An art exhibition that is a collaboration between the Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia, five

Some of the rug hooked art pieces in the exhibit “Every Child Matters; Finding a Way Forward” at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. (Ken Kingston photo)

Mi’kmaq artists and Indigenous communities is on display at the J. Franklin Wright Gallery in Port Hawkesbury.

The exhibition is called “Every Child Matters; Finding a Way Forward”.   The Guild commissioned five Mi’kmaq artists from the Maritimes, who produced eleven designs that could be rug hooked, honouring the Indigenous children who suffered and died in Residential Schools and the survivors who were taken from their families and culture. Among the five Mi’kmaq artists, two are from Nova Scotia, Lorne Julien and Gerald Gloade, both from Millbrook.

In all, 66 works were completed by 48 rug hookers from Canada, the United States and Great

“Flying Home of the Wings of an Eagle” designed by Indigenous Artist Tara Francis of New Brunswick. It is hooked by Katherine Dawson. (Ken Kingston photo)

Britain.

One of the curators of the exhibition, Anne Marie Harley, says the reaction to those who have viewed the works has been emotional.

The exhibition, which has been touring Nova Scotia for the past year, has received support from the province’s Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Department.

The art exhibit will continue at the Gallery in the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre until October 20th