The Estevan Arts Council (EAC) had an active year in 2016-17, thanks to the activities that were offered through its different committees.
The organization held its annual general meeting on Oct. 4. President Wilma Mantei said the EAC held six concerts through Stars for Saskatchewan, two concerts for Koncerts for Kids, and brought nine films to the Orpheum Theatre through the Energy City Film Circuit.
The arts council also held numerous arts classes, with many of them pottery classes.
“They’re a really big hit because we have a pottery club in Estevan,” said Mantei.
The arts council also held arts camps in February during the winter break, handed out scholarships to local youth to attend summer arts camps, and hosted the Ev Johnson Memorial Adjudicated Art Show last November.
“We’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing, which is bringing the arts to our community,” said Mantei. “I would hope, always, for more subscribers for our concerts and more people going to them.”
But it has been a struggle to attract people to those concerts. They still have the faithful patrons who have been attending for many years. Some new people are coming, but not at the same rate as what the EAC used to attract.
“We can’t do any of those things without the support of our community,” said Mantei. “And we do have a good community for that.”
Mantei was pleased with the acts the arts council brought in last year. Hotel California, which is a Beatles tribute act, was their top attended show through Stars for Saskatchewan, with more than 460 people in attendance, many of them young people.
Another highlight was a March concert by former Estevan resident Chad Armstrong, who is an internationally-renowned baritone. A piano duet also provided a chance for local youth to showcase their abilities.
As for Koncerts for Kids, the Missoula Children’s Theatre made its stop in Estevan, and it was once again a big draw, because it gives dozens of local youths a chance to perform on stage before family and friends.
Mantei said it has been a challenge trying to find someone to organize Koncerts for Kids, and so they have had fewer shows.
She also praised the visual arts committee for doing a good job of offering classes to further people’s artistic skills.
Financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2017, showed the arts council had a year-end net income of $5,875. The organization had $120,115 in revenue, with grants ($69,263) and sales ($44,972) accounting for the bulk of the revenues.
Expenses were at $114,240, with performers ($38,579) and wages ($35,458) the largest costs.
The arts council elected its new executive during the meeting as well. Mantei said she wanted someone else to step forward, but nobody wanted the job, so she will remain as president.
Adam Nordquist will be the secretary. Melina Granberg, Esther Bangsun, Linda Murphy, Victoria Utman, Mark Veneziano and Allison Holzer have one year remaining on their two-year terms, while Angel Madu, Maria Ibarra, Nancy Samoluk, Allison Dinsmore and Allison Beahm were elected to two-year terms.
Stewart Miller, Debbie Augey, Linda Jones and Lydia Wanner competed terms and did not stand for re-election.
The EAC is still looking for a vice-president and a treasurer.
