Lanterns for Lumière Arts Festival lighting up the night in Cape Breton

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaCape BretonEntertainment & Life Lanterns for Lumière Arts Festival lighting up the night in Cape Breton Mi’kmaw artist hosts one of four lantern workshops on Saturday Author of the article: By Brendyn Creamer Published Sep 23, 2026 Last updated 0 minutes ago 2 minute read Andrea Dennis hosts one of four lantern workshops at the Membertou Heritage Park during the Lumière Arts Festival. Last year, she and her participants made tipis. PHOTO BY LUMIERE ARTS FESTIVAL Article content The Lumière Arts Festival lights up Sydney this weekend, but the reach of the three-day celebration goes beyond the downtown core. Article content Article content Every year, lantern workshops are hosted across Cape Breton. On Saturday between 1-4 p.m., people will be able to make their own lights to display at the festival’s Art at Night event later that evening at 7 p.m. at the McConnell Library on Charlotte Street. Article content Article content The workshops will be held at the McConnell library in Sydney, the Glace Bay library, North Sydney library, and the Membertou Heritage Park. The event is sponsored by Membertou. Article content Andrea Dennis has led several of these workshops in Membertou over the last several years. Article content “Last year, I did a small tipis,” she said. “The year before that, a Chinese lantern.” Article content This year, Dennis wanted to teach people how to create dream catcher lanterns. Article content “I want people to know that dreams can come true,” Dennis said. Article content Even as she was on the phone to chat about her workshop, Dennis was crafting in the background, beading orange shirts for the upcoming Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Her hands are always at work she says, in part to keep busy. Article content “When somebody asks me if you want to create something, I’m like, ‘Yes,’” she said. Article content The Lumière Arts Festival features an Art at Night event every year, where contemporary art is made visible across downtown Sydney for people to view and interact with. The lanterns made at the workshops will be placed outside the library on Charlotte Street. PHOTO BY COREY KATZ Article content ART AND CULTURE Article content Helping out with the lantern workshop during the Lumière festival is a way for her to pass on the passion for her craft to those who are interested in…