Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon
Artists & Presenters
In alphabetical order by last name
Coco Love Alcorn
Coco Love Alcorn
We’re thrilled to present the multi-talented Coco Love Alcorn as the Festival’s Artist in Residence!
Recently awarded the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Contemporary Singer of the Year, Coco combines diverse musical influences including jazz, R&B, pop, folk, and Gospel. Her love of improvising, and willingness to engage fearlessly with the audience has made Alcorn an established presence on the Canadian music scene. Alcorn’s career has spanned more than 30 years, nine solo albums, cross-Canada tours, collaborations, festival appearances, and award nominations. Her original songs have been used widely in TV and film and also sung by choirs around the world. Coco also leads the Wonderland Singers, an online community choir and creative singing workshop series with hundreds of regular members from across Canada, the States and beyond.
Coco will present her headline Concert on Sunday May 26th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now at Eventbrite.
Join in a free Joyful Singing workshop with Coco on Friday May 24th at 7 pm.
Coco will offer a Songwriting Workshop on Saturday May 25th. She will perform with other artists at the Free Flow on Saturday May 25th at 7 pm. She will share music during the worship service at Grosvenor Park United Church on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. And she will speak on a discussion panel on Sunday afternoon.
See Coco’s full schedule on the Artist in Residence page.
Donna Aldous
Donna Aldous – T’ai Chi Chih Instructor
Hello, my name is Donna Aldous and I am thrilled to be participating in this year’s Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon. I became an accredited T’ai Chi Chih instructor in 2002. I taught classes for many years in Meadow Lake, and since moving to Saskatoon I have three-hour sessions every couple of months at Queen’s House of Retreat. I also teach an hour weekly drop-in class at Bethany Manor on Thursdays at 10:30 am.
dmaldous@sasktel.net 306 236-7113
Register for T’ai Chi Chih sessions with Donna Aldous:
Friday May 24th:
Session #1 from 11:00-12:00
Session #2 from 4:00-5:00 pm.
Saturday May 25th:
Session #3 from 11:00-12:00,
Session #4 from 3:30-4:30 pm.
Registration at the Workshops page.
Kent Allen
Kent Allen - Actor
Kent is an actor with over 50 years of professional experience on stages across Canada. He has performed in Prince George, Richmond, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Montreal, Fredericton, and of course, Saskatoon. He has many radio and television credits, and has just completed filming on three projects. Kent is delighted to be part of the Contemplative Arts Festival. Learn more at his website.
Kent will perform at the Opening Celebration, Thursday May 23rd from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
More info at Special Events.
Admission is free.
Brenda Baker, photo by George Charpentier
Brenda Baker - Writer and Performer
Brenda Baker is a writer, performer and performance coach from Saskatoon. Her eclectic creative life spans 45 years and includes attaining a BFA in visual art; coast to coast appearances as a singer-songwriter; a career as a children’s entertainer; five CDs; and a DVD of her Indie Award nominated CD The Old Elephant’s Christmas. She’s received a Saskatchewan Book Award for Fiction for The Maleness of God, and one for Children’s Literature for Camp Outlook, which also won the 2015 USA-Canada High Plains Book Award. In 2005 Brenda became the founding director of Kids of Note, the hit choir for children of all abilities. In recognition of her work with Kids of Note and Grosvenor Park United Church, she recently received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from St. Andrew’s College. Brenda is the chair of the organizing committee for the Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon.
Brenda will offer a creative Workshop for adults:
Creative Living: A Conversation
Sunday May 26th, 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
Living a creative life is intrinsically related to living a more contemplative life. This workshop is for those who struggle to connect with their inner artist - the part of them that says “I want more from life, but I don’t know what or how to get there.” Writer and performer Brenda Baker has been on a creative journey all her life, and she offers you two hours of stories and conversation about what it’s meant for her to follow a more creative, contemplative path. Her hope is to inspire participants to take actions that will move them towards their own creative goals.
Info and registration at Workshops.
