A collaborative event between the Weyburn Public Library and Weyburn Comprehensive School will be held on August 1 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The Weyburn Youth Art Show and Sale will showcase young talent in celebration of Weyburn's Centennial. Forty-five pieces will be highlighted, most of which will be available for sale directly from each of the 17 artists involved.
The art will go on display a day or two prior to the show, but whatever does not sell will remain on display throughout the Weyburn Public Library for about one week.
"We are going to put up some temporary easels throughout the building," said Librarian Kam Teo, noting that some pieces will actually be featured in the Allie Griffin Gallery, where currently on display is the 'Historic Weyburn' exhibit of the city's permanent collection.
"Of course, there will be some munchies and some refreshments that evening," he added. "It's going to be a bit of a soiree, but yet casual at the same time. The art work will consist of present Comp students as well as those who have graduated in recent years."
Art teacher Donna Klein noted the reasons she decided to include WCS alumni in the show.
"To be invited, you had to have been in the comp for three years in art with me," she said. "It was easy to pick somebody who went on and did more with art."
She noted that each of the artists considers the event to be a special opportunity to show their art.
Klein had asked the artists to provide some biographical information to go along with their art. She specifically asked them to answer the question, in about five or six lines, 'why do you do art?'
"The answers were just so great," she said. "These kids are all prolific writers as well."
Klein has also included a few Grade 11 students in the show due to their promising talent.
She expressed her excitement about each and every artist she has chosen.
"The work is amazing and it's for sale," she said. "It's affordable, original art."
The artists displaying works will be Vanessa Coffey, Meagan McLeod, Haley Stearns, Brogan Spence, Dion Sidloski, Kjel Sidloski, Erin Sidloski, Michaela Sidloski, Krista Klemmer, Colleen Broccolo, Jacob Windecker, Madison Kot, Johanna Nikkel, Deborah Nikkel, Mercedes Alexander, Michaela Klassen and Taylor Grams.
For recent graduate Michaela Sidloski, selling art creates an opportunity to produce more art.
"I'm always happy to make more and see if I can improve on things, so I won't miss them too much."
"Especially since we don't have room for it on our walls anymore," she added. "We don't have room in our house!" Michaela and her older sister Erin, both prolific artists, will be submitting some examples of their work for the Youth Art Show and Sale.
City librarian Teo acknowledged all of the work that has gone into the event.
"I would love to thank the Weyburn Comprehensive School and in particular the art teacher Donna Klein, for her efforts in making the Youth Art Show and Sale possible."
Klein credited Lynn Kot for the idea and noted that a team of volunteers has brought it to fruition.
The evening's event will be open to the public and will, of course, be free of charge.
"Additional information will be forthcoming," said Teo, "but please consider marking this evening on your calendar. It will be a great evening to celebrate the creativity of our community and support young artists' endeavours."
He also announced another event taking place earlier the same day.
"There will be a 'Come and Go' Library Alumni Reunion event the same afternoon, Thursday, August 1, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.," said Teo. "This is for Weyburn Public Library Alumni only. Former library employees, former board members, and present and former Friends of the Library are invited. So it'll be a great time for good conversation and reminiscing about the Weyburn Public Library family."
He noted that the date was chosen intentionally to be tied in with other Homecoming events.
"These wonderful events on August 1 at the library are all part and parcel of Weyburn's Centennial Homecoming Celebration."
