2015 Atlantic Journalism Awards Finalists
Attachments
| Slug/Label | Paying Tribute to a Historic Program |
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| Date Aired or Published | May 9, 2015 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | Telegraph-Journal |
| Name of Program: | |
| If co-produced, list partner: | |
| Location: | Saint John |
| List awards, grants: | |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: During the first half of the 20th century, career options were limited for young women in Canada -- and pursuing opportunities in the arts was uncommon. But Mount Allison University’s applied arts program, which ran from 1906 until 1960, pioneered the path of professional fine craft in Canada, offering graduates a new range of post-university career options. It stands as one of the earliest of its kind in the country and played an important role in the school's history. The Telegraph-Journal’s arts feature “Paying Tribute to a Historic Program” shone a light on an arts program that was widely unknown. It illustrated the applied arts program’s significant place in Canadian history, and showcased an exhibition the university hosted last year about the program -- marking the first time the program had been honoured collectively. Though the applied arts program at the Sackville university may have been phased out in 1960, the course left a long-lasting impact on multiple generations of graduates and their families. After researching the program, it became clear that it was about more than just the creation of useful, pretty things -- woodcarving, weaving, embroidery, leatherwork. Many graduates played an invaluable role in the war effort, while others went on to establish now well-known Atlantic artisan institutions. The Telegraph-Journal received a surprising number of letters in response to this piece, including one from Patricia Tingley, whose mother, Joan Tingley graduated from the program in 1951. The story was published in the Telegraph-Journal two days after Joan’s passing. Having regarded her years at Mount Allison as some of the best of her life, portions of the piece were read aloud at her funeral. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: Freelancer Victoria Dekker was assigned this feature. She worked on it for a little more than a week, researching the program, speaking with people who graduated from it, as well as the curators of the exhibition. By the time the story was on our radar, it was close to the opening day of the exhibition, so we needed to work hard under a tight deadline to gather images and tell an important story. |
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