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The Weyburn Arts Council’s commitment to community engagement has taken a refreshing turn by embracing the outdoors in its programming initiatives. The initiatives feature local artists turning public spaces into dynamic canvases that celebrate local talent. The Weyburn Arts Council has successfully transformed the outdoor landscape into an inclusive gallery. By involving both local artists and community members in these initiatives, the council has not only showcased artistic talent within Weyburn but has also fostered a strong sense of connection.

Regan Lanning of the Weyburn Arts Council said when the doors to the gallery and programming spaces shut in 2020, they immediately started to look for other methods and manners of delivering programming.

Before the Arts Council started expanding its programming scope to include venues outside of the gallery, its reach was limited to people already aware of its programming. By taking art outside, they’ve connected with individuals who may not have identified as avid art enthusiasts. The decision to take art to the streets and parks of Weyburn has unveiled avenues of partnership, collaboration, and enjoyment that were previously untapped.

“We have continued putting an emphasis on public, free programming, and art outside of the gallery walls as a way of getting the community involved. For us, that has been using our community as a gallery and programming area,” said Lanning.

The Weyburn Arts Council has been actively incorporating the outdoors in its programming through initiatives such as the Jubilee Park Murals, transforming baseball dugouts into vibrant works of art. Their annual Gifted Summer Art Market in Jubilee Park has become a community highlight, offering a blend of art, entertainment, kids’ activities, food, and more. During Pride month, the Council adds a colorful touch to the city by painting the crosswalks outside City Hall in a vibrant rainbow. As part of Culture Days, the Weyburn Arts Council hosted the 2nd annual Treaty 4 Timeline Walk for Reconciliation in Jubilee Park, the walk takes readers through life on Treaty 4 land from pre-contact to the current day.

“The outdoor experience is much more relaxed and extremely accessible. People can enjoy at their leisure, without having the goal of their outdoor activity be art appreciation. It sneaks up on them. While enjoying our gallery is always free, it does require going to the actual gallery. Taking in the public art just requires leaving the house,” Lanning explained.

Inspired by a workshop hosted by South East District on “winter town” concepts, the Weyburn Arts Council brought a unique programming idea to life in the community – “Rollin with the Gnomies.”

“As most of our outside programming happens in the summer, we attended the presentation hoping to be inspired, and we certainly were! From the idea of holding a winter scavenger hunt, we developed our Rolling with the Gnomies program.

Members of the Arts Council got together in January to create several hand-built pottery gnomes. Those gnomes are fired in the kiln and then given names and personalities. We created a Facebook group called ‘Rollin with the Gnomies’ where we introduce the gnomes, and then hide them in our community one by one over a series of weeks. A picture of the gnome is taken in its hiding spot and a clue to where it is located is posted to the Facebook group. Participants then go find the gnome, hide the gnome in a new location, and then post a picture and clue to its new location.

When rolling out this program, we assumed that the program would mostly be enjoyed by young families. Young families certainly did enjoy looking for the gnomes, but so did people of all ages! It has proven a wonderful way of getting people outside, fostering friendships, and fighting the mid-winter blues.”

The feedback regarding their outdoor programming is overwhelmingly positive. Not only do community members express their enjoyment and engagement with the programs, but they also actively request additional offerings.

Photo Credit: Regan Lanning, Weyburn Arts Council

There is a growing movement of communities seeking to improve and welcome winter opportunities, and the Town of Redvers is one of them!  Winterfest is an annual winter festival held in the town of Redvers. The first event was in the winter of 2017, in 2023, Winterfest was hosted on December 9th.  The day included a number of engaging outdoor activities, and festive programming was provided to bring joy and warmth to the community.

Winterfest offers a diverse range of activities, including craft time for children of all ages, a gnome scavenger hunt, thrilling axe throwing, tractor sleigh rides, a firefighter obstacle course, Lighting of the Memory Tree Memorial Service, and Christmas carols, a chance to skate with the Redvers Rockets, a cozy gathering around the Fireman’s bonfire and a lively Winterfest Parade.

The success was significantly influenced by the contributions of the Winterfest committee, volunteers, local businesses, and community members.

Kendra Miller, a Winterfest committee member, said, “We, as a committee, put a ton of work into this event. There are only five of us, so it’s a lot of work. Our sponsors are so generous that we couldn’t do it without them. They make it so that everything we offer is free so everyone can attend no matter their financial situation.”

“We have such amazing positive feedback every year. Many say it’s their kid’s favourite day of the year. Seeing all the kids out all bundled up and running around town with huge smiles on their faces is so awesome! They all look forward to taking their photos with Santa.”

Kendra continues, “I find the parade to be so much fun. Seeing everyone out watching the parade in the cold with all the Christmas music and lights on the floats is super fun.”

“We also always have a good turnout for the skate with the senior Rockets. This is how we always wrap up the day and it’s great. We always have great attendance. So many kids think the Rockets are superstars so it’s really fun to see them taking photos with them and having fun!”

The committee comprises Kendra Miller, Kayleen Gaudet, Megan Ellison, Jena Cowan, and Samantha Matthewson.

The Winterfest committee extends heartfelt gratitude for the support brought to the event. The community presence and active participation played a pivotal role in achieving the event’s tremendous success!

Designing a “winter city or town” is about drawing focus and access to the great things winter brings while reducing the barriers. The outcome can be a more accessible, inclusive, active, prosperous, and livable community during the year’s coldest months. Check out the South East District website at southeastdistrict.ca for ideas and tools on how to embrace winter in your community!

Check out their event page on Facebook!

In the village of Odessa, a unique sport has become a big part of the community, creating bonds of friendship and promoting physical fitness for nearly five decades. The story of Odessa’s broomball league dates back to 1983 when Annette Gaetz brought the game with her when she moved to the village. Today in Odessa, there are two men’s teams, a women’s team, a junior boy’s team, and combined bantam and midget teams with both boys and girls.

Broomball in Odessa is a sport for all ages and genders, welcoming participants as young as 10 and extending the joy of play until the age of 60. With recreational mixed leagues accommodating players of all skill levels, from beginners to the experienced, it fosters inclusivity by enabling both males and females to play together. It is a sport that you can play for a long time and at different levels of competitiveness and is available for all to play.

“Broomball is a fantastic sport for physical fitness; you’re constantly running or jogging, unlike the gliding in hockey. From a social perspective, this aspect is often as enjoyable, if not more so, than the game itself. The tight-knit broomball community ensures familiarity among members, creating a close, interconnected group,” explains Annette Gaetz.

Annette continues, “Social activities, including banquets post-provincials, nationals, or tournaments, contribute to the overall experience. Weekend trips to tournaments and hotel stays provide excellent opportunities for meaningful connections, making broomball not just a game but a great avenue to meet people and form lasting friendships, both within your community and across the province.”

Behind the scenes, volunteers are the backbone of Odessa’s broomball league. From coaches and managers to board members and tournament organizers, the entire operation is a labour of love by dedicated community members. Their commitment ensures the sport’s survival and success.

What advice does Annette have for someone interested in joining broomball? “What is the worst that could happen? It is very similar to hockey and provides great exercise and most people who try it really seem to enjoy it. Broomball is a great opportunity to meet people and have a lot of fun and play a cost-effective sport.”

Interested in bringing broomball to your community and expanding on the many sports your local rink can offer? Check out Saskatchewan Broomball Association for information on their loaner kits and grassroots development programs at https://www.saskbroomball.ca/. Fun Fact: Recreational broomball teams are easily formed since a skill such as skating is not required to participate, and initial equipment costs are relatively low compared to those of other sports like hockey.

On June 10, Métis Local 44 and people from across the region celebrated the dedication of the new permanently-installed tipi at Bradley Park in Moosomin.

The tipi will serve as a space for teaching youth and people in the community about the local Métis Nation and its heritage.

From Saskatchewan’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Community Enhancement Grant program, the community was able to build the tipi in Moosomin to support Métis early learning and child care programming.

People from the community and surrounding area attended the event, sharing traditional stories with one another and dancing to music, played by Métis fiddler Jason Lepine.

“This is a historic day, I’m proud of what we achieved, a permanent functional symbol of our culture as Métis people in Saskatchewan,” said Ed Blondeau, president of Métis Local 44 in Moosomin.

“A tipi is meant for shelter and a place to gather. This structure will serve for those purposes for everyone in this community.

“It will also serve to educate and highlight the way of life Métis have always led here.”

Inside of the tipi are various pictures of ancestors and families of Métis people who live in Moosomin, or who once lived in the area.

There is also an electronic kiosk inside of the shelter which will be used to show stories of local ancestors, as well as some history, and local information that will evolve and change over time.

“I was raised to be aware of my Métis heritage and to be proud of it at home and among the family, but not so much when we were out in the general public,” said Blondeau tearfully.

“It was quietly taught to us that it was better not to mention it, to fit in. Times have changed, our children, our grandchildren are openly embracing being Métis and it’s helping us to teach them how to do that.

“That’s what building this tipi meant to me. The way to make our heritage part of our community, to let our culture be visible and dedicate our spiritual space to keep our stories alive.”

The Métis Local 44 applied for the grant to have the project set up back in November.

Blondeau said the preparation and installation of the whole project came together quickly.

“From November to now wasn’t much time, but everything turned out really well,” he said.

“Hopefully this helps people learn and helps people teach others. We have the kiosk in there, and the town has been really good. They’ve been really helpful so that’s hugely appreciated.

“We did this with a community enhancement grant and you can’t get more community than this, everyone has been involved.”

Blondeau thanked people and groups in the community for their help with developing the project in the last six months.

“I have many people to thank for this project being so successful, first the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (MN-S), the Early Learning Child Care Community Enhancement Grant, they provided us the funding to encourage us to get this project going,” he said.

“The Town of Moosomin, especially the recreation department and Mike Schwean. He’s been enthusiastic right from the beginning. We absolutely could not have accomplished this without him.

“Another person that’s been a real good force in this is my wife Cindy, she’s been pushing us and it has been working.

“To the town public works crew, they’ve gone above and beyond to make this happen.

“The McNaughton High School for the interview (with elder Theresa Ireland about her life story which will be included on the kiosk), as well as the library, right in front of the tipi. There’s a little library box that will be there all of the time. It will have Indigenous books in it and everything else. Anyone who wants to use it, they sure can.

“To all of the contractors who contributed to this project, they were very helpful and were interested by doing everything possible to make sure everything went according to plan.

“To Moosomin Local 44, all of the hardworking members who showed up so many times and brought this vision to life.

“I want to thank my mother Rita Blondeau for keeping the Métis traditions part of my life. I dedicate this place to her and all of our ancestors.

“I also dedicate this structure to our children. I invite you all to come and shelter and gather here on the traditional Métis homeland, to learn about the Métis culture, and hear our stories.”

In front of the tipi is a plaque dedicated to Métis Nation-Saskatchewan ancestors.

Now with the tipi as a permanten structure, the community will have a dedicated space for Métis educational activities and children’s programs that local schools, child care centres and groups in town can use.

Article Credit: Sierra D’Souza Butts, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, the World-Spectator

Geanna Dunbar’s artist residency at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum

The following information was collected during an interview with the artist on September 08th, 2023, while on location during a two-week-long mini-artist residency at the Estevan Art Gallery & Museum, Estevan, SK.

“Altar-Native”, September 08th – November 10th, 2023

“Reconcil-onialism”, September 08th – November 10th, 2023

Geanna Dunbar is a Cree-Métis artist who lives in Regina.  To pin down her creative research and explorations is an absolute exercise in futility; she is a tattooist and piercer and provides body modification; she is also an entrepreneur, mixed media artist, public art enthusiast, collaborator, and maker, not to mention she is a traditional Indigenous tattooist, having completed an apprenticeship with Indigenous artist and tattooer Stacey Fayant. The simple moniker of artist would suffice but lacks the nuance and the understanding one has when the journey is somewhat spelled out – and provides context for what inspires her and brings her to this body of work.

Currently, her artworks fill both gallery spaces at the Estevan Art Gallery & Museum.

The artwork in the Gallery I space, in the “Altar-Native” exhibition, represents the past and present periods of time and the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous people in Saskatchewan.  The mixed media artworks combine two and three-dimensional materials and, as the name implies, represent her version of altars.  These composites contain religious elements but are not specifically religious. The intention is to provide context for discussion around colonialism and its effect on practicing Indigenous traditional beliefs.  Each altar also contains organic elements and items ethically sourced and obtained by Geanna in her interactions with Indigenous artisans, elders, friends, and family throughout different treaties.  She states, “We are all part of an ecosystem and world,” and thears provide space for the many ancestors, allowing them to take up space.

If the altars represent the past and present, the mural depicts the present and future of growing up Indigenous in the 21st century in an urban location. Unlike the altars that are earthy in tone and feel, Geanna’s mural is vibrant and graphic.  The palettes and media have been carefully considered. Walking from one space to another generates a feeling akin to shifting from looking at sepia-toned vintage photography to contemporary graphic design.   The mural in the Gallery II space is temporary, painted onto canvas; it will be removed once her exhibition ends.  “Reconcil-onialism” spans the entirety of one of its walls. Thematics explored in this work include decolonization and healing from generational trauma. An overall design of the mural was created before arriving at the gallery. However, she did leave some aspects open to occur organically.  “Reconcil-onialism” explores resistance – both of society to change and Indigenous people forging ahead and furthering their culture.  Studying the mural provides context that there is much work to do, but there is hope.

The residency ended in a public meet and greet with the artist on September 15th, where she spoke to the attendees about her inspirations and what the artworks meant to her.  The last component of the residency included a return to Estevan to create two smaller murals with local school-age children that focused on reconciliation.

The South East Sport, Culture, and Recreation District would like to thank Geanna for meeting with us, sharing her knowledge and processes, and letting us photograph her work in progress. It provided so much insight and was a joy to see and discuss.  We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Tye Dandridge-Evancio as the new Director/Curator at the Estevan Art Gallery & Museum.  Welcome to the South East District, Tye!

Both exhibitions are open to the public until November 10, 2023.  Admission is free.  For the most up-to-date information regarding exhibitions, classes/workshops, events, hours, and more, visit www.eagm.ca.

Heritage Village Days in Weyburn provides visitors with a unique journey back in time, inviting them to step into the shoes of their ancestors and wander through a replica village spanning the turn of the century to the 1940s. Heritage Village Days has been apart of many locals’ celebrations each year (the Friday after August long weekend) and continues to be a great success.

Heritage Village operates primarily through the efforts of a dedicated board, volunteers, and seasonal staff. Without the contributions of these groups, the event is not possible. These dedicated individuals assist with event organization, setup, and execution of the event. The commitment of the board, volunteers, and staff is deeply appreciated year after year, as they ensure the success of Heritage Village Days, making it an exceptional event.

The event received a lot of positive feedback from guests regarding the range of demonstrations offered, including experiences like fur trapping, the art of crafting homemade ice cream and engaging live musical performances.

Financial support from various businesses and grants play a crucial role in purchasing necessary supplies.

Over the course of two days, the event welcomes over a thousand guests, spanning generations from toddlers to seniors. Regardless of age, each visitor discovers something to treasure in this immersive experience!

Article/Photo Credit: Ryan Dale, Leisure Services Manager, City of Weyburn

The community of Milestone wanted a year-round outdoor facility that would be enjoyed by all ages. The goal was to build a place that bridges the seasonal gaps between the ice rink and the swimming pool and create a space where the joys of sports and recreation are not bound by the constraints of weather.

Research and planning for the Co-op Community Sport Court began in 2020, and recently the Sport Court officially opened to the community to start using and enjoying. The project received multiple grants, including Co-op Community Spaces, ParticipACTION, and the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, and private donations to help fund the project.

The 60′ x 100 ‘ court is equipped with a multi purpose sport court tile system that allows users to play basketball, ball hockey, tennis, badminton and pickleball year-round on.

“The biggest challenges were time constraints and finances. Everything took much longer than we anticipated in the initial phase to get everything in line to break ground, so we were up against the weather last fall” explains Leanne Sjodin, Milestone Community Sport Court Board Member.⁠

“Our community came together over the course of a few weekends to build forms, tie rebar, and assist with the preparation of the pad. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the countless volunteer hours! Our contractors all worked our project into their schedules as well to ensure we could beat the winter weather.”

“The location of the court is also ideal as it brings together the campground area with the playground and swimming pool. The area is somewhere families can come and spend a whole day!” Leanne said.

Photo Credit: Milestone Community Sport Court Board