CFN – The Canadian Stone Carving Festival will be taking place this weekend, August 23rd and 24th, at the corner of Wellington and Metcalfe. Forty stone carvers from across Canada and around the world will be working all weekend to create pieces of art, which will be auctioned offSunday evening in support of Habitat for Humanity National Capital Region (Habitat NCR).
“This two-day event is a unique opportunity to interact with professional carvers, artisans and enthusiasts as they have 16 hours to turn blocks of limestone into one-of-a-kind works of art using traditional methods,”
says co-organizer Danny Barber. The festival will be interactive, providing the opportunity for the public to try their hand at carving limestone, and to witness how the professionals transform stone to art.
Architectural stone carving is a niche trade in Canada, where there are an estimated 100 full-time carvers. Today, with the impressive West Block Rehabilitation Project underway at the Parliament Buildings, the city has once again attracted highly-skilled stonemasons and carvers. This project boasts the largest number of heritage stonemasons in Canada, and is the largest restoration project in Canadian history.
“Many of the carvers working on the Parliament Buildings will be showcasing their talents throughout the weekend. Think of it as the ice-sculpture competition, only with stone and nicer weather,” jokes Philippe Smith, the other co-organizer of the weekend’s festivities.
A live auction will take place at 6pm on Sunday with the artist’s creations being auctioned to support Habitat NCR. While the rest of the festival is free, tickets are required to attend the auction Sunday evening at the Parliament Pub, located at 101 Sparks Street. Tickets for the auction can be purchased in advance at the Parliament Pub or by visiting http://canadianstonecarvingfestival.com/.
“We are grateful that the stone carvers have chosen Habitat for Humanity as their charity of choice. We are excited to see the final works of these talented artists, and look forward to an exciting and interesting weekend festival” says Alexis Ashworth, CEO of Habitat NCR.
About Canadian Stone Carving Festival
The Canadian Stone Carving Festival is not a competition; this event was created to promote craft fellowship amongst carvers and build public awareness about the trade. Using hand tools only, participants will have 16 hours over two days to complete their pieces. The public is invited to enjoy the sights and sounds of this traditional work site and to engage with the carvers. All pieces will be auctioned to the public, with proceeds being donated to local charities.
About Habitat for Humanity NCR
Habitat for Humanity National Capital Region (NCR) is volunteer-based, non-profit organization that builds simple, decent homes for low-income working families. Habitat NCR sells the homes they build with a no-interest mortgage to families seeking an affordable home in which to raise their families. Habitat NCR achieves its mission by partnering with homeowners, corporate sponsors, donors and volunteers. Habitat NCR is currently building four homes in Orleans in 2014. To learn more, visit www.habitatncr.com