Yorkton has a wide variety of artists, all doing different things and exploring different directions. The Godfrey Dean Art Gallery's current exhibition, Landscape and Memory, is proof of that, bringing together 25 local artists to show off their unique perspectives.
Donald Stein, gallery director, says a local show is something that most galleries do, as it showcases something which is unique to each area.
"It's your unique resource. Other galleries don't have this resource or the ability to mount a show of Yorkton art," Stein says.
The exhibition showcases the breadth and depth of the talent in the area, Stein notes. The art takes a wide variety of forms, from backlit photos which have sold for thousands, to a nine-year old girl who is just starting out. Works include prints, paintings, and jewelry, encompassing a wide variety of styles and perspectives.
"There's a tremendous diversity of talent here, and you can really see that in the show," Stein notes.
One of the exciting things about the show is seeing new artists who have not been a part of the local scene before, Stein suggests.
"There's a nice combination people who have been here for a long time and are committed artists, and fresh, new, exciting energy," Stein says.
This year's event also features a retrospective on the old mill and the attached elevator. Stein says it's about documenting the history of the city, and keeping the evidence before it disappears.
"I have been encouraging people to documenting our history before it disappears. When the elevator went down, it was an opportunity to say don't let that happen without people noticing," Stein says.
The show brought together a large number of people from the area, filling the gallery on the opening day. Stein says that part of the success is that it's work people care about, with local artists bringing their friends and family and connecting to other artists in the area.
"We've got artists from 9 to 84 years of age, and it shows that art is just a vital part of people's lives, and they're all here and talking to each other," Stein concludes.
