Find Yourself in Art, Northern Galleries
Northern Saskatchewan encapsulates a truly massive area of land that includes parts in Treaties 5, 6, 8, and 10. It’s known for its awe-inspiring beauty found in ecosystems as disparate as the thick boreal forest, desert-like sand dunes, and glittering clear lakes. The North may have a sparse population, but they fiercely support their incredible art galleries.
The first stop on our road trip is in Waskesiu Lake where Brent Hamel is entering his fourth season as the owner of the Black Spruce Gallery. Located in the heart of the Prince Albert National Park, it’s easy to see where the inspiration for the name came from. Due to the seasonal nature of national parks, the gallery is open daily mid-May to early September before moving online for the off season.
Brent looks forward to the new season as by April the artists begin to provide them with magnificent works of art.
“It’s like Christmas!” Brent laughs. “The artists surprise us and beautiful art begins to arrive.” He estimates 65 percent of the artists are from Saskatchewan and everything they feature is a piece of original fine art and fine craft.
The season wraps up with a showing at Art Now, put on by SaskGalleries. “SaskGalleries has been so great to work with and is so worth it to be a member.”
The North is a good market for Black Spruce Gallery and they work hard to promote their artists. They take part in many collaborations and partnerships to populate the walls with the Delta Bessborough, Elk Ridge Resort and Pietros in Waskesiu. “I never thought it would turn into this. The influx of e-commerce and social media has changed the business.”
Black Spruce Gallery is open May to September in Waskesiu from 11am to 9 pm, or you can arrange an appointment in the off-season, and is open online year-round.
The next stop on our road trip is at 1101 Central Avenue on Treaty 6 lands in Prince Albert. On the Avenue Artisan's Gallery is a space for local Prince Albert and area artists and artisans to showcase their talent.
Owned and operated by the Lac La Ronge Band, the gallery boasts a diverse collection of more than 45 local and northern artists within various mediums. Their artists include painters, potters, carvers, wood turners, sculptors, and artists that do metal art, birch bark biting, caribou tufting, and beading.
Customers say that it is “The best place for truly wonderful handmade art and crafts in PA! No place better to buy meaningful gifts,” and “Local artists of handmade products. Beautiful selection and a very welcoming atmosphere. Something for everyone.”
Within the gallery there is space for artists or local art groups to hold monthly shows and offer classes in traditional art mediums, such as beading and tufting and more. Artists can rent display space, choose works to showcase and set their own prices. The gallery also includes a full-service framing shop.
On The Avenue is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and on Sunday from 12 to 4pm.
As we continue on our road trip, we arrive in the small town of Meacham where artist June Jacobs opened The Hand Wave Gallery in 1982 and has been operating it for the past 41 years. What is the key to her longevity? “The artists are good,” she says simply. “They are known for that and I have faithful patrons. You can’t beat the word-of-mouth advertising between like-minded people.”
“It started because I couldn’t find anything handmade and Canadian anywhere.” So she made her own. June moved the gallery to Meacham in 1986 where it remains to this day by appointment only.
They also have an extensive presence online, however, “you have to come handle and touch handmade items. Each piece has its own character. That’s part of the experience you can miss out on with online sales.” The art in the gallery can range from $10 to $20,000, so finding something is never a problem.
Meacham’s population is less than 100 people but hosts a theatre company and several artists' studios, including her own as a textile artist. Meacham is a short drive from Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Watrous and Humboldt, and relies on people to take a trip to investigate. “It really cuts down on the tire-kickers,” she laughs. “You know they are committed when they take the drive. When people visit, they are astonished by who I am representing.”
Not only is Hand Wave a member of SaskGalleries, June was also one of SaskGalleries’ founding members and held the position of president for several terms.
The Hand Wave Gallery is open by appointment Friday to Monday year-round.
Leaving Meacham, we make our way to the last gallery stop on the South shore of Little Manitou Lake in the Resort Village of Manitou Beach. Little Manitou Art Gallery is a welcoming, creative hub owned and operated by Sarah McKen.
Sarah opened the gallery in 2013 when she began displaying her and her partner’s art. When business expanded and they couldn’t keep up, they started featuring their friends’ art, which eventually became their friends of friends. Now they boast 250 artists, all with a Saskatchewan connection. “We are absolutely inclusive and feature artists that are just getting started as well as professionals,” Sarah says. “Emerging artists have insights that absolutely inspire established artists.”
The space is extremely unique with a perennial spiral garden with a path leading to pavilion galleries along the way, full of pieces spanning painting, pottery, jewelry and garden art. Throughout the summer, you are greeted by a variety of guest artists in pop-up venues around the yard; musicians and performing artists share from the outdoor stage; and children are always invited to run and play “count the artwork in the garden” before they choose a free gift from the old treasure box. “We want to make viewing art a fun and inclusive experience and show the full spectrum of creativity.”
Manitou Lake is so important to the gallery. “Manitou is a bit of a health centre, with the mineral spa. And for people that make health a priority, art is integral to mental health.”
Have fun exploring this unique property, take in live music performances, join hands-on ARTivities and sit down for a Saskatchewan-brewed beer or glass of wine.
The Little Manitou Art Gallery is open Friday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.