Entries by Angelica San Juan

Wanda Slawik and the Late Willi Richardson to Exhibit Their Work at the Hall Gallery

February 23, 2024 in /by

The exhibit opening for Wanda Slawik’s “Manitoba – My Love” and the Late Willi Richardson’s “Off the Wall – A Tribute Exhibit in Memory of Willi Richardson” is set to open for viewing on Friday, March 1, 2024. Wanda Slawik’s “Manitoba – My Love” promises to transport viewers to the heart of Manitoba through a series of evocative pieces that capture the essence and beauty of Manitoba. Slawik’s artist statement offer further insight into her inspiration and love of art. “We are living in a world where speed and instant communication shape our way of relating to each other. This leads to the dangers of alienation, conflict, and human suffering. My mission is to bring you the beauty inherent in the moment; to open your eyes to the brilliant and diverse reality of our lives. Through my art, I connect with the rich visual and spiritual mosaic that is in Manitoba.” The late Willi Richardson’s “Off the Wall – A Tribute Exhibit in Memory of Willi Richardson” will be showcased alongside Slawik in a touching tribute to Richardson’s enduring love for the arts. This exhibit serves as a poignant homage to Richardson’s legacy, showcasing different works from her collection that will forever continue to inspire and move audiences. Richardson’s previously exhibited “Manitoba Treasure” at The Steinbach Arts Council Hall Gallery in 2022. In an interview published by the Carillon, Willi said “I have a very different way of looking at things,” she said. “Art is not just something to do…it’s a passion and a gift…I don’t want to be one of those people that’s known only because people say, ‘oh, she does great work.’ I really do firmly believe that the only way to make a difference is to be that difference.” “It is a true privilege to collaborate with Wanda and Willi’s daughter Candis Richardson. This upcoming exhibit holds a unique significance that resonates deeply with me. I have affectionately coined this showcase ‘Heart on a Sleeve’ as it beautifully encapsulates the heartfelt connection both artists are generously sharing with us.” says Camila Funes-Giesbrecht, Assistant Arts Instructor Coordinator at SAC. “This exhibition not only honors the artistic brilliance of both Slawik and Richardson but also serves as a testament to the enduring power of art to connect, inspire, and transcend. Join us in celebrating these two remarkable artists and their profound impact on the arts community”. The exhibit opening will take place at The Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre, located at 304 Second Street, from 7:00pm-9:00pm with opening remarks commencing at 7:30pm. A huge thank-you to our Hall Gallery Sponsor, Good N’ Natural. We could not do this without you! Our sponsors help us provide our community with new and diverse art for the public to enjoy, provide a new platform for local and guest artists to show and sell their works and provide emerging artists with an opportunity to experience and learn how to prepare for, facilitate and exhibit.  Contact: Camila Funes-Giesbrecht, Assistant Arts Instructor Coordinator Email: camila@steinbacharts.ca

Annual Southeast Open Judged Exhibit (SOJE 2024) – Application and Public Viewing Dates

February 23, 2024 in /by

The Steinbach Arts Council is thrilled to announce the opening of the Southeast Open Judged Exhibit for artist applications! This is an amazing opportunity for all adult and youth artists residing in the Southeast region to showcase their talents and creativity. The open call for submissions runs from March 1st, 2024, to April 19th, 2024, so make sure to mark your calendars and submit your applications before the deadline. With a wide variety of mediums accepted, including oil, acrylic, watercolor painting, charcoal, ink, pastels, colored pencil, printmaking, mixed media, digital art, photography, pottery, sculpture, crafts, and fiber arts, there is something for every artist to showcase. We encourage all artists to submit their work, regardless of their skill level. SOJE also offers competitive and non-competitive categories for all artists. Camila Funes-Giesbrecht, Assistant Arts Instructor Coordinator, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating that “The Steinbach Arts Council loves to bring local artists together of all skill levels, SOJE is a great opportunity for all artists in the Southeast region to come together. We can’t wait to see the variety of mediums and talent that will be showcased this year.” Please note that due to the limited space in our gallery, artists may only enter one artwork per person. A registration fee of $10 is applicable to adults, and there is no fee for ages 17 and under. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to showcase your art to the community – apply today by visiting steinbacharts.ca/exhibits SOJE will be available for public view from May 1st, 2024, until May 31st, 2024, during Steinbach Arts Council office hours. We extend our deepest gratitude to our generous sponsor, Good N Natural, for their continued support towards our Exhibit Hall Gallery. Your sponsorship has been essential in ensuring that we continue to provide a platform for artists to showcase their work to the community. ## Contact: Camila Funes-Giesbrecht, Assistant Arts Instructor Coordinator Email: camila@steinbacharts.ca

Steinbach Arts Council Celebrates Culture & Heritage with Multi-Generational and Wellness Workshops 

February 16, 2024 in /by

The Steinbach Arts Council is proud to present a series of workshops that celebrate the rich diversity of culture and heritage in our community. Thank you to The Chrysalis Fund for providing support to the Culture & Heritage Pilot Project Workshops and to The Million Dollar Table for contributing to our Wellness Pilot Project Workshops. Our cultural and wellness workshops are designed to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together to learn, create, and connect.  The Cultural, multi-generational workshops will feature a variety of activities, including creating Mennonite Floor Patterns and Place Mats with Margruite Krahn, creating Ukrainian Culinary dishes with Cassandra Kornelsen, learning Metis Jigging with Janessa Roy, creating Metis Finger Weaving with Brett Mcpherson, and creating Metis Borealis Beading with Melanie Gamache. These workshops are a great opportunity to learn new skills and techniques, while also exploring the unique cultural traditions that make our community so special.  Aside from the cultural workshops, the Steinbach Arts Council is presenting a series of Wellness Workshops. These workshops will feature a low-impact fitness class, a culinary session with Cassandra Kornelsen for creating healthy treats, and a soap and bath bomb crafting session with Patricia Mcpherson using essential oils. The aim of these workshops is to promote physical and mental well-being while offering an enjoyable and engaging learning experience.  “The work we do is important.” Our city is home to one of the largest Arts Centres in western Canada, and we believe that we can improve quality of life for residents in and around our city with our programming, especially when there is so much evidence that arts and culture are directly related to the well-being of society.” Says David Klassen, Executive Director of the Steinbach Arts Council. “By investing in personal wellness, we’re investing in a healthy community.  By offering cultural learning opportunities, we believe we can strengthen friendships and relationships. By passing down cultural traditions, we believe that we can strengthen ties between generations.”  Thank you to the Chrysalis Fund and Million Dollar Table, for your generosity and dedication to the arts. Their support has made a lasting impact on our community, and we look forward to continuing to work together to promote and celebrate the arts.  For more information, or to register for a workshop, please visit the Steinbach Arts Council website or call (204) 346-1077.  ##  For interviews: Cassandra Kornelsen, Manager of Community Programs cassandra@steinbacharts.ca