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.
Call for Submissions
The Lumière Arts Festival seeks local, regional and national artists to present work at Cape Breton's only contemporary arts festival. Lumière takes place in Sydney NS, over three days in September. The signature art-at-night event is held from sunset to midnight on the closing day of the festival. Juried artists are paid an honorarium based on national standards.
Submissions are now closed.
Volunteer with LUMIÉRE
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.
Testimonials
Art festivals are community building. The potential that people have to do extraordinary things, and witnessing extraordinary things, can really set ones mind and heart on fire. Art is healing. Art is work. Whatever it is—keep going.
Melissa Kearney
I love what they stand for, I have great admiration for the work they do to amplify voices. To form connections and have conversations through artwork is profound. I’m very thankful spaces like this have been created.
Chanelle Julian
I have come home to make work about home and I can’t imagine a better place to share that work than this excellent community-based festival.
Daniel MacIvor
