Four Prince Edward Island students are the recipients of this year’s Craft Education Awards. The award was instituted by Prince Edward Island Business Development in 2001. It assists selected Island students with the cost of post secondary education in crafts. The students were congratulated on their awards today by Premier Pat Binns and Minister of Development and Technology Mike Currie.
This year’s recipients are:
-Lindsey Bellefontaine, graduate of Kensington Intermediate Senior High in 1998 and will be attending Nova Scotia College of Art and Design majoring in metalsmithing and jewelry making
-Rebecca Viau, graduate of Bluefield High in 2001 and is already attending Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in her second year
-Jessica Hutchinson, graduate of Bluefield High in 2001 and will be attending the Kootenay School of the Arts Cooperative, Nelson, BC, majoring in clay
-Kirstie McCallum, graduate of Bluefield High in 1997 and will be attending the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design majoring in printmaking
“The Province of Prince Edward Island is committed to the growth and development of its craft industry, and the Craft Education Award program is a testament of our support,” said Premier Binns. “We have a lot of young talented artisans across the Island and by offering educational opportunities for Island craftspeople, it can encourage growth of the industry.”
“PEI Business Development is pleased to offer a program that provides students financial assistance in this area of study,” said Minister Currie. “The Government of Prince Edward Island believes the craft and giftware industry is an important part of the economy and we are committed to helping it thrive well into the future.”
Since its inception, 15 Island students have received awards under the program. Each award is worth $5,000.
“I am very grateful to have been selected as a recipient of this award to help cover the cost of my tuition, books and materials,” said Lindsey Bellefontaine. “This is what I have a passion to do and would like to make a career in PEI out of it someday.”
For more information about the Craft Education Award Program, please contact Carolyn Villard at PEI Business Development at (902) 368-4799 or by e-mail at cavillard@gov.pe.ca.