Happenings.

Zita Cobb Lecture & Film Screening of “Strange & Familiar”

Audacious social entrepreneur Zita Cobb is the founder and CEO of the Shorefast Foundation, and she wants you to think about community. Zita is the driving force behind the astounding rebirth of the small Newfoundland community of Fogo Island, which has become one of the world’s most remarkable cultural destinations. Zita has dedicated her time and money to the creation of not only a spectacular inn and artists’ studios, but also a hugely fruitful social experiment.

Central to the project’s success, Gander-born architect Todd Saunders’ sculpture-like artist studios perched on the rocky shores of Fogo Island created a buzz among worldwide architecture fans when the images were first released. Since then the enchanting studios and the new Fogo Island Inn have been documented in more than 80 international magazines as one of the most celebrated architectural initiatives of the 21st century.

Zita engaged the entire community of Fogo, encouraging them to contribute centuries worth of local knowledge to the project – from local women hooking the rugs and sewing the quilts for the buildings, to the local men turning the furniture and painting the woodwork. Zita will be speaking of her love for this tiny, thriving island at the edge of Canada and share the story behind her community engagement and cultural vision, followed by an audience Q & A.

“Strange & Familiar: Architecture of Fogo Island”
Directed by Katherine Knight and Marcia Connolly
2014, 55 min

Stunningly shot, this award-winning documentary film explores the journey that Zita Cobb and architect Todd Saunders took to realize a dream. This film documents their bold architecture project on this remote island, embracing the excitement of living on the edge in relation to contemporary architecture and design. Gorgeously photographed over all four seasons, the film is a flowing visual narrative that unfolds over time as the Fogo Island Inn is being constructed.

Special thanks to our sponsors:  Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des Arts du Canada; University of New Brunswick; Royal Architectural Institute of Canada | L’Institut royal d’architecture du Canada; Telegraph Journal; Goguen Architecture Inc.