CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE
March 22, 2018
Students at the Pontiac Continuing Education Centre got a chance to try their hand at a loom last week as part of a community weaving initiative.
Entitled “The Community Vision Weave,” students and guests from the community wrote messages or visions of the future onto pieces of paper and wove them into a collective tapestry over the course of three days.
Everyone’s goals were also compiled in a book for all to read. The aim of the exercise is to foster community pride, ownership and sense of belonging.
With the help of one of Canada’s leading textile artists, Thoma Ewen, and her daughter Gabrielle, everyone got the chance to create something beautiful with just a handful of yarn. The Ewans operate the Moon Rain Centre in Poltimore, Que., a non-profit group that promotes weaving and textile arts.
Director Jennifer Dubeau explained that the program was funded by the Culture in Schools Grant, and said the artwork will be displayed prominantly in the Centre.
“Every year, schools get to apply for a grant to encourage the arts,” she said, noting that she had worked with the Ewan’s on a similar project at Onslow school, which had much different results.
She said that since March 22 was the third and final day, they would open their doors so that the community could also participate.
