WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SASKATCHEWAN CRAFT & BEYOND?

TOURING EXHIBITIONS

Saskatchewan Craft Council Touring Exhibitions

DIMENSIONS - The SCC’s biennial juried exhibition of the best in Saskatchewan Fine Craft.

View Dimensions 2011 exhibition images...

View Dimensions 2011 Award Ceremony images...

The Godfrey Dean Art Gallery
April - May, 2012
49 Smith St. E, Yorkton, SK
Gallery Hours: Mon - Fri: 11:00am - 5:00pm, Thurs evening: 6:00 - 9:00pm, Sun: 1:00 - 4:00pm

Chapel Gallery
June 1 - July 23, 2012
891 - 99th Street, North Battleford, SK
Open daily: 12:00 - 4:00 pm

PRAIRIE EXCELLENCE - Touring exhibition of 35 juried works representing the present and future of fine craft in the Prairies. Organized by the Craft Councils of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.

Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery
April 28 to August 26, 2012
4525 - 47a Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta
Gallery hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm, Weekends: 12:00 - 4:30 pm

Obsolete Spaces: Wendy Weseen

Organized and Curated by Leslie Potter, Exhibitions/Education Coordinator Saskatchewan Craft Council and toured by the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils.

Wendy Weseen's exhibition, Obsolete Spaces reflects her interest in women and history. Her background and development as an artist has been enriched by her pursuits in nursing and social work. She has degrees in both fields, as well as a BFA. In this exhibition, Wendy Weseen explores the abandonment and decay of homes and buildings in rural Saskatchewan by transforming the gallery into a quiet and contemplative space. Weseen says, "I want to bring to the viewer my sense of these spaces as they were when I confronted them, my impression of what is concealed and revealed and my effort to recreate their time and place."

The obsolete spaces that Weseen focuses on in this exhibition are the second stage of housing built by European settlers. These houses were designed for function and became ruins when they were eventually abandoned. Weseen uses photographic elements and three dimensional collage pieces to capture the essence of this abandonment, a process that took several years to compile. A unique curatorial feature that exists with this proposal is the ability for each venue to borrow items from their local museum (ideally from the 30's) to compliment the exhibition.

Obsolete Spaces comments on a particular period of our history making us reflect on our past - memories of grandparents, different cultural life styles and the effects of change. At the same time, the exhibition's strong visual components have something to say about the history of art making and the purpose of art in general. - Leslie Potter

The exhibition will feature approximately 30 works

CURRENT BOOKINGS

June 01 to 23, 2012
Melville Arts Council, Melville Community Works
August 01 to 23, 2012
Quill Plains Regional Arts Council - Wadena, Quill Plains Regional Arts Council
September 01 to 23, 2012
Quill Plains Regional Arts Council - Wynyard Branch, Wynyard Library - Civic Centre
October 01 to 23, 2012
La Ronge Arts Council, Mistasinik Place
November 01 to 23, 2012
Hudson Bay Allied Arts Council, Brooks Hall
December 01 to 23, 2012
Yorkton Arts Council, Godfrey Dean Art Gallery
January 01 to 23, 2013
Last Mountain Lake Cultural Centre, Regina Beach
March 01 to 23, 2013
Redvers & District Arts Council, Redvers Arts Centre
April 01 to 23, 2013
Assiniboia & District Arts Council, Shurniak Art Gallery
May 01 to 23, 2013
Shellbrook & District Arts Council, Shellbrook Wapati Library
June 01 to 23, 2013
Tisdale Arts Council, Tisdale Community Library
July 01 to 23, 2013
Prince Albert Council for the Arts, Prince Albert Arts Centre
August 01 to 23, 2013
Eatonia Arts Council, Eaton Catalogue House
September 01 to 23, 2013
Melfort Arts Council, Sherven-Smith Art Gallery
October 10 to 23, 2013
Humboldt Area Arts Council, Humboldt Museum/Humboldt Arts Council
November 01 to 23, 2013
Lloydminster Allied Arts Council, Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre
December 01 to 23, 2013
Outlook & District Arts Council, Art Gallery of Outlook
January 01 to 23, 2014
Esterhazy & District Arts Council, Golden Jets Seniors Complex
February 01 to 23, 2014
Weyburn Arts Council, Allie Griffin Art Gallery
April 01 to 23, 2014
Station Arts Centre, Rosthern
May 01 to 23, 2014
Shaunavon Arts Council, Grand Coteau Heritage and Cultural Centre
June 01 to 23, 2014
Watrous Area Arts Council, Watrous Art & Cultural Centre

Consideration about touring an exhibition is determined by many factors, not the least of which is whether or not it can be physically moved from gallery to gallery. First and foremost, however, one has to assess the value of circulating a body of work. Will it benefit the artist(s), the hosting institution, the galleries en-route, the audience and other artists? How will it achieve this?

For an exhibition like “Dimensions”, which has toured for over 3 decades annually, the intent was to reward excellence in craft. Touring became a priority because it meant more exposure for the Fine Craft artists involved. Also, the educational component – showing folks what it is possible to do, and in some cases, how to do it, was invaluable.

For exhibitions like “Prairie Excellence”, the educational component is huge. People within and outside the prairies will be able to see the current level of craft produced in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. As well, makers from each area where it is shown will be influenced by the content of the pieces, and that could be reflected in their own work. There is also a potential for more sales on a tour, which benefits everyone involved, including the buyer.

Basically, touring an exhibition is simply sharing it with more folks. But there are concerns about how you tour, why you tour and where you tour. The opportunity to tour an exhibition like “Prairie Excellence” outside of Canada bolsters the strength of Prairie Craft Artists and provides exposure to completely new audiences.

Les Potter