International Craft Residency Exchange Extended

21st March 2009

International Craft Residency Exchange Between Scotland and Nova Scotia To Be Extended

As part of The Highland Council's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The Highlands and Nova Scotia, a Cultural Craft Exchange took place between Lochaber and Cape Breton from April to June 2008 in which an artist from the Highlands worked with school pupils in Cape Breton and an artist from Nova Scotia visited Lochaber schools. The project is now being extended to include a further three week craft residency at Ardnamurchan High School with top Highland jeweller Beth Legg.

The MOU outlines areas of joint interest and co-operation to strengthen Gaelic language and culture on both sides of the ocean and fosters cultural development, education and tourism.

Kelly Krawchuck, who is a multidisciplinary crafter as well as a student of Gàidhlig language, folklore, and biology from Cape Breton spent her time in Ardnamurchan High School, Strontian.

Meanwhile, Beth Legg, one of Scotland's best contemporary jewellers, held her residency at Dalbrae Academy in Cape Breton.

Building on the success of the project, Ardnamurchan High School secured funding from Awards for All and this has allowed Beth to come to the High School to run a programme of workshops with pupils over the next three weeks.

A showcase exhibition of new work from her time in Cape Breton will be displayed in the Library.

Headteacher Mr Miller-Craig said: "We are delighted to have been successful in being awarded further funding to extend the Nova Scotia exchange project. We, as a school benefited greatly from Kelly Krawchuck's residency here last session and our pupils were very proud to have helped in the selection process and in the organisation of events and classroom activities. This session, we are very fortunate to have Beth Legg join us and greatly enhance both in-class and extra-curricular art-related activity.

The Nova Scotia Exchange residency project is funded by The Highland Council and Awards for All.