From left to right, Melfort Arts Council vice-chair Laurel Korbo and member Leah Henderson setting up oil paintings by Geoff Phillips at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort. (Facebook/Melfort Arts Council)

By Brendan Mayer

Renewed Hope

More northeast Sask. residents appreciating art during pandemic

Feb 16, 2021 | 3:09 PM

More people in northeast Saskatchewan are recognizing the importance of the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Melfort Arts Council chair Joanne Bolen.

“I see people that I never knew were artists decide to start painting and they’re awesome,” Bolen told northeastNOW after a recent arts council meeting. “We’ve been having a lot of Zoom meetings. We have another meeting in three weeks. We are looking for a performing arts director.”

The 12th City Artist Collective put on a pop-up show near the end of 2020 at RJ’s Urban Garden in Melfort. Six artists from the area displayed 10 pieces for the show.

“I’m finding more and more art pop up locally,” Bolen said. “People are realizing that art is therapeutic. There are more people supporting each other right now.”

A collection of oil paintings by Maple Creek artist Geoff Phillips are currently on display at the Kerry Vickar Centre (KVC) in Melfort.

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“He painted them to challenge people to look closer at the environment,” Bolen said. “They are huge paintings. We are very fortunate to have the Kerry Vickar Centre.”

Bolen said the lack of concerts in the area during the pandemic breaks her heart.

“I’m anxious to be able to get that up and running again when we can,” Bolen explained. “My hope is that in the future we will be able to expand on that and maybe bring in workshops with artists and performers. We are in the rebuilding stage.”

Bolen added the arts council may be able to bring live performances to the city again after this fall.

The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) 2021 showcase has tentatively been scheduled for Oct. 15-17 in Regina. The Melfort Arts Council is hoping to send representatives to the event to select artists to perform at the KVC. The showcase could be postponed due to COVID-19.

“It’s an awesome thing (OSAC showcase) to go to,” Bolen said. “We are able to see how we can make arts council better in Saskatchewan. I find that OSAC is very supportive.”

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Brendan.Mayer@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BrendanMayer