The 28th annual James Weir People's Choice art exhibition is now in full swing at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery, thanks to the support of a long-time Weyburn businessman and art lover.
James Weir was the owner and manager of Armitt's Jewellers in Weyburn at the time the Weyburn Arts Council was formed. In fact, Weir was responsible for the formation of the local arts council 47 years ago, making it the first one in the province.
Chair of the Weyburn Arts Council, Sandra Hanni, said that Weir was a forward thinker who wanted good things for the community.
"He was always into the arts," said Hanni. "He wanted to see an exhibition for emerging artists that wanted to display their work in a non-judgmental environment. Basically, he just wanted to support aspiring artists."
Hence, the James Weir People's Choice Exhibition was established, thanks to the generosity of Weir, who put the funds in place to have the first, second, and third place recipients honoured with a plaque year after year. The name of the top artist is also engraved onto a specially made trophy, designed by well-known Saskatchewan artist William Hazzard in 1976.
The first-ever recipient of the James Weir People's Choice Award was well-known Saskatchewan artist Yvette Moore in 1984. The artist who placed first the most times is Walter Suchowolec, who took the trophy seven times between 1987 and 2008.
This year, there are 28 Weyburn and area artists on view at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery and curator Marnie Bernard is encouraging residents to go vote for their three favourite.
"New voters will quickly become aware of what regular voters have known for years - that it is extremely challenging to choose only three favourite works from the wide variety of artworks on display," said Bernard.
Voting will take place throughout the month of January and closes at noon on the 31st. Later that day, winners will be announced at a public gallery reception at 7 p.m.
The exhibit contains a wide variety of mediums including metal and wood work, stone, acrylic, oil and watercolour painting, mixed media, fibre art, stained glass, photography and scratchboard.
The 28 emerging artists whose works are on exhibit are Doris Anderson, Shelly Babiarz, Bill Caird, George David, Jean Fahlman, Jon Gillies, Nicole Griffin, Kathryn Groshong, Jaynie Himsl, Max Himsl, Colette Horack, Tina Hudson, Deanna Kolbinson, Barry Lautner, Jennifer Mang, Marna McManus, Tory Metheral, Donn Morton, Erna Murray, Elnora Olan, Murray Pawlak, Diego Rios, Oscar Rios-Sanchez, Barry Styre, Geraldine Taylor, Heather VanderBreggen, Shelley VandeSype, and Margaret Zelionka.
The Weyburn Arts Council still relies on the generosity of individuals with an eye for art. They recently received a generous donation in memory of Millie Coghill, who was a very active artist in the community.
Millie's grandson, Ian Coghill, has set up an ongoing donation in his grandmother's name. The Millie Coghill Arts Award is an annual endowment of $500 for graduating high school students entering post-secondary education in an artistic field. This annual bursary will replace the Council's Fine Arts Award, which was a $300 yearly scholarship.
The deadline for applications for the new Millie Coghill Arts Award is April 1.
The Arts Council is also seeking applications for new directors.
"This is for anyone who wants to be involved with the arts, you don't have to be artistic," said Hanni.
People willing to share their ideas regarding fundraising and promoting the council are welcome, according to Hanni, and those with computer skills are definitely required for the upkeep of the Council's website at www.weyburnartscouncil.ca.
