Branching Out 2025 #3: Trip to MSVU Art Gallery

Join us on Friday, July 25th from 10am–3pm for a field trip to Mount Saint Vincent University’s Art Gallery to experience Epekwitk Quill Sisters: Etleoogoeiog (Talking Together/Dialogue). This powerful exhibit features the work of Mi’kmaw artists Kayla Sark, Melissa Peter-Paul, and Cheryl Simon, who together form the Epekwitk Quill Sisters—a collective devoted to preserving and evolving the traditional art of Mi’kmaq porcupine quillwork. The exhibition is a moving tribute to the strength of family and sisterhood, the continuity of tradition, and the rich, living history of Mi’kmaq quill art. We will also be guided by one of the artists, Cheryl Simon, who will be giving MacPhee youth participants an exclusive demonstration to her art practice.

The Branching Out Program series is designed to take young people on immersive trips to Black and Indigenous communities, significant locations or art galleries across Nova Scotia. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with local elders, participate in traditional activities, and learn about the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of these communities. The program aims to foster understanding, respect, and appreciation for diversity, while empowering youth to become ambassadors of cultural awareness and social justice.