knit tradition. This exhibition will showcase the skill, labour, and creativity of local craftspeople working with wool in traditional and novel ways. We invite Cape Breton artists of all mediums to submit proposals to be a part of the show.  

We’re looking for: 
Work that speaks to craft, land, and lineage, sweaters, garments, textiles, furniture, or mixed-media pieces exploring technique, material, or story connected to wool and local making. Work in progress or process-based pieces are welcome alongside finished objects. Collaborations are invited as well.  

Eligibility: 
Open to Cape Breton-based artists at any career stage. 

To apply, please send: 

• A short artist statement (250 words max) on the work you’d propose 

• 3–5 images of recent or relevant work 

• A brief note on space, display, or installation needs 

Deadline: November 1, 2026 
Exhibition dates: Late January – mid-March, 3rd Floor Loft, 322 Charlotte Street, Sydney 

CARFAC fees paid to participating artists.   

If you have any questions or would like to make a submission, please email:

Rhonda Ferguson
rhonda@capebretoncraft.com   

Information about the Cape Breton Wool Sweater Project
The Cape Breton Wool Sweater Project is a proof of concept for a fully local wool supply chain. It follows a single garment from the island’s sheep through shearing, processing, and spinning to a finished sweater knit in the Aran tradition. Along the way it brings together farmers, fibre processors, knitters, and makers, and asks what it would take to rebuild the networks that once clothed this island. The work is guided by a wool advisory committee and shaped by many hands across Cape Breton. Enrooted grows out of that work, and celebrates the land, the labour, and the knowledge that wool carries from pasture to pattern.