Lakeside Impressions / Celtic Colours 2009

Lakeside Impressions is a program of workshops, exhibits and a presentation that showcases local culture and provides a forum for crafts people to share experiences, network and learn new skills. All activities take place at at the Scotsville School of Crafts, which is owned and operated by the Lake Ainslie Weavers and Craft Guild. Lakeside Impressions includes a gallery showcase that presents fine craft and art work by contributors in the community and from around Cape Breton Island; visitors will be able to meet our featured weaver as well as local artists at our opening event.

The Scotsville School of Crafts is located at 2234 Strathlorne-Scotsville Road, located one km west of Scotsville off Route 395 and about 16 km east of Inverness, along the North side of Lake Ainslie.

For more information, contact Verna MacMillan at 902-258-2278 or by email at vernamacm (at) gmail (dot) com. Contact the Lake Ainslie Weavers & Craft Guild at info (at) lakeainslieweaversguild (dot) org

Artist Biographies

Textile Artist Marilyn Rand works from her home studio in Delhaven, Nova Scotia. After thirty years in textile related industries, Marilyn is now working full time at her craft. As an avid spinner, felter and knitter, Marilyn raises a flock of fibre sheep to supply raw materials for her creations. Ten years of crossing wool breeds to achieve quality wool, has been an exciting learning curve for me." A life long love of natural fibres and knitting, led Marilyn to a career as a Distributor for Brother Knitting Machines. She has taught knitting courses at Holland Collage, PEI, and Memorial University in Saint Johns, NF. Working through Government sponsored programs, Marilyn did a number of "on the job training programs" in Nova Scotia and Northern Quebec, working with First Nations Cree Women. Marilyn also teaches a wide range of courses in spinning, felting, knitting, silk fusion and dyeing. In 2006, Marilyn was Co-Fleece Judge for the Canadian Classic Sheep Show and, in 2007, for the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition. She volunteers as Craft Leader for 4H and is a Charter Member of The Potluck Spinners and Weavers Guild.

Catherine MacLean is a lifelong resident of East Lake Ainslie, and a founding member and now President of the Lake Ainslie Historical Society. Cathy MacLean is a retired schoolteacher, having taught in the rural schools and later in the consolidated schools of Inverness County. She has been a volunteer in her Church and community for most of her life. She has been teaching Sunday School for over 50 years. Her work in the Lake Ainslie Historical Society has been her passion and interest since was formed in 1979. She is interested in her heritage and culture of her community and is involved in genealogy research, doing presentations and supervising staff at the MacDonald House Museum, East Lake Ainslie.

Geoffrey May and Rebecca-Lynne MacDonald-May are Gaelic culture enthusiasts, and broadcasters with over ten years experience in conducting informative and entertaining song workshops.

Judy Lincoln developed an interest in Natural Dyes after opening Hillsdale Mohair 25 years ago, along with weaving, knitting and felting. She has taken part in dye workshops as well as given several workshops. The fields and woodland of Nova Scotia provide a variety of beautiful colours.

Barrie Fraser is a respected Artist and Writer. He received his art education at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. He has held several exhibits of his work. One was all hockey art at the St. Francis Xavier Art Gallery; Antigonish He owns and operates the Kirkwood Studio and Gallery in East Lake Ainslie, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Barrie teaches painting classes in Mabou, Whycocomagh, Baddeck and Scotsville.

Elaine Panuska is an award-winning artist in watercolour and mixed media. She has been contributing to and coordinating the Lakeside Impression exhibit for several years.

Painter and illustrator Virginia McCoy has prepared exhibits of fine craft for the Lake Ainslie Weavers Guild & Craft Guild as well as partnering with Elaine to present the Lakeside Impressions exhibit.

Pictures from Lakeside Impressions 2008