A special launch of a book about the life and work of one of Cape Breton’s most celebrated rug hookers is being hosted by the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design on Saturday, September 25 from 1 pm to 3 pm. The Sydney launch of Élizabeth LeFort: Canada’s Artist in Wool / L’artiste canadienne de la laine, by Daniel Doucet, will coincide with “Rendez-vous Cape Breton,” a celebration of Acadian arts and culture September 24-26.
LeFort (1914-2005) is one of the most widely recognized artists of the Chéticamp rug-hooking tradition. Her talent for portraiture in wool resulted in purchases and commissions around the world and hang in Rideau Hall, Buckingham Palace, the White House and the Vatican. Her penchant for wildlife, historical scenes and religious art, many of which hang in the gallery that bears her name in the Trois Pignons cultural centre in Chéticamp, is inspiring.
Doucet’s biography is a portrait of the artist and her work. A bilingual publication (French and English), Canada’s Artist in Wool brings together photographs of many of her works, complemented by photos of personal and public highlights of her career and an index of her professional works between 1954-1987.
The Sydney launch, which will display a number of LeFort’s works, is in addition to displays by contemporary Acadian artists, taking place on Saturday, September 25, from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Centre for Craft and Design, 322 Charlotte Street.
The Rendez-vous Cape Breton exhibit at the Centre runs from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, September 24-25. This event is in conjunction with Culture Days, a Canada-wide celebration of arts and culture, September 24-26.
These events are open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
