Mississippi Valley Textile Museum to explore themes of identity, memory and belonging with two new exhibitions

Next month, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) will welcome visitors to two new exhibitions that use textile art to explore themes of identity, memory, family and belonging through deeply personal and thought-provoking works.

MVTM shared on Wednesday, July 15 that the opening reception, or vernissage, for “Unfinished Journey: Memory, Identity, & Family” and “Queer Newfoundland Hockey League” will take place on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Although distinct in style and subject matter, both exhibitions invite visitors to reflect on how personal stories, cultural traditions and shared experiences help shape identity.

“Unfinished Journey: Memory, Identity, & Family,” by internationally recognized textile artist Anne Kelly, draws from her own life and memories, weaving together memories of travel and experiences living in both Canada and the United Kingdom. Using vintage and reclaimed textiles, Kelly’s work layers history and nostalgia into each piece while exploring the connections between past, present and future.

At the heart of the exhibition is Kelly’s signature piece, “Unfinished Journey Canoe,” a textile sculpture that symbolizes her personal journey and the evolving nature of family, identity and home, according to the release.

“I am delighted to be exhibiting at this historic community museum in Almonte,” Kelly said. “As a Canadian living in the UK it’s great to be able to reach across countries and cultures to share my textile artist life.”

In contrast, multidisciplinary artist Lucas Morneau’s “Queer Newfoundland Hockey League” examines Canadian hockey culture through a queer lens, using handcrafted textile pieces to challenge stereotypes and reclaim language historically used against members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The exhibition imagines a fictional hockey league made up of 14 teams whose names reclaim derogatory terms once directed at queer individuals, as explained by the MVTM. Featuring hand-crocheted and rug-hooked jerseys along with crocheted goalie masks, the collection combines traditional fibre arts with photography, video and performance to explore gender, identity and the intersection of sport and queer culture.

By using crafting techniques historically undermined as “women’s work,” Morneau’s exhibition aims to challenge traditional ideas surrounding masculinity, hockey and Canadian identity.

“Employing drag and gender performance as a central tool in their practice, Lucas blends textiles, photography, video, and performance to queer Canadian cultural traditions and pastimes to challenge heteronormativity and homophobia,” details the MVTM.

“I am super excited to bring ‘Queer Newfoundland Hockey League’ to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum and to Almonte,” Morneau said. “I look forward to visiting and learning more about the town’s important history to Canada’s textile history.”

MVTM Executive Director and Curator Michael Rikley-Lancaster said both exhibitions demonstrate the power of textile art to tell meaningful stories and challenge audiences to think in different ways, encouraging conversations about inclusion and acceptance.

“We are honoured to showcase Anne Kelly at the Museum once again—this time for a solo exhibition,” Rikley-Lancaster said. “I am always in awe of her intense and beautiful stitching. To me, it’s a mix between stitching in place of a paintbrush and the incredible stitching of a crazy quilt. I look forward to this journey with Anne, and sharing it with the local community.”

Rikley-Lancaster equally praised Morneau, saying his work is helping break stereotypes “between the sport that some in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community enjoy and the love they can’t ignore,” adding, “We look forward to this humorous yet poignant exhibition.”

Both exhibitions will remain on display until Sept. 20.