Ron Ror recently stepped in to the position of Curator for the Weyburn Arts Council. Originally from Goodwater, Ron has spent nearly five decades in performing arts.
Throughout his extensive education and career, Ror has always worked within the arena of theatre and television. He spent 20 years with CBC-TV in Toronto, starting as Set Decorator in the design department and then as a Film Producer. Throughout western Canada, Ror has managed various theatres and has also contributed scripts that have been performed by a number of theatre troupes.
Last year, for his home town's centennial, Ror authored and self-published a book of historical fiction entitled, 'Tales From the Goodwater Hotel.'
"I worked harder on that book than I did at any job I ever had," he said, adding that the book was the result of his first attempt at retirement. The extra time enabled him to accomplish his homage to the town and its lore.
"I enjoyed the writing. I did most of it in the middle of the night," he said, adding that he deliberately writes fiction, but that it always has a beginning in truth.
"I came here to retire, but I had always wanted to contribute to the arts in Weyburn, so I am quite happy to have this opportunity," he said, noting that the change of pace will permit him to also continue his writing career.
While not one to take himself or retirement too seriously, Ror appreciates the new challenges that come with his transition to a more visual-arts centred role.
Weyburn's Art scene also stands to benefit from Ror's 'fresh set of eyes' and grounded attention to detail.
"I wouldn't presume to call myself an artist," Ror admitted. However, according to WAC president Heather Van der Breggen, his skill set is highly transferrable.
"I'm excited about his perspective," she said. "He has a lot of experience with grant-writing and putting on events. He knows how to gather a group of people to accomplish a goal."
"He's taking those writing skills, those directing skills, and he is applying them to this visual art journey that he's on and I think that's really exciting," said Van der Breggen.
She added that she is also glad that he demonstrates a strong appreciation for the art works in the City of Weyburn's Permanent Art Collection.
As curator, Ror is in charge of cataloguing and rotating the Permanent Collection, which is already keeping him busy. In addition to public relations duties, Ror will also facilitate any gallery-based events that take place in the Allie Griffin or the Weyburn Credit Union Gallery.
"Right now I'm tracing through all of the acquisition records and matching up the numbers," he noted. "Everything has a number." He added that the measurement systems through the years had gone from standard to metric and back and to standard again, requiring a type of tedious tasking, which Ror actually enjoys.
The records go back to 1972, although many pieces were acquired far earlier in Weyburn's history. Ror is still tracking down some of the archive records.
There are 122 works in the permanent collection, with one item being a very valuable 100-piece collection of Courtney Milne photographs, which Ror is currently arranging to have framed. They have been part of the permanent collection for a number of years and have not been seen yet by the public.
Once a year, themes are pulled from the collection and are featured at the Allie Griffin Gallery, which is located within the lower level of the Weyburn Public Library. The exhibit currently being featured, 'Nightworks', brings together the pieces that take place at night time and includes a painting by Michael Lonechild.
Ror is happy to be able to place a never-before-seen painting by a local artist who passed away 20 years ago. Post-humously, Chuck Crate will have his art shown in a local gallery for the first time.
WAC and Ron Ror are looking forward to offering Weyburn residents more exposure to the City's art works, as they are indeed hidden treasures.
"Even if it's only yearly at the Allie Griffin," he said. "It has got to be seen to be appreciated."
