Miriam Körner, an author and illustrator from Air Ronge, Sask., received a grant from SK Arts to help her finish a children's book that addresses climate grief. (Submitted photo/Miriam Körner)

By Teena Monteleone

Creative Funding

Local artists awarded SK Arts grants

Jan 31, 2022 | 4:00 PM

An artist from Air Ronge, SK recently received an $8,500 Independent Artists grant from SK Arts to help create and illustrate a children’s book — one of several grants across the north.

For Miriam Körner, writing and illustrating are a form of therapy. She authors children’s books that address climate grief and climate change in a literary way. Her newest book, ‘Fox and Bear’, is a ‘modern fable’ inspired by the north and the understanding that everything people and animals need is provided by the forest.

“There were loggers coming in and starting to clearcut areas that are precious to me. Another area was being threatened by a peat mining proposal and I felt this incredible grief and sadness seeing the places I love destroyed and the lack of respect people have for these places. So, the ‘Fox and Bear’ book is like a therapy for me,” Körner said.

More than 100 grants from SK Arts were awarded to individuals and organizations totalling $840,000.

“It’s a struggle as a writer and illustrator to make a living and find the time and the money to create,” said Körner. “So, the Saskatchewan Arts board is a really wonderful organization doing this.”

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Körner takes a unique approach to illustrating her latest newest children’s book ‘Fox and Bear.’ (Submitted photo/Miriam Körner)

Körner’s illustrations for ‘Fox and Bear’ are unique and time consuming. She makes cut-outs of the characters and scenes using recycled cardboard and paper and then assembles them in a diorama which she photographs. One of her previous books with coauthor Bernice Johnson-Laxdal called “When the Trees Crackle with Cold: A Cree Calendar” received a Children’s Literacy Award. She said the SK Arts grants provide sustenance for artists looking to do creative projects.

Bobby Janvier of La Loche, Sask. will also benefit from a grant. He received a $7,500 Indigenous Peoples Art and Artists grant to build a separate workshop to safely continue art projects, like woodworking, outside.

The Indigenous People’s Art and Artists program aims to increase access to public funding by Indigenous artists in the province, either to develop their artistic and cultural practices or to share their art, skills and teachings.

“It’s all natural from the wilderness. I don’t use bought lumber. I make small and miniature things like crafts….build tables, chairs, sleds, toboggans and cabins,” Janvier said.

An example of the artist by Bobby Janvier of La Loche, Sask. (Submitted photo/Bobby Janvier)

James Smith of Muskoday First Nation received a $2,000 grant to illustrate a book that has Elders’ stories from all over Saskatchewan. Lucy Fern from Prince Albert also received $2,000 to create 10 new pieces of artwork to showcase. Richard Lafferty will do modern Metis storytelling through photography and voice with his $2,000 grant. The resulting creative work will be shared through multimedia platforms. And, Shawn Blackman, received a $2,492 Equipment Purchase Fund grant to buy an Amp Profiler, which is essential equipment needed to expand into live music performance and remote recording.

Established in 1948, SK Arts is the oldest public arts funder in North America.

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Teena.Monteleone@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW