An innovative art exhibition ran alongside the Wild Blueberry Festival in St. Walburg Aug. 28.
The exhibition, housed in the old CN Railway Station, featured the work of North Battleford area artists involved in the Creative Partnership Project, which is a two-year mentorship program.
Terry Billings is currently the artist-in-residence at the Chapel Gallery in North Battleford. As the artist-in-residence, Terry is mentoring eight regional artists in the program, the first of its kind in the province.
"The goal of the program is to enhance the practice, both career-wise and studio-wise, of these artists," says Terry. "The underlying idea is that they will pay it forward."
One of the long-term goals of the program is a thriving arts community. The program, now entering its second year, has been supported by several organizations, including the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the City of North Battleford and Chapel Gallery.
Oriol Dancer, one of the artists participating in the program, says the program has already benefited her.
"It's been really nice for bonding with other artists and the community," she says.
The exhibition in St. Walburg included work from all the artists involved in the mentorship program. Work on display ranged from ceramics to mixed media to textile displays. Dancer also had an altered book on display, titled Nature Digests Science. Dancer explained that the piece, originally a science textbook, was part of a series of altered books.
The Creative Partnership Project has a studio at North Battleford's City Hall. They hold open houses about every three months, which the public is welcome to attend.
For more information on the program, visit www.chapelgallery.ca and click on "Artist in Residence."