Brenda will moderate Discussion Panel 2:
Embodying the Spiritual. We will explore how a sculptor, Lee Fuller, a dancer, Miki Mappin, a singer-songwriter, Coco Love Alcorn, and a spiritual director, Shelly Manley-Tannis, use art to bring deeper meaning to their lives and the lives of their audiences. What does it mean for each of these creators to “embody the spiritual” in their work?
Sunday May 26th at 1:30 - 2:30 pm
More information at Panels.
Phyllis Baker
Phyllis Baker, BFA
With a background in design, years of experience working with fabric and thread, and a degree in fine art from the University of Saskatchewan, Phyllis Baker continues to explore new approaches to visual art. Neurographic art has provided a welcome contrast to her more representational work. Contour line in black ink with the colours of Inktense pencils are currently her media of choice.
Phyllis will offer two Neurographic Art Workshops.
Friday May 24th, 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 5:00 pm.
Participants in this workshop are invited to experience a time of quiet mindfulness as you work with line and colour to create a work of art. Your intuition will be your guide. Neurographic art can range from a simple doodle on a scrap of paper to a fully realized piece of art. A willingness to slow down and pay close attention to what is happening as you draw are the only requirements for this session. Materials will be provided.
Register at Workshops.
Belinda Betker,
photo by William McLean
Belinda Betker - Writer
Belinda Betker’s poetry collection, Phases, is a memoir in verse about coming-of-age through to coming out in mid-life and performing as a title-holding drag king. It was a 2020 finalist for two Saskatchewan Book Awards. The second edition of Phases, containing thirty-one additional new poems, was published in 2022.
Belinda's poetry and award-winning haiku can also be found on-line and in various anthologies, literary journals, and chapbooks. Visit her writing website. She is a founding member of two long-established Saskatoon writing groups, Sisters' Ink, and The Obsessors. She also helped form the Saskatoon Writers Collective, and has been on the Board of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild. Beyond writing, she is a Board member of both Queer Seniors of Saskatchewan and Spark Your Pride.
When she’s not writing, editing, mentoring, or volunteering, Belinda reads voraciously, especially poetry and memoirs. She lives in Saskatoon with her Australian wife and their rescue dog, a springer-spaniel/terrier cross.
Belinda will offer a Writing Workshop: Contemplating Your Writing Life
Friday May 24th from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.
Details and registration on the Workshops page.
Belinda will read some of her poems at the Free Flow performance on
Saturday May 25th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
More information at Special Events. Admission is free.
Lorne Deighton
Lorne Deighton - Musician
Lorne’s journey as a player/musician began during his high school years. Ever since, he has enjoyed, and been inspired by, the creative process of making music. Lorne is primarily a guitar player, but enjoys occasional forays on other stringed instruments. He also enjoys making music with others- most recently with the groups Wires & Wood, the Sons of Django, and the Sunday Worship Band at Grosvenor Park United Church. Lorne is delighted to be playing again at the Contemplative Arts Festival.
Lorne will perform on guitar at the Opening Celebration.
Thursday May 23rd from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
More info at Special Events. Admission is free.
Jumpin Juniper by Lee Fuller
Lee Fuller - Sculptor
Lee Fuller, a member of the Prairie Sculptors Association, has been a practising sculptor for over 40 years. He works primarily with found wood, after having experimented with clay and wire. Lee enjoys three-dimensional art as it spurs the imagination and challenges a person’s technical and artistic skills. He has participated in many group shows and symposia with Prairie Sculptors.
Lee will lead a Wire Sculpture Workshop on
Saturday May 25th from 3:15 to 5:00 pm.
Wire sculpture is a simple and inexpensive introduction to sculpture. Easily learned techniques can result in images that move, express an emotion, and bring a smile to the viewer’s face.
Details and Registration at Workshops.
Lee Fuller will speak on Discussion Panel 2: Embodying the Spiritual.
Sunday May 26 at 1:30 to 2:30 pm. More info at Panels.
Rhonda Gallant-Morari
Rhonda Gallant-Morari - Musician and teacher
Rhonda is a local singer-songwriter, teacher and outdoor enthusiast whose art, work, and day to day approach to life, is greatly influenced by her relationship with nature.
Discover Rhonda’s music at www.rhondagallant-morari.com
Join Rhonda Gallant-Morari in a Contemplative T-Shirt Workshop, on
Sunday May 26th from 2:30 to 5:00 pm.
Participants will create designs on a t-shirt (front or/and back) that reflect their connection to the natural world. Using stencils, objects and gathered natural materials, we will create designs, then use the technique of bleach misting to leave silhouettes on the shirts. This activity will take place outside and is weather permitting.
Info and registration at Workshops.
Brett Graham
Brett Graham - Musician
Brett Graham (Vibraphone) is a Saskatoon percussionist that plays in a wide variety of styles, performing regularly as a solo artist and in jazz combos. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from the University of Saskatchewan. Recently he has been studying solo vibraphone and free improvisation with a community of mallet enthusiasts led by Tony Micelli. Brett is a member of the Gerard Weber Group, a jazz-fusion band dedicated to performing the music of Pat Metheny. Other groups he has performed with include: the Stone Frigate Jazz Band, the Rory Lynch Quartet, the Weber Graham Duo, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra.
Find Brett on Instagram.
Brett will perform at the Opening Celebration on Thursday May 23rd, 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
More info at Special Events.
Jacqueline, a member of the Grosvenor Artists
The Grosvenor Artists
“Together in Art” is the motto of the Grosvenor Artists.
Our growth as artists is realized through a lively exchange of ideas, technical experience, and personal encouragement. Members meet on Thursdays at Grosvenor Park United Church. Two thirteen-week sessions are held annually between September and April. Our artists work in a variety of media including pencil, textiles, acrylics, oils and watercolour. Membership only requires that a person have a good working knowledge of their chosen medium. The Grosvenor Artists hold an annual show and sale.
On Friday May 24th, several of our artists will be at work in our meeting space at the church between 10:30 am and 3 pm. Please stop by to observe us as we work.
We’d be happy to share with you how our participation in the Grosvenor Artists has influenced our creative and contemplative experience in the arts. We look forward to seeing you!
Friday May 24th from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm
Free Drop-in Activities
Location: Schnell Hall.
Doris Hasell
Doris Hasell - Artist and Designer
Doris Hasell is an educator, professional interior designer, and practicing artist who enjoys sharing painting discoveries with others. She is a member of the Grosvenor Artists, and serves on the planning committee for this Contemplative Arts Festival.
Doris will be painting with the Grosvenor Artists on Friday May 24th from 10:30 to 3:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to drop in and chat with the artists, and observe their works in progress. More info at Free Drop-in Activities.
Doris will offer an Acrylic painting workshop:
A workshop from contemplation to achievement in creating an acrylic painting.
Join in exploring the supplies, tools and considerations in making an acrylic painting, with Doris Hasell from the Grosvenor Artists.
Saturday May 25th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Details and registration at Workshops.
dee Hobsbawn-Smith,
photo by Liane Faulder
dee Hobsbawn-Smith - Chef and writer
dee Hobsbawn-Smith is Saskatchewan’s 10th Poet Laureate. She is a chef, journalist, and multi-disciplinary author of ten books. Among the Untamed: poems, is a shortlisted finalist for 2024’s Sask Book Awards Poetry Award, and the City of Saskatoon Award. Her novel Danceland Diary was shortlisted for the 2023 Sask Book Awards Fiction Award, and was a shortlisted finalist for the Glengarry Book Prize. Bread & Water: essays, won Sask Book Awards’ 2022 Nonfiction Award, and Taste Canada’s Gold Medal for Culinary Narrative. Foodshed: An Edible Alberta Alphabet, won three international awards for its portrayal of the politics and challenges of small-scale sustainable growers. At dee’s 1992-94 restaurant, Foodsmith, one of the