Schedule of Events
Featured Artists
Melissa Kearney is a multi-disciplinary artist in Unama’ki | Cape Breton. Reimagining how geography, and bygone industry tell the story of the soul, Kearney focus on the personal and community. Their practice includes painting, performance, installation and film. They have participated in exhibitions and festivals across the province and is currently the Artistic Director at Eltuek Arts Centre in the north end of Sydney.
Robyn Martelly is from Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia, which is located in Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island). Robyn is an artist, contributing author, poet, and a freelance writer. Some of her work has appeared in LOVE (Leave Out Violence) Newsletter, Teens Now Talk Magazine, Understorey Magazine, Montréal Writes an Online Literary Magazine, the Cape Breton Post, CBRM ConnectArts, CBC Information Morning Cape Breton, Wandering Autumn Magazine and ‘Magine: Unama’ki/ Cape Breton’s Literary Magazine.
Robyn has 15+ years experience creating art and writing poetry, her art and writing is inspired by her culture, community, and social issues.
Michel Williatte-Battet is a multi disciplinary artist based in St Joseph du Moine on the western side of Cape Breton Island. Inspired by his surroundings Michel’s art is often described as whimsical and humorous. He has been showing and selling his work since 1989 and it can be found in many private collections around the world.
Loretta is a self-taught artist from the Waycobah First Nation in Nova Scotia. Born and raised in a reservation in Cape Breton, she creates bright, beautiful pieces with fabrics, photos and acrylics. Her art is spiritual and her way to get her feelings on canvas. Her first paintings sold in Finland and Germany, and has been creating and exhibiting her pieces ever since.
She is currently working on a compilation of stories that go with each of her paintings, and 2 children’s books to help learn their native tongue. Today, she resides in Cape Breton with her husband Elliot Gould and all their children Dakota Jay, Shianne Snow, Savannah Sipu, Phoenix Lee, Ivy Blue, and Montanna Sky.
Daniel MacIvor is a Cape Breton playwright and filmmaker. He is the recipient of an OBIE Award, a GLAAD Award, a Governor General’s Award, the Siminovitch Prize In Theatre and a Canadian Screen Award.
Lumière Art-at-Night
Lumière Art-at-Night is a free, accessible, contemporary arts festival taking place in Unama’ki-Cape Breton on September 23, 2023 from 7:00pm-midnight at Eltuek Arts Centre.
The festival will showcase public installations and presentations of art, films and video, as well as educational programming. Join us for this unique celebration of art, culture and community spirit!
Lumière at the Drive-In
Lumière returns to the friendly confines of the Cape Breton Drive-in for another edition of boundary pushing short films at the most unpretentious venue imaginable.
Join us for an evening under the stars on September 21, 2023.
Films begin at dusk.
Volunteer with Us
Lumière volunteers are community-minded, energetic and arts-oriented. Whether you’re organized, outgoing or prefer to communicate through your phone, we’ve got a job for you! Please fill out our application form.
✨TONIGHT!🌙 We welcome Lumière’s 12th Annual Art-at-Night Festival! We have a few reminders for you so you can get the most out of the night.
🥫Don’t forget to bring some non-perishables with you. Trade in you non-perishables for one piece of Lumière swag, per person.
🎨Have some extra art or art supplies lying around that needs a new home? Bring it with you! One of our artist’s projects, @littleartcupboardcb by Melanie Costello, is on a take what you want, leave what you can basis. Her goal is to foster relationships amongst artists by exchanging resources and projects.
💵 Some food vendors may not accept debit/credit, so be sure to have some money on you in case you’re in need of a snack!
🧣Bring some warm cloths with you. It’s a beautiful day outside for Lumière but it gets chilly in the evening.
📸 We want to see your pictures! Tag us in your Lumière photos - @lumierecb
✨See you soon🌙
If you find yourself craving a snack tomorrow evening, we`ve got some delicious options for you!
S&S Indian food will offer lots of different finger foods for those who want to walk and snack😋! Place your orders at their takeout window, located in the alley between Eltuek Arts Centre & New Dawn Centre, right across from the electric vehicle charging stations.
