Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!
SAC Season’s First Fundraiser a Resounding Success Each fall the Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) opens the doors of the Centre for a Corks ‘N Canvas Wine Tasting Fundraiser, a popular event which presents wine representatives who present their wines for sampling and the art of wine tasting. It also features local artists painting live in each studio with their works available for silent auction, musicians entertaining in the hallway, and delicious hot and cold appetizers being served to all guests. This year, COVID-19 restricted larger gatherings of people, and that included groups of wine lovers, but it encouraged SAC to be innovative to reach these wine enthusiasts in a different forum. SAC orchestrated miniature wine tasting events in individual homes to keep the community safe. We had 15 generous hosts within the community graciously open their homes to their ‘Covid bubbles’ of invited friends and family members to enjoy a variety of wines supplied by various wineries, delicious appetizers donated by Country Meat Deli, and original artworks displayed by local artists. The fundraiser exceeded the expectations of SAC. The ticket sale revenue doubled from the previous year. Then that total was doubled with additional donations from the guests. The Corks ‘N Canvas fundraiser raised over $10,000 for SAC. “It was heartwarming to experience the generous nature and positive energy of our hosts, sponsors, artists, and guests,” Cindi Rempel Patrick, Director of Development exclaimed. “Bravo to everyone involved, regardless of this pandemic, our community came together to support the Arts Community once again, and it was definitely win-win for all!” For the Steinbach Arts Council, there is no time more significant than now to find ways to generate funds, so that the Centre can remain open and viable. The revenue will help make up the shortfall from the cancellation of the annual spring Gala and the community musical production. SAC plans to repeat this fundraising event in the winter and spring. For more information contact the Arts Council or if you are interested in being a host for a future Corks ‘N Canvas event.
We had 15 generous hosts within the community graciously open their homes to their ‘Covid bubbles’ of invited friends and family members to enjoy a variety of wines supplied by various wineries (right top), delicious appetizers donated by Country Meat Deli (right bottom), and original artworks displayed by local artists (top).
October 2020
19
Local Artists Take Part in an Online Juried Show
Despite the global pandemic, the online world will have the opportunity to take in the best contemporary visual art from across Manitoba this September. This year’s Manitoba Rural Northern Juried Art Show will feature 56 artists including three local artists. Manitoba Rural and Northern Juried Art Show highlight the work of artists across the province and this year’s exhibition will replace Manitoba Art Network’s cancelled Manitoba Showcase 2020. The show stems from the desire to bring artists and their art together across geographic and cultural boundaries. Artworks cover a diverse range of media, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media and textiles. With this year’s show online, local residents have an opportunity to view the work of three local artists including Candace Lipischak who is a multidisciplinary Franco-Métis artist from the Otterburne area. Self-taught, her work refrains from any categorized explanation. By painting and incorporating many mediums such as antler, recycled tin and miscellaneous parts, Lipischak has found a way of telling a different story regarding environmental and social issues, consumerism, the land, truth and reconciliation, and nature’s powerful force. “Being of Métis heritage, I wanted to commemorate Louis Riel, the father of Manitoba. The depiction of the floral beadwork on tanned deer hide is a replica of his buckskin jacket which is now on display at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Québec,” explained Lipischak. Other local artists participating in the show include Rosemarie Peloquin from St. Pierre-Jolys, George Klassen from Steinbach, and Linda McCallum from Ile des Chenes. Audiences already have access to view the artwork online and purchase works 24/7 with an entirely new and innovative program to Manitoba Artwork’s 2020 programming that will reach a larger audience. Until October 20 the public can vote for artworks in the exhibition. A Zoom launch party will be held on October 22. Manitoba Arts Network will announce the voter’s choice awards based on how many votes were received via public voting through the site. To see these artists’ work along with the many other amazing entries visit artgallery.manitobaartsnetwork.ca.
This piece by Candace Lipischak along with other artists is available for purchase as part of this year’s online version of the Manitoba Rural and Northern Juried Art Show. Submitted photo