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WDM banner art pays tribute to Canada’s 150th birthday

Jul 31, 2017 | 1:41 PM

The Western Development Museum in North Battleford is receiving kudos from the community for its new Canada 150th anniversary banner art display.

The project is an ARC Creative Studios initiative and includes contributions from many other community groups and organizations as well. The exhibition features more than 150 banners celebrating Canadians and their heritage.

“It’s excellent,” said WDM-North Battleford manager Joyce Smith. “We’ve heard many good comments from locals and from visitors traveling through.”

Rosemarie Stadnyk is one of the artist members with ARC Creative Studios, based in North Battleford, who contributed to the project. Stadnyk also had the idea for the project and was instrumental in getting it started.

The banners in the show represent the contributors’ personal reflections of Canada and of being Canadian.

ARC Creative Studios artist members, as well as many more individuals and groups participated in the project.

“Initially, we started in the ARC Creative Studios with families, friends, and the members of the gallery,” said Stadnyk, adding the project soon grew from there.

Eventually, more groups began creating their own banners, including Concern for Youth, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and many local schools. A group of children who are home-schooled also took part. The Bonaventure Lions Club, and the Battlefords Art Club were among the many groups that participated in the project. The Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford also participated.

“It became a real community involvement,” said Stadnyk.

“A lot of individuals came to the studio with their families and their friends to create banners also,” said Stadnyk.  “People also visited from the surrounding area to also contribute.”

The show is now on display in the main foyer and hallway at the museum. It runs until September 1.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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