A new book is now available that celebrates the early history of the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC), and the contributions of Estevan to OSAC’s beginnings.
“Where it All Began: the Story of the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils 1968-1987” was written by Lynn Gidluck, and was released in March. It can be purchased at the Estevan Arts Council’s office.
Melanie Memory, the administrative secretary for the Estevan Arts Council, is pleased to see a book that pays tribute to Estevan’s impact.
“It is pretty local to us, because Estevan was one of the first arts councils established in our province,” said Memory.
The book focuses on the years from 1974 to 1987.
In an interview with Lifestyles last summer, Gidluck noted that individual arts councils were set up across the province, and were largely independent, until 1968, when OSAC was established to bring unity.
In 1974, OSAC recruited Gallaway to be the executive director, thanks to the work she was doing locally to support concerts and the arts. From 1974 to 1987, Gallaway was OSAC’s executive director, and OSAC’s head office was in Estevan.
She helped bring artists of international acclaim to Saskatchewan for tours.
During her tenure, OSAC grew from a small number of arts councils to 62.
Where it All Began also looks back on some of the different acts who have played in this province through the Stars for Saskatchewan series, such as John Allan Cameron and Jon Vickers. Gallaway got to know many of them, and some even stayed at her home when they performed in Saskatchewan.
The book also has photos of people involved with OSAC, and newspaper clippings to chronicle the growth of the organization.
Memory said she learned a lot about OSAC’s history from Where it All Began.
“Our mandate is promoting arts and culture in our community, so reading this was really enlightening for me,” said Memory. “It gave me a good picture of what we do and what we’re trying to do in the community, and all the years that we’ve been doing it.”
It’s a relatively concise book, but it’s rich with information, she said.
Memory said the books arrived in mid-March. They have sold a few copies in the office, and at the Derina Harvey Band concert last week.
“It’s a good depiction of how our arts councils were formed in our province, and it really tells our story, and it goes back and chronicles some of the different talents that we have in our country and our province. It’s a really good picture of everything that has happened in our community about the arts and culture picture of what we have in the province.”