Looking for some sizzling sausages and hot dogs 🌭 ? Stephen’s Hot Sausages & Hot Dogs will be grilling up a storm to satisfy your cravings! Located on Nepean Street.
For those seeking a cozy beverage ☕️ or a treat, Cafe Marie is your perfect stop. Located on the second floor of Eltuek Arts Centre.
This year (only) we are doing things a little different with our Lumière merch. While we do not have new merch up for sale, we are going to be offering all kinds of apparel, hats and more from past festival years.
We know times are tough in our communities so we’ll be doing a non-perishable food drive in exchange for selecting one piece of Lumière swag for free, per person. Sizes and styles may be limited. All donations will go to fill up local food pantries. Thank you for your contributions!
- the Lumière team
Cheers 🥂 to Island Folk Cider House for supporting the Lumière Arts Festival. Thank you so much for your continued support.
Island Folk Cider House will host one of our artist projects this year - Mr. Business by Trevor Novak & Kurtis Eugene
Thank you @islandfolkcider
✨Artist Feature: Suzanne Oram🌙
The space inbetween
Exploring liminal spaces and offering people a chance to physically explore what was, and what will be… while reminding us of the power of community and imagination in these transitional times.
Suzi is a recent graduate in community studies and a visual artist living in Unama’ki-Cape Breton. She explores art as a mechanism for engaging community-level in social change, drawing inspiration from the world around her, creating larger than life art instillations out of found objects.
Learn more at https://lumierecb.com
🌟Spotlight Artist: Sarah Prosper🌟
Samqwan
Samqwan is the Mi’kmaq word for water and this multi-disciplinary show, created and choreographed by Eskasoni artist Sarah Prosper, inspires and welcomes you to experience the value of water from an indigenous perspective; its sacredness, purposes, and to show the gift of walking in two worlds but also the responsibilities. This show was originally performed at the Highland Arts Theatre and The Neptune Theatre. This recorded performance will be screened at the Drive-In event on Thursday as well as screened as part of the art-at-night festival.
Wisunn na Sarah Prosper (she/they/nekmow), Mikmaw/L’nu e’pite’s of the We’kwistoqnik (Eskasoni) Mi’kmaq First Nation. Amalkewinu (dancer) holds a BSc in Therapeutic Recreation, is a Masters in Leisure Studies student, and a proclaimed community artist of the Wabanaki east coast. Prosper’s practice encompasses an Indigenous/Mi’kmaq lens that deepens the threads of respect and reciprocity to dance, movement, social sciences, social justice, mental health & the land. Prosper’s community work varies in community need. Often, she shares her curated workshop “Moving in Mi’kma’ki.”
Learn more at https://lumierecb.com/
📣TONIGHT‼️We take over the Cape Breton Drive-In at 8pm for another edition of short films.
FREE admission. Films are intended for adult audiences as they contain mature subject matter. Canteen will be open 🍿🥤
See you there!
Lights✨, Camera🎥, Thank you to New Dawn Enterprises for sponsoring our Short Films at the Drive-In! Your support has made this event possible. Tonight at 8pm Lumière will take over the Cape Breton Drive-In with boundary-pushing short films.
Thank you New Dawn Enterprises!
Big shoutout to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality for their unwavering support of Lumière. Your ongoing sponsorship means the world to us 🌎
Thank you @cbrmgov
✨Artist Feature: Robert Bean🌙
Silenzio
The sound work Silenzio presents the aural space of the Sistine Chapel as the murmur of voices and a desire for speech. The work foregrounds the acoustic experience of a site historically associated with the visual authority of Renaissance frescos.
Robert Bean is an artist, writer, curator and retired NSCAD University Professor living in Kjipuktuk, Halifax. Bean has edited books and published articles on the subject of photography, contemporary art and cultural history. He has been an active contributor to the Cineflux Research Group at NSCAD University and the Narratives in Space and Time art and mobility project.
Learn more at https://lumierecb.com
