For the month of April, all three of Weyburn's art galleries are featuring the works of local artists.
"It doesn't happen very often," said City Curator Ron Ror. "The board went along with me that we would devote April to 'support your local artist' month. It was working out that way anyway."
One of the three exhibits is the current Art Reach exhibition, which are of entries for the Local Art Adjudication, will include a unique gala event to celebrate the selected artists of the present and past.
The Art Reach exhibit is on view at the Signal Hill Art Gallery in the second floor gallery and studio, showcasing the works of Jennifer Mang, Heather van der Breggen, Rickee-Lee Webster, Shelley Van De Sype, Jaynie Himsl, Trey Lansdell, Donn Morton, Lois Olson, Katie Lumb, Bev Sobush-Melby and Terry Creurer.
The adjudication of all submissions, including some that are still coming in to the gallery, will take place on the afternoon of April 26.
"The adjudication is a nice opportunity for the local artists," said Weyburn Arts Council president Heather van der Breggen, "just because they are able to have that kind of feedback from a professional and that is a critical part of it."
Van der Breggen noted that being critiqued by a professional art adjudicator helps local artists earn opportunities to be recognized as being ready to move forward with OSAC (Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils). This could result in the chosen artists having their works exhibited throughout Saskatchewan.
The Art Reach Reception will include a presentation for the 2013 Local Art Adjudication at 7:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend the champagne reception celebrating local artists at the Signal Hill Gallery, which is located at 424 Tenth Avenue southeast.
The champagne reception will be followed by an 'after party' beginning at around 8:00 p.m. at the Allie Griffin Art Gallery, which is located on the lower level of the Weyburn Public Library at 45 Bison Avenue, west entrance. Special coffees, teas and sweets will be served as the artists chosen from the 2011 and 2012 Local Adjudication will be celebrated.
"Our local artists whose works are in the Allie Griffin right now have already been recognized by a professional artist critiquing their work," said van der Breggen.
The exhibit at the Allie Griffin Gallery is entitled, 'Group of SevenLess Two' and features the artworks of five local artists who were winners in the 2011 and 2012 Local Art Adjudications - Gary Cooney, Max Himsl, Tina Hudson, Donn Morton and Erin Sidloski.
The adjudicator for 2013 is Ward Schell, who will be presenting an all day workshop on April 27, called 'Painting Like an Impressionist'.
Always a local scene, the Weyburn Credit Union Art Gallery is currently featuring 'Nature in Glass', an exhibition of stained glass by 2012 James Weir Peoples' Choice Winner, Colette Horack.
Each of these exhibits will remain available for viewing until the end of April.
Local artists have a number of opportunities to submit their art throughout the year, to the annual Adjudication series, the Credit Union Gallery as per application, and of course, to the James Weir Peoples' Choice, which takes place in January of each year.
According to Ron Ror, the community's response to local artists is surprisingly good.
"I'm talking to more and more artists who are selling stuff, which is good," said Ron Ror. "That's what it's about - trying to make a living at it. Some of them are actually doing it, which is wonderful."
