These local leaders will share their innovative and inspiring projects and ideas completed during one of the most difficult years, 2020. Learning from peers is one the best ways to spark new ideas within your own community. Regan Lanning (shown above, teaching clay at the WAC s art camp) will talk on the theme, “Re-imagined art programming during the pandemic”. Right now, art and creativity in all its forms are more important than ever. The Weyburn Arts Council (WAC) found new, innovative ways to promote and celebrate art in the community in the past year, while having many of their regular programs and events cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Stars of the Festival was held virtually on Wednesday evening, and the scholarship recipients were announced by emcees Colleen Weimer and Bob King, and the performances were dedicated to the memory of the late June Barber, a a former musician and piano teacher, and the late Isabelle Butters, who was a patron of the arts and a former mayor of Weyburn. Music Festival president Heather Sidloski said in her introduction to the Stars performance, “Although public performances have been limited this year, students have continued their music journey by taking virtual music lessons, practicing at home, and recording performances to share with others.”
The induction ceremony is slated for mid-June. Further details will be announced in the lead-up to the event. The Walk of Fame Committee thanks all those who submitted nominations. For more information on application criteria and a list of inductees, visit the City of Weyburn website: www.weyburn.ca/walk-of- fame/. Kathryn Groshong is a long-term Weyburn resident, moving from the Oungre area with her husband Fred in 1999. A self-taught swimmer at a young age, Groshong entered her first Senior Provincial Games at the age of 70, where she won two bronze medals. She regularly trained at the Weyburn Leisure Centre, and still does to this day at the age of 94.
Any local artists who want to submit a piece into the James Weir People’s Choice must register online by Friday, Dec. 18. Registrations forms can be found on the City of Weyburn website. Works must be received at the Weyburn Public Library by Monday, Jan. 4 by 10 a.m. The Allie Griffin Art Gallery has hosted this multi-artist show since it began in 1984. As a People’s Choice exhibit, it is the residents of Weyburn who vote for their favourites, with the top 10 artists and the overall winner being announced during a gala evening at the end of the exhibit. Any local residents or schools that would like to schedule a guided Zoom gallery tour of the James Weir People’s Choice Exhibit can contact curator Regan Lanning by email weyburnartscouncil@weyburn.ca or phoning (306) 848-3278.