The Arts & Heritage Trail highlights cultural tourism product first by coastal drive, then by the following interest-based categories:

Heritage (Built, Human, Natural)
Performing Arts
Visual Arts

Arts & Heritage Trail participants have the opportunity to purchase quilt board fascia signage to be used as an identifier along the trail.

Information & Rates    Listing Application              Criteria

Deadline to participate is January 31, 2013
Payment is due upon receipt of application

For more information on participating in the 2013 Arts & Heritage Trail, please contact our sales contractor today!

Jenna Clow
902-368-6332
peiartsandheritagetrail@gmail.com

 “The 35 Million Directors campaign is an excellent, grassroots opportunity to showcase many of the unique experiences offered in Prince Edward Island from a tourism perspective,” said Minister Henderson. “We encourage all residents and visitors to share their stories with the goal of encouraging people from all over the world to visit Canada and Prince Edward Island.”

35 Million Directors was launched by the CTC earlier this week. The goal is to encourage Canadians to help promote tourism nationally through photos and videos submitted to the commission. The best images and videos from across Canada will not only win prizes but will be compiled into a new two-minute video that will be shown all over the world as a promotional tool for Canadian tourism.

“Prince Edward Island’s beautiful scenery, friendly people, tourist attractions, arts and culture, and local food make the province an ideal destination for any type of traveler,” said Minister Henderson. “But on top of that, all those factors often combine to make the Island one of the best locations for a vacation anywhere in the world. Given that, I’m hopeful there will be plenty of stories and beautiful imagery to share.”

The 35 Million Directors promotion runs until September 16. For more information, visit the website at www.35milliondirectors.com.

Media Contact:
Andrew Sprague
Communications Officer
Tourism and Culture
(902) 368-5535

 Today, Prince Edward Island’s Acadian community celebrates the unique history and identity of their culture where, for over 400 years, the Acadian people have contributed to the economic, cultural and social fabric of our Island.

Acadians across Prince Edward Island and elsewhere in Canada have passed on their values and cultural identity from generation to generation which has allowed the Acadian people to continue their significant contribution to society.

August 15th was chosen as National Acadian Day during the first national Acadian convention, held in Memramcook, New Brunswick in 1881.

As Premier, I am proud of what our Acadian people have accomplished and how the Acadian culture continues to play a deep role in making our province a vibrant place to live.

Media Contact:
Geoff Townsend
Director of Communications & Legislative Affairs
Premier’s Office
(902) 368-4400

(Charlottetown, PE – July 6, 2012) St. Mary’s Church, home of the popular Indian River Festival, has been designated a heritage place in recognition of its historical and architectural significance to the Island, says Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson.

“St. Mary’s Church is the true star of the Indian River Festival,” said the minister. “One just needs to hear the acoustics and tour the building to appreciate the details that make this church so architecturally and culturally significant.”

St. Mary’s Church was presented with a certificate and provincial heritage plaque Friday at the opening night of the Indian River Festival.

Constructed between 1900 and 1902, St. Mary’s Church is the largest wooden church in the province with seating for 600. Widely admired for its architectural and acoustic details, the church has many recognizable features, including the dominant 128’ circular tower on the southwest corner decorated with statues of the 12 apostles.

Designed by well-known and accomplished architect William Critchlow Harris in the French Gothic style, St. Mary’s is considered the highlight of his work. The church was built by Nathan MacFarlane, a very skilled master carpenter whose works can be found throughout the province.

In 1987, the Save St. Mary’s campaign was launched to undertake a significant restoration of the church. An overwhelming community response ensured the necessary work was completed. From that campaign, a Sunday summer concert series was established and the Indian River Festival Association evolved to present world-class musical acts and assist in the upkeep of the church.

The church was decommissioned by the Roman Catholic diocese in September 2009 and purchase by the Indian River Festival in 2010. An extensive restoration program was undertaken in 2010 and 2011 under the direction of Indian River Festival Association and the Friends of St. Mary’s, which saw the roof replaced, the exterior painted, the large gothic window restored, and improvements made to the stained glass windows and entranceways.

“The dedication of the community and Islanders to preserving this important building is to be commended,” said the minister.

Properties may be designated as a heritage place under the Heritage Places Protection Act. Designation provides legal protection of the place, and changes to the exterior historic architecture or character-defining elements may require a heritage permit. Nominations for the Register of Heritage Places are reviewed and evaluated by the Heritage Places Advisory Board for a number of criteria.

There are more than 820 Island heritage places listings on the provincial (www.peihistoricplaces.ca) and national (www.historicplaces.ca) Historic Places websites.

Further information regarding Prince Edward Island heritage places and the heritage recognition program can be found at www.peihistoricplaces.ca.

 “Our Government is pleased to support the artisan cooperative in its efforts to upgrade this venue. It certainly brings new excitement to the cooperative and supports economic growth and development in this area,” said Minister Shea. “Celebrating and showcasing these unique handmade Island crafts also encourages youth to keep traditions alive and well for many years to come. Prince Edward Island handmade crafts are often one-of-a kind treasures that are truly unique to the gentle Island.”

The cooperative has remained steadfast in its mission to provide a venue for members to display and market various types of Island made handcrafted products such as quilts, hooked rugs, pottery, hand-knit and crocheted items, wood products and other Acadian-themed crafts.

“The Government of Prince Edward Island is pleased to invest in improvements to the artist’s co-operative where local artists have been creating and selling their crafts for many years,” said Minister MacKinley. “This newly renovated building is a better space for artists to work in and sell their crafts, and it is more welcoming to visitors interested in learning about the rich history and traditions of Acadian culture.”

Members have worked out of the original location since 1967, and since that time the building has gone through a number of renovations to add more space. Each addition formed broken-up spaces which were not ideal for proper showcasing of products and created accessibility issues. With this project, the internal rooms were reconfigured; new display cases, shelving and racks were added; proper lighting was installed to highlight crafted items; and a wheel chair accessible bathroom was created.

“We are very pleased with the revitalization of our facility and with the support we received from the federal and provincial governments that made it all possible,” said Ms. Lorraine Gallant, President La Coopérative d’artisanat d’Abram-Village. “This building and the crafts developed within it are deeply rooted in our Acadian history. It is very important to our community and our Island to seek these investments that will continue to strengthen our diverse culture for future generations.”

The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, contributed $11,723 in the upgrades to the facility. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, invested $11,793 in the renovations.

Media Contact:
Kim Devine
Communications Officer
Fisheries, Aqualculture and Rural Development
(902) 368-5286