Events
Join the 460 Club today!
Dear Friend, Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is facing a significant challenge and we need your help. The new provincial budget included cuts to arts and culture funding that directly impact organizations like ours. As a result, the Centre has lost $46,000 in core operational funding from the Province of Nova Scotia. Operational funding is what keeps our doors open, our studios running, and our programs accessible…
Call for Submissions: 2026 Exhibitions Curated by Kelsey Watson
Call for Submissions: 2026 Exhibitions Curated by Kelsey Watson We invite Atlantic Canadian artists and makers to explore ideas in two of the upcoming 2026 exhibitions at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design focusing on how experience, memory, and identity are carried through cycles. Together, the exhibitions explore how life is shaped by repeating patterns. In nature, through tidal movement, and in culture through inherited roles,…
Call for Expression of Interests: Weaving Artist in Residence
Call for Expressions of Interest: Weaving Artist in ResidenceJune 1–7, 2026 | Unama’ki Cape Breton Island Colaisde na Gàidhlig (The Gaelic College), in partnership with Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, invites weaving artists to apply for a one-week residency during Craft Week 2026. This unique opportunity offers a fully equipped weaving studio, on-site accommodation, and a stipend to support your stay. The selected artist will…
Community Engagement Survey
We want to hear from you, Unama’ki Cape Breton! Craft is at the heart of our communities, and we’re taking time to listen. We’re currently running a needs assessment survey to better understand how craft activities are impacting people across Unama’ki Cape Breton, and where there’s room to grow. As the voice of craft culture in Unama'ki Cape Breton, we’re committed to celebrating makers, sharing skills, and…
Call for Submissions: The Earring Show 2026
Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design invites Atlantic Canadian artists to submit handcrafted earrings for the Earring Show 2026 juried exhibition and sales opportunity celebrating earrings as wearable art. Artists may submit 1–5 pairs across one-of-a-kind, limited edition, or emerging artist categories. Selected work will be featured in a month-long retail exhibition from June 1–30, 2026 at the Centre in Sydney. From sculptural statements to delicate, detail-driven designs, the Earring Show celebrates…
Call for Events: Cape Breton Craft Week 2026
We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural Cape Breton Craft Week 2026, happening June 1–7, 2026, across Unama’ki Cape Breton. This week-long celebration of craft and creativity will showcase the rich and dynamic craft traditions of our region, and we’d love for you to take part. Through a dynamic week of events, workshops, exhibitions, and community gatherings, Craft Week fosters connections between makers and learners, locally and beyond,…
Annual General Meeting
Your voice matters! Attend our AGM and you could win a $250 gift card Want to hear about the Centre’s accomplishments this past year and what’s coming next? We’d love to see you at our Annual General Meeting! Date: Wednesday, June 25 Time: 12:00 p.m. Location: 322 Charlotte Street, Sydney (light lunch provided) Or join us online via Zoom Bonus: In-person attendees will be entered into a…
Craft Café
Join us on Friday, April 11th, 2025 from 1-3PM here at the Centre for tea, coffee and snacks. You can chat with staff about activities happening at the Centre and bring a craft project you're working on if you'd like. Think you can make it? RSVP to marketing@capebretoncraft.com We're looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones!
Craft Café
Join us on Saturday, March 1st, 2025 from 1-3PM here at the Centre for tea, coffee and snacks. You can chat with staff about activities happening at the Centre and bring a craft project you're working on if you'd like. Think you can make it? RSVP to marketing@capebretoncraft.com We're looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones!
Craft Café
Join us on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 from 1-3PM here at the Centre for tea, coffee and snacks. You can chat with staff about activities happening at the Centre and bring a craft project you're working on if you'd like. Think you can make it? RSVP to marketing@capebretoncraft.com We're looking forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones! Annual General Meeting 2024
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 6:00 p.m. in -person at the Centre and online via Zoom. Want to know what the Centre has been up to this past year? Join us for our Annual General Meeting in-person at the Centre or online via Zoom on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Your participation in Centre activities is greatly appreciated…
SPRING SOCIALS
Join us to chat about programming available to help grow your craft business on Unama’ki Cape Breton. Learn about retail, marketing, funding, and residency opportunities. Monday, April 29th 2-3:30 pm Scotsville School of Crafts Scotsville, NS Tuesday, April 30th 10-11:30 am North River Hall St. Anns, NS Light refreshments provided! For more information or to RSVP, please contact cassie@capebretoncraft.com / 902-270-7491
STEMS & LEGS FINE WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER 2024
You’re invited to the 11th annual Stems & Legs! The event will take place Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Stems & Legs is a fundraising event that brings our community together in an appreciation of fine wine paired with a setting of equally fine craft. Come join us for an elegant evening of tasting and learning about wines from around the world. Stems…
Cape Breton Tea Company Pop-UP
Pop Up Shop with Cape Breton Tea Company on Saturday, March 23rd at 11AM! Come meet the tea artist, Dr. Michelle Greenwell, as she shares the value and opportunity of her special tea blends. Expand your offerings for special gatherings by choosing a special tea blend to pair with your treats, or consider giving tea as gifts and share special times throughout the year.
THE EARRING SHOW
Unama’ki Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is inviting you to our first Retail Earring Show! The Earring Show features the work of contemporary jewellery artists from across Mi’kma’ki including Ben Sickles, Jacqueline Finn, Laylia Bennett, Lynda Lou MacIntyre, Mary Larade, Nancy McLean, Peter Bauer, and Theresa Googoo. The theme for this show is the idea of ‘care’. The earrings selected have been designed to emphasize…
Shop & Sip
Unama’ki Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is hosting our annual SHOP & SIP on Thursday, December 14th from 4-7PM. It'll be an evening of shopping and sipping, in a relaxing holiday atmosphere! 🥂 Island Folk Cider House will be joining the event to serve up local ciders while you shop and enjoy live piano holiday music by Marcel Aucoin. 🎵 Find the perfect handmade gift…
Cape Breton Tea Company Pop-UP
Join us and the Cape Breton Tea Company as they share holiday sample teas and presentation ideas for your holiday gatherings! Offering unique blends in black, green, rooibos, honeybush and herbal combinations, their extensive selection will have you enjoying some wonderful tastes, some intense colours, and inspiring affirmations along with each blend. Ready for 2024 and the Year of the Green Dragon? The Cape Breton Tea Company…
Upcoming Celebratory Events
Upcoming Celebratory Events Join us Thursday, November 16th! Held in the Loft at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, the following will take place: Inclusive Craft Gathering 4-6PM, registration required (linked below) askîy Reception 6-8 PM, open to all. Curator Talk by Emerging Indigenous Curator, Kayla Rudderham 7-8 PM, open to all. For more information or to register for the Inclusive Craft Gathering, click HERE. We…
MI’KMAQ CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKET 2023
Unama'ki/Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design will be hosting our second Mi'kmaq Christmas Market on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 [12PM-6PM] at our Loft space in downtown Sydney. We’re inviting Mi'kmaw artists based in Unama’ki working in contemporary and/or traditional handmade-craft to be vendors. All craft mediums are welcome including beading, quillwork, basketry, textiles, and more! Limited spots available. No fee required! New vendors will go through…