ASSINIBOIA - The Shurniak Gallery, located in the heart of the golden south in the community of Assiniboia, continues to attract attention for all it has to offer.
Spring and summer will bring a full slate of events and activities for residents, guests and visitors to explore and experience.
Crystal Thorburn explained, “starting June 1, the Shurniak Gallery will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., providing ample opportunity to experience all the Gallery has to offer.
A special event is upcoming June 23, held to promote awareness as well as a fundraiser for the Shurniak Gallery. Titled the ‘Garden Party Fundraiser”, guests will feature award-winning musician Jeffrey Straker. The event will also include games, raffles, penny parade, new art exhibitions, plant exchanges and wraps up with a beef on a bun meal and raffle draws.
“Everyone attending will go home with a plant donated by the local greenhouses,” added Thorburn.
“The potential impact of this event is bringing in people who have not been to the Gallery or who are not aware of the ease to participate in art related initiatives. It is not only for artists or a select few. This event has been created to support funding stability for programming and operational events. We hope to attract people of all ages together creating community in an interactive way through the arts.”
The mission of Shurniak Gallery is to share and celebrate its collections, gallery and legacy. The venue builds an inclusive community through arts experiences that inform, stimulate and inspire.
On now until June 16 at the Gallery, is Gerry Rueker’s exhibition, UNdiscard-REForm. The work consists of synthesis of cast-off, discarded items (such as old pieces of found wood and building materials, rusted metals etc.) with highly contrasting ornate baroque-influenced picture frames, and other miscellaneous related materials.”
In addition to the permanent collection of Bill Shurniak’s artwork that is always on display, with changing themes, there is always something new to see. Upcoming exhibitions include: OSAC Touring Exhibition “Labours of Love, Under the Lamplight”, to be hosted June 1 – 23; an annual artist retreat exhibition – “True Colors”, will be held June 23 – July 22, and Bruce Anderson – “Colourblocks” exhibit, to be held July 23 to Oct. 23.
“Local collectors showcase their collections in our display case. These are on display and always changing as well. Currently there is a 19’ Button Charm and vintage sewing machine on display as well as dolls from Holland collection of Simon Omis,” said Thorburn.
Children and youth workshops will be held throughout the summer months, led by the Gallery’s summer student, funded through Young Canada Works. “We are partnering with the Assiniboia Arts council to host a summer Art Camp for youth in August as well.”
Shurniak Gallery has two and a half permanent staff and a full-time summer student.
Thorburn acknowledges their challenges are to engage people in the community and consistently bring people into the Gallery space. Funding is always a challenge for non-profit organizations so they are always looking to find creative and innovative ways to improve funding sources. Shurniak Gallery’s funding comes from many sources that include grants, Sask. Arts, Young Canada Works, Sask. Museums Association, Sask Lotteries community grant, Golden South Wind Community Benefit Fund, and ArtVest. Local fundraising events are successful with the help of local sponsorships and donations as well as those who attend and support them.
The always popular paint nights have been a big success for the Gallery with the last one held in March to a sold-out crowd.
Follow the Facebook page for Shurniak Gallery to stay up to date with activities, news and happenings, with Thorburn confirming that there is always something new to see.
