Scottsdale, AZ Part 2 – ArtWalk

Submitted by: Stephanie Canning, Exhibitions and Education Coordinator

Every Thursday night, for the past 30 years, the Scottsdale Arts District holds an ArtWalk from 7 – 9 pm. The many galleries in the Arts District open their doors to the public and free trolleys and horse drawn carriages are available to transport people throughout the District.

The trees outside the gallery along Main Street are lit up with twinkle lights

ArtWalk logos are on the sidewalk throughout the Arts District

The Saskatchewan Art Show and Gallery held its opening reception during the March 12 ArtWalk. The response of the exhibition from the public during the opening reception was overwhelmingly positive. 

Lots of people enjoying the reception early in the evening

Over 200 were in attendance throughout the evening. Refreshments were provided from Arcadia Farms, a charming local and organic market and bakery located in Old Town Scottsdale.  Regina’s own Belle Plaine serenaded the crowd, and drew people into the gallery with her beautiful music. 

Belle Plaine performing a lovely solo set

 Visitors to the gallery were very enthusiastic; I overheard comments such as "That was the best reception I have ever been to" to "That was the best brownie I've ever had!" One patron in particular commented that she has been attending ArtWalks and visiting the galleries in the Arts District for many years and the work in the Saskatchewan Gallery was the freshest work that she has seen in a long time. Many people commented as well that they wished the gallery would be there for longer than the 3 weeks.  Many locals, tourists, happy Canadians, and Saskatchewan expats visited the gallery that evening. Saskatchewan art and music, and local food were enjoyed and praised by all who attended.

June Jacobs speaking with some gallery visitors about Paul Laponite’s hand carved Buffalo

Gallery visitors enjoying the wine and refreshments

Check out more of Belle Plaine music 

For more photos of the work in the Saskatchewan Gallery visit Saskatchewan Art – SPAGA’s Facebook page.

Scottsdale, AZ Part 1 – Arts District

Submitted by: Stephanie Canning, Exhibitions and Education Coordinator

Recently, I had the good fortune of representing the Saskatchewan Craft Council at SaskArt’s Saskatchewan Pop-up gallery in Scottsdale, AZ. Before my trip, I did not know what an incredible centre for the arts Scottsdale, AZ is. The Arts District in downtown Scottsdale is a vibrant, and exciting place, with over 100 galleries within a few block radius. The Saskatchewan Art Show and Gallery is in the perfect location along Main Street, in the heart of the arts district. The galleries in the Arts District offer a variety of work, from figurative oil paintings and regional landscapes and cast bronze sculptures, to contemporary paintings and sculpture, and aboriginal artwork and artifacts.  The work in the Saskatchewan Gallery not only held up to the quality of the high end traditional work that is offered in the Arts District, but stylistically it also stood apart and above the other work. The art work in the Saskatchewan Gallery was expertly curated; it really demonstrated the diversity of the work being produced in Saskatchewan. Paintings, prints, fine craft, fibre, and sculpture from emerging, mid-career and established artists are featured in the Saskatchewan Gallery.  Scottsdale is haven for artists, collectors and art patrons, a true artistic destination.

For more photos of the work in the Saskatchewan Gallery visit Saskatchewan Art – SPAGA’s Facebook page

A light post on Main Street in the Arts District

A view of the Saskatchewan Gallery from across the street

The front of the Saskatchewan Gallery

The pull up banner in front of the Saskatchewan Gallery advertising many of the artists whose work is on display

Saskatchewan in Scottsdale

Saskatchewan comes to Scottsdale, Arizona this week, in the form of an art show and gallery. From March 10th-27th, the group exhibition Saskatchewan will be on display. 

The Saskatchewan Craft Council has had the opportunity to join in on this venture, headed up by SaskArt, alongside numerous Saskatchewan galleries; Art Placement, Assiniboia Gallery, Collector's Choice Gallery, Hand Wave Gallery, Mysteria Gallery, Rouge Gallery and Stall Gallery.

Stonehouse Bench by Michael Hosaluk, one of the artists represented in Scottsdale.
Photo by Vivian Orr

As stated in a press release by Art Placement, "The goal of the project is to increase the exposure of Saskatchewan's artists and craftspeople beyond the borders of our province. Scottsdale has a significant number of Canadian vacationers and retirees as well as a vibrant commercial gallery scene and a reputation for strongly supporting the arts."
Read the full piece here

The SCC is very excited to be part of this project - a great to chance to introduce work of Saskatchewan artists to the fine folks in Scottsdale!