The art of Yorkton is on display at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery. Every year, the gallery hosts Landscape and Memory, a showcase of local artists which puts local talent on display.
There are 24 artists on display, with over 100 pieces. Don Stein, executive director, says this year not only is there a large variety of pieces, but that it's also a show with many young and emerging artists. He notes that many of the people in the show have never been involved before, with many of them being young.
"This year the work is really strong. People are bringing five really strong pieces, so when you go into the galleries it's quite impressive," he says.
The show is important to keep a local art scene thriving and have local artists develop, Stein explains, because it gives them an audience to see and experience their work.
"It's the end of the arc of intention. When you set out to make a painting, it's really finished when you show it to somebody and they give you a response. You don't make art to keep it in your studio, the intention is to have some kind of audience. This is for many people the first time they have that opportunity to show that work and listen to people's comments."
The artists involved also had their work critiqued before the show began, Stein says, and the comments are something which allows them to grow and develop their work.
One of those artists is Curtis Sarafincian, who only recently began painting, and is showing his work in that medium for the first time.
"I've always wanted to explore painting. My background is in fashion design, clothing and sewing, and I just started experimenting with painting when I got home," Sarafincian says.
The opportunity to show is a rare one, especially for someone who is new to the medium like Sarafincian is. He says that it normally takes years to be able to show in the gallery, and to be able to show is something he's proud to participate in.
"It's a whole different feeling when you make something at home, and it's sitting there and you look at it by yourself, versus showing it and letting other people see what you've done. It's kind of like opening up your diary sometimes and showing them a personal side of yourself."
He says that the level of talent in the city is amazing, and he says that the level of work on display is something people of the city can be proud of.
Also on display are photos taken at Operation Burrowing Owl, where students from the YRHS photography course participated in a conservation program with Nature Saskatchewan. The project is intended to shed more light on what Nature Saskatchewan is doing for wildlife in the province, and he says the plan is to do more work with them in the future.
"It was a great adventure for them. You don't see the ranch, you don't see what happens out there. Just walking and seeing native prairie and interacting with all the wildlife. Everybody wants to save the planet, but the researchers are actually doing it, one species at a time. It's very tedious work, but the kids were inspired," Stein adds.
He says that the kids are developing as artists, but that young people are inspiring to him, and he believes that the future is in good hands.
"Kids today are inspiring me. They're full of energy, creativity and talent, and they're not afraid to go out in the world and interact with it," Stein says.
The show runs until June 29. Admission is free.
