We asked and they answered. Black Spruce Gallery.
Get to know your local gallery.
We caught up with Black Spruce Gallery in the beautiful resort town of Waskesiu Lake, in Prince Albert National Park.
The building that houses Black Spruce Gallery is known by many as ‘the gallery building’, since it operated as a gallery of sorts for over 30 years. Built in the early 1930’s, the 1,400 square foot building is one of the oldest buildings in Waskesiu and boasts the rustic Tudor charm of the national park community. It is a fitting home for a contemporary gallery that honours the boreal forest setting and Saskatchewan artists.
We asked owner and gallerist, Brent Hamel to tell us more.
SG: Why did you purchase your gallery?
BH: The Black Spruce Gallery was previously in operation for nearly a decade in the Christopher Lake area, under Saskatchewan-based artist, Cheryl Tuck Tallon. Serendipitously, we found ourselves discussing next adventures in the Fall of 2018. The new Back Spruce Gallery was opened in May 2019 and while the name of the gallery remains, Cheryl is no longer involved in ownership or management but has provided mentorship to us in many aspects.
SG: What is your favourite piece in your gallery?
BH: The two-meter ‘Great Blue Heron’ sculpture by Saskatchewan artist James Korpan located outside the gallery space certainly captures our look-and-feel of the space.
SG: What did you do before you were a gallerist?
BH: I am lucky to have lived and traveled the world. With over 25-years of experience in developing business solutions for Canadian and International clientele, it is fulfilling to work with so many talented artists and makers with whom are considered partners in this opportunity.
SG: Why did you name your gallery Black Spruce Gallery?
BH: Given our environment and location, it was fitting to retain the Black Spruce Gallery name from artist Cheryl Tuck Tallon, who operated the gallery previously in Christopher Lake.
SG: Why should someone come to your gallery?
BH: Prince Albert National Park welcomes approximately 250,000 visitors annually and is only 232 kilometers north of Saskatoon, along Highway #2 (approximately 2.5 hours by car). An inspiration for many artists and visitors alike, the wilderness of central Saskatchewan – grasslands, boreal forests, rolling aspen parkland and pure lakes – meets accessibility in this 3,875-square-kilometre protected landscape.
The resort town of Waskesiu Lake, located in the national park, serves as a convenient hub, offering visitors easy access to long, sandy beaches, swimming, boating, camping and other activities, plus a wide range of dining, accommodation and shopping options. This pedestrian friendly setting offers cultural and artistic enterprises, boasting a ‘shopping’ culture, which support and complement the Black Spruce Gallery operations.
Just as the park is a meeting place between the aspen parkland and the boreal forest, Waskesiu is a meeting place where people have gathered for generations. Most residents and visitors come to enjoy time with family and friends, celebrate reunions and weddings, and enjoy the many amenities offered in Waskesiu. With numerous retail outlets, many come to Waskesiu to shop.
The Black Spruce Gallery represents over 50 established and emerging Saskatchewan and Canadian artists and craftspeople. A large range of crafts and art media is available from functional pottery to sculpture and porcelain crystalline, glass, wood carving and turning, handmade jewelry, paintings in acrylic, oil, encaustic and watercolour, and textile.
The Gallery is open from May-long weekend until October and holds events throughout the summer season providing visitors with the opportunity to meet artists at the gallery, increase their understanding of the artistic process, and develop a connection to the art. In addition, artists create works en plein air outside the gallery and in the park setting.
Learn more about Black Spruce gallery on their website, Facebook, Instagram, or better yet visit them at 912 Waskesiu Drive in Waskesiu Lake.
Check out their current Art Now Online exhibition here.
Inside Black Spruce Gallery
“The resort town of Waskesiu Lake. . .offers cultural and artistic enterprises, boasting a ‘shopping’ culture, which support and complement the Black Spruce Gallery operations. ”
‘Great Blue Heron’ Sculpture by James Korpan silhouetted on the right
‘The Gallery’ building which houses Black Spruce Gallery