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Exhibition at Allie Griffin Art Gallery celebrates local art roots of women artists

The Weyburn Arts Council is presenting an exhibition of unique art works at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery by a special group of women who share a common thread: all are formerly of Weyburn or had a strong association with Weyburn in their youth.

The Weyburn Arts Council is presenting an exhibition of unique art works at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery by a special group of women who share a common thread: all are formerly of Weyburn or had a strong association with Weyburn in their youth.The exhibition will be at the gallery from June 1 to 25, inclusive, located on the lower level of the Weyburn Public Library. There is no charge and the public is welcome to view the art work during the librarys normal hours.The idea for the show came from local resident and artist Jan Keating. Through mutual friends, Jan became aware of other former friends and classmates from Weyburn who were involved as artists, and she began contacting them. She felt it would be a special opportunity for these women to come back to their hometown and to share what they have developed in their respective artistic endeavours to date.Although some of the artists are professional and have had many shows and currently display their work in galleries in other provinces, this will be the first time any of these artists will have a showing of their work in Weyburn where they formed their artistic roots, said curator Marnie Bernard.The artists include Jan Keating, Weyburn; Tara Keating, Weyburn; Janis Eaglesham, Maple Ridge, B.C.; Jane Johnston (nee Bowden), Maple Ridge, B.C.; Gina Rubin, Maple Ridge, B.C.; Beatrice Bell (nee Goranson), Windsor, Ont.; Doris Wilson (nee Goranson), Rathwell, Man.; Diane York (nee Goranson), Saskatoon; Jean Chose (nee McAnsh), Vancouver, B.C., and posthumously, Jean McAnsh.There are three mother-daughter connections in this group. Tara Keating is Jans daughter; Gina Rubin is Janis Eagleshams daughter; and Jean Chose is the daughter of the late Jean McAnsh, whose award-winning work is part of the City of Weyburns Permanent Art Collection.Also, there are two sisters in the group, Beatrice Bell and Doris Wilson, and they are aunts of artist Diane York. In addition, three of the women live in Maple Ridge, and only became aware of this fact through the development of this show.This unique art show promises a rich variety of art for everyones enjoyment. For an online viewing of works by professional artists Janis Eaglesham or Gina Rubin, go to http://stavefallsartistgroup.com/ or www.pacificgallery.ca/contactus.htm. To view works by Jean Chose, go to www.jeanchose.com.The artists look forward to presenting their work in Weyburn at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery. This is a great opportunity to see paintings by artists who take great pride in celebrating their artistic roots in Weyburn.