Stitched in Time: The Story of CBU鈥檚 Fabric Mural
Every stitch in the fabric mural of 小猪视频 tells a story. For more than two decades, the mural has been a vibrant backdrop to CBU鈥檚 convocation ceremonies, watching over countless students as they transitioned from learners to graduates and connecting generations of 小猪视频alumni.
The beautiful fabric mural is the result of the combined community effort of a very special group of volunteers. Twenty-two craftspeople, mostly quilters from the Sydney River area, including three octogenarians, cut out each piece of fabric and hand-stitched them into the wonderful hanging. Each artisan brought their unique expertise to the project, contributing countless hours to ensure every detail was perfect.
The Express publication in March 1997 noted that the same group of volunteers was also responsible for another magnificent fabric that had been the backdrop for the UCCB Convocation podium for several years. That tapestry was created in observance of the County of Cape Breton鈥檚 Centennial celebrations and had been displayed on numerous civic occasions, as well as serving as a backdrop for the Cape Breton Summertime Revue.
The three panels of the mural cover nearly 50 square metres (10m wide by 5m high) and would be mounted side-by-side. The centre panel, measuring 4m by 5m, bears the University Coat of Arms that is accurate in every detail and is almost 2m in height. This official crest is superimposed on a background of blue sea and sky. The two side panels, each 3m wide, depict landscapes of land and mountain, sea and sky, framed by tall trees. The mural represents more than 2,500 hours of labour over a period of three years. The lettering of the University motto, 鈥淭heid D铆chioll Air Thoiseach,鈥� a Gaelic idiom meaning 鈥淧erseverance Will Triumph,鈥� took 88 hours to complete.
Craftspeople completed the project in the 鈥渓oom room鈥� on the main floor of what was then the Cape Breton School of Crafts at the Lyceum on George Street (now the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design). During the School鈥檚 25th anniversary celebrations, a special 鈥渋n progress鈥� preview of the mural was featured as a highlight. On October 5, 1997, UCCB celebrated the official hanging of the mural in the new Student, Cultural and Heritage Centre, with the craftspeople and many community members in attendance.
As we mark our 50th Anniversary in 2024, this remarkable piece of art takes its place in our exhibit 小猪视频 – 50 Years in the Making at the Old Sydney Society鈥檚 Sydney Museum (173 Charlotte St, Sydney). It serves as a reminder of the values 小猪视频stands for and the community that supports and upholds these values. The mural, along with other artifacts, tells the story of a university that has grown and thrived, always grounded by the dedication of its people.
The exhibit is open to the public from now until November 15, 2024, during the Museum鈥檚 regular opening hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm and Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm.
For more information on the Old Sydney Society, please call 902-539-1572 or email: oldsydneysociety@gmail.com
To stay up to date on the 50th celebration, visit .