Johnstone's 'Blue Boat at Morning Lake.' (Submitted photo/Hilary Johnstone)

By Derek Cornet

Talented People

Tri-Community artist featured in solo fabric work exhibit in Saskatoon

Nov 10, 2023 | 4:59 PM

Tri-community artist Hilary Johnstone will be featured in a solo exhibit called Yellow Canoe at the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery in Saskatoon.

The exhibit, which will be available for public viewing between Nov. 14 and Jan. 6, 2024, is a collection of around 20 fabric artwork pieces produced by Johnstone over the last eight years or so. The show presents an intimate perspective of the boreal forest and provides a unique representation of nature in a way to extend a personal understanding and relationship to the shorelines, forests, and skies of Saskatchewan.

“The work kind of covers a broad amount of time,” Johnstone said. “In 2015, there were some fire pieces I did following the evacuation. When I got back from evacuation, I did some based on the wildfires and they kind of go on from there and go right up to the present day. I finished one just this week to put in the show.”

Some of the works included in the collection were featured in a co-exhibit with local artist Caron Dubnick at Regina’s Government House throughout the summer. The fabric artwork included there showcased work inspired by a June 2021 retreat to Morning Lake. That was made possible by a $6,400 Independent Artists grant from SK Arts.

“I got accepted in 2021 to have a show, which is the same year I did my SK Arts grant, so I knew I’d have lots of work ready,” Johnstone said.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

She mentioned she also recently received a microgrant to enable her to have the sketches she produced during the retreat framed to go up on display, as well as deliver her work. She joined the Saskatchewan Craft Council as a juried member about three years ago and this is her first time she’s hosting an exhibit with them.

“Pitcher Plants in the Muskeg, 2023. 19″ x 18” fabric, thread, batting. (Submitted photo/Hilary Johnstone)

Poster with Yellow Canoe exhibit information. (Submitted photo/Saskatchewan Craft Council)

An opening reception will be held Nov. 25 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the gallery. That will be followed by a fabric collage workshop on Nov. 26 between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Those interested in the workshop must register in advance and there is a limit of 10 participants.

Johnson would like to thank SK Arts, the Saskatchewan Craft Council, and the Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC) for supporting her artistry.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com