More developments in Conche, NL according to News Release:

P.O. Box 29, Conche, NL  A0K 1Y0

Tele:  709-622-3500   Fax:  709-622-3510

E-mail:  frenchshorehs@nf.aibn.com

For Immediate Release             Contact:  Joan Simmonds/Colleen McLean 709-622-3500

THE FRENCH SHORE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO LAUNCH

THE CENTRE FOR TEXTILE ART

CONCHE, NL    ———-     On July 26, 2011 the French Shore Historical Society will officially open a Centre for Textile Art.  The purpose of the Centre will be to encourage the art of handmade textile crafts and to promote the art and history of textile-based traditions, especially of the Northern Peninsula. The Centre will focus on the historical textile development of northern Newfoundland by acquiring, preserving and making accessible a research collection of textiles and relevant documents. It will sponsor exhibitions, conferences, symposia, oral history projects, publications, fellowships and grant funded initiatives.

Since its founding in 2000, the French Shore Historical Society has showcased textile work by craftspeople in the region, including exhibitions of hooked rugs, knitting, embroidery, and included textile objects in its permanent exhibit. It has sponsored several workshops on textile art and in 2009 added the unique French Shore Tapestry, embroidered by women from Conche, as a major part of its exhibit.

In 2010, as a foundation for developing the centre, a research project was undertaken by the French Shore Historical Society in partnership with the Port au Choix – St. Anthony Regional Council of the Rural Secretariat.  The purpose of the research was to document the traditional craft skills on the Great Northern Peninsula, with particular attention to crafts using or creating textiles. An inventory of the research, done by Memorial University student Lisa Wilson, can be accessed by visiting the MUN Digital Archives Initiatives. 

In the Fall of 2010 a steering committee was created and consists of:

Anne Manual – Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

Barb Hunt- Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook

Brenda Stratton – Dept. of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development

Candace Cochrane – Quebec Labrador Foundation

Denise White – Dept. of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development

Gerry Pocius – Memorial University of Newfoundland

Joan Simmonds – French Shore Historical Society

Lisa Wilson – MUN Research Student

Nina Mitchelmore – Regional Planner for Rural Secretariat

Susan Furneaux – College of the North Atlantic

The French Shore Historical Society is a non-profit organization founded to preserve  the natural and cultural heritage of the communities of Conche , Croque, Grand Oies/St. Julien’s and Main Brook on the Northeast coast of Newfoundland.   The FSHS has successfully managed many projects which have created great economic benefits, employment opportunities, and great tourism potential on the Great Northern Peninsula.

The Opening will be a Basket Weaving Workshop with Helga Gillard .  Funding was provided by the International Grenfell Association through fundraising efforts of the French Shore Historical Society.