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New direction, strong future planned for Shurniak Art Gallery

The Shurniak Gallery board are working to create a strong future for this unique community and cultural space.
Shurniak Art Gallery
The death of gallery founder William Shurniak in 2020 was a profound and significant loss for the Shurniak Gallery.

ASSINIBOIA - The Shurniak Gallery board of directors recently met for strategic planning and a directors’ meeting.

The death of gallery founder William Shurniak in 2020 was a profound and significant loss for the Shurniak Gallery. The board and staff are now working to create a strong future for this unique community and cultural space.

In August 2021 the organization changed its status, becoming a “charitable organization”. The board’s recent strategic planning sessions offered extensive discussions about the new and exciting challenges and opportunities that lay in its future.

The newly adopted Mission Statement speaks to the overall purpose of the gallery: “By sharing and celebrating its collection, gallery and legacy, the Shurniak builds an inclusive community through arts experiences that inform, stimulate, and inspire.”

As the board of directors moves ahead to policy development, fundraising, and committee work, they look forward to renewed community engagement, support and innovative arts programming in 2022.

Board members include: Heather Shurniak – chair, Mark Ealey – vice chair, Mayor Sharon Schauenberg – Town of Assiniboia representative, Crystal Thorburn – Assiniboia and District Arts Council representative, Jake Moore – University of Sask representative, Graham Harvey – Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce representative, and Dean Bauche – independent arts consultant.

Staff at the gallery include: Jared Williams, operations and collections manager; Sandra Peutert, administration and finance; and Gail Mergen, communications and special projects. Tom Mountain is secretary to the charitable organization.

The Shurniak Gallery board continue to welcome all donations at Box 1178, Assiniboia, SK, S0H 0B0. Receipts are issued for amounts of $20 or more.