Exhibitions

Call for Exhibition Proposals

No Deadline for Submissions

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design (the Centre) seeks dynamic proposals from artists, collectives and curators at various stages of their careers for its exhibition platforms, including its Loft and ground floor galleries.

The Centre’s mandate is to promote, sell and exhibit professional, contemporary craft and design. While all submissions will be considered, preference will be given to exhibits that include craft or design principles. Artists working in all media are invited to submit proposals. Group exhibitions proposals are accepted.

Selections criteria are informed by the Centre’s mandated objectives. As a contemporary craft and design centre, Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is interested in works/projects that have cultural, regional or community impact; push boundaries both in method and concept; from a diverse range of perspectives and voices.

The Centre is not currently able to offer CARFAC fees. We support commercial shows, and will write letters of support for funding bodies to support non-commercial shows. Commission taken on commercial shows is 35%.

Gallery Information:

Loft Gallery (third floor)

Approximately 2,000 square feet

Wall Height – 8 feet (to click rail hanging system)
Ground Floor Gallery

Approximately 500 square feet

Wall Height – 12 feet (to click rail hanging system)

Click here for the Exhibition Application Form

Proposals should include:

• CV
• Artist Statement
• Letter describing your artistic practice
• 10 jpeg images (label images with title of the work, date of production, medium, dimensions)
• Completed application

Please send proposals to:

Exhibition Committee

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design

Box 1686, 322 Charlotte Street

Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6T7

Submissions may also be emailed to info@capebretoncraft.com.

The Vitkar, an Exploration of Norse Shamanism and Magik

November 6, 2017 - January 3, 2018

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is pleased to introduce The Vitkar, an Exploration of Norse Shamanism and Magik, an exhibition by Gary Addicott. The public is invited to the opening reception for The Vitkar, an Exploration of Norse Shamanism and Magik, which will take place Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Centre’s Loft.

This exhibition explores the ideas and practices of traditional Norse Magik. Primitive art has always been a major influence on Gary’s work artistically. Gary wanted to take the ancient influences and blend that with his own modern influences of urban art, surrealism and try to shed light on the topic. Gary explored these themes by immersing himself into the practices. Gary considers the artwork featured in The Vitkar, an Exploration of Norse Shamanism and Magik a visual representation of his journey up until this point.

The Vitkar, an Exploration of Norse Shamanism and Magik will be on display in the Centre’s Loft until January 3, 2018.

Hooked on Tessellation

September 14 – October 31, 2017

Tessellation….yes, it’s not a common word. Yet….we see examples of it all around us.

Almost always, when we walk on a tiled floor, we are treading on a tessellation. The simplest floor tilings or tessellations are created by repeating the same shape over and over again, covering the floor without gaps or overlaps. Artists use geometry to create tiles with unique shapes.

About 50 Cape Breton rug hookers took on the challenge of creating almost 100 unique pieces that showcase tessellation. We didn’t have to look far for inspiration because tartans and many quilt patterns, so familiar to Cape Bretoners, are forms of tessellation. The exhibit includes new tessellations of fish, birds, flowers and leaves; there is even a beehive. Also featured are adaptations of the ancient mosaics which inspired Dutch graphic artist MC Escher who, in turn, influenced our rug hookers.

Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the Centre’s Loft.

Hooked on Tessellation will be on display from September 14 – October 31, 2017. This is a once-in-a-lifetime unique opportunity to experience the meeting of fibre art, geometry, and Cape Breton culture.

Japan: Two Perspectives

Charlie Morrison & Chad Tobin

July 17 - September 8, 2017

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design is pleased to introduce Japan: Two Perspectives, an exhibition by photographers Charlie Morrison and Chad Tobin. The exhibition will open on Monday, July 17 and the public is invited to the opening reception for Japan Two Perspectives, which will take place Thursday, July 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the Centre’s Loft.

Japan: Two Perspectives revolves around the comings and goings of two Cape Breton photographers as they immerse themselves in the flow of Tokyo and its cultural nuances. You will experience, through their photography, some of the daily adventures as they navigate their way through the beautiful city and beyond, while recording its people living everyday life.

Charlie Morrison is a paramedic and socially conscious photographer based in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He includes Nairobi, Kibera, Tokyo, New York, Nunavut, Alberta, British Columbia, Germany and Cape Breton among the locations he has photographed. His work has been featured at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design, Our Canada Magazine and The Cape Breton Spectator.

Cape Bretoner, Chad Tobin, is a street photographer whose approach to photography is often candid with the hope of simply blending into the background. A sense of curiosity drives Tobin with one camera, one lens, and a good pair of walking shoes. Tobin is working towards developing more patience in his work and wants to return to Tokyo to pursue a book project that obsessively tugs on his heart.

Japan: Two Perspectives will be displayed in the Centre’s Loft until September 8, 2017.