The Sidney Museum reopens its doors Sept. 1 after three months of refurbishing work, welcoming the public to itB次元官网网址檚 first Icelandic collection.

From Sept. 1 to Dec. 27, the refurbished museumB次元官网网址檚 debut exhibit, Connected Heritage, will educate patrons on CanadaB次元官网网址檚 cultural and historical links to the Nordic island nation. A year in the making, the exhibit is comprised of 30 pieces made by the six members of the Articulation Textile Group, a group of textile artists and historians from across western Canada.

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B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to increase our diversity and what weB次元官网网址檙e showing,B次元官网网址� said Sidney Museum executive director Alyssa Gerwig. B次元官网网址淚 think people will be really surprised at what weB次元官网网址檝e got on the show.B次元官网网址�

The Articulation Textile Group spent a week in Gimli, Man. on Lake Winnipeg to collect information and inspiration for their artwork, said Leslie Turner, one of the groupB次元官网网址檚 coordinators.

After the first European contact of Icelandic Norsemen to what is today Canada in 1009 CE, the next largest migration of Icelanders to Canada came with the eruption of the islandB次元官网网址檚 Askja volcano in 1875, according to the museumB次元官网网址檚 press release. The calamity caused several to migrate to Canada and establish settlements throughout the prairies, including New Iceland on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. The attic of GimliB次元官网网址檚 town hall still holds a display of Hulduf贸lk (hidden/little people) central to Icelandic folklore, Turner said.

B次元官网网址淵ou really need to talk with a lot of people and experience the landscape,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e going to respond with your art, you need to feel it quite deeply.B次元官网网址� She and her peers of the Articulation Textile Group are trained in European methods of embroidery. Their Icelandic works include blankets, handknitting, quilts and clothes dyed through the batik wax method.

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B次元官网网址淵ou get a really nice variety, in both styles and interpretations,B次元官网网址� Gerwing said. The artwork was displayed in GimliB次元官网网址檚 Icelandic Museum before coming to Sidney this fall, Turner said, and may eventually find a home in the North American Icelandic Society Convention.

Prior to the upcoming exhibit, the Articulation Textile Group lent an exhibit of World War-inspired textile work to the Sidney Museum.

In addition to Iceland, the Sidney Museum will be showcasing newly refurbished permanent exhibits on the history of Sidney and North Saanich. Beginning on Sept. 1, the museum will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., subject to change based on public health recommendations.

Do you have a story tip? Email: kiernan.green@blackpress.ca.

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