Many talents at Old Home Week
P.E.I. Women’s Institute hosting handcrafts, horticulture and arts show
The P.E.I. Women’s Institute (WI) is hoping its Old Home Week exhibition of handcrafts, horticulture and arts will draw visitors, and maybe attract new members. The show is on display on the second level of the Eastlink Centre during the provincial exhibition and fair. “Our population is getting older,” said Pat MacKinnon, who is on the board of directors of the provincial WI. “The lifestyle of the younger generation... they live at a faster pace.” MacKinnon, who doesn’t do any crocheting, sewing, or any type of artwork herself, says prospective members don’t need to be an artist or a talented sewer to be part of WI. “When I first started, volunteers would ask, ‘Oh now how do you do this?’ and I haven’t got a clue,” MacKinnon said, walking through the quilt room, admiring the artwork hanging from the walls. “There is beautiful work that people do.” Farida Chishti, who is the institute’s exhibition chairwoman, says quilting is a very important tradition for the organization. “It’s wonderful, wonderful work from the ladies. Some of (the quilters) are 92 years old.” It’s one of the traditions the WI is hoping to keep alive by offering the competition and exhibition at Old Home Week, Chishti said. The Women’s Institute has been a part of Old Home Week for 95 years. “It used to be outside where the rides are,” said Chishti. “It was long before I became a member and chairperson of the exhibition.” Chishti, who also sits on the board of directors, says the institute is very appreciative of all its volunteers. They put out an annual call for members to come down and help out. “Last year a 102-year-old lady came,” she said. But the institute also encourages young people, said Chishti, pointing to a section with paintings and photography lining tables and walls, and propped up on easels. “This whole side is for the youth,” she said. “They create and design themselves.” As well as arts and crafts, the WI offers competitions for food, flowers and vegetables. To learn more about PEIWI, visit www.peiwi.ca or visit the handcrafts, horticulture and arts show exhibition at the 2018 Old Home Week on the second level of the Eastlink Centre.