A craft incubator is coming to the Town of Port Hawkesbury.
Lori Burke, the executive director of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, says they’ve been receiving applications from beyond the island, as well as outside the country.
She says they want seven artists who will commit to a minimum of a one-year term and relocate to the town- three clay artists, two jewelry artists and two textile artists.
Burke tells The Hawk it’s about creating opportunity for those who have skills or education in fine arts.
“This is going to be a year-round operation, and it’s not just from a tourism perspective,” she says. “This is about creating small businesses in the Town of Port Hawkesbury; the artists would be coming and committing to a year, a minimum of a year to stay, up to renewal of three years.”
Burke says the business is a unique idea they’re working on with town officials.
She says it’s an important addition for the community, and will add to the quality of life.
“I think the impact of having seven people- or more- move into Port Hawkesbury is huge,” she says. “I think any small community in Cape Breton would feel the benefits of that.”
Burke says there is a social benefit in addition to the economic positives.
She says artists will put on courses and workshops for community members.
Burke says the overall project costs $300,000 through three years.
She says they hope to have artists working and retailing from the Customs House on Granville St. by early July, but that could vary, depending on where someone is moving from.
Photo credit: Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design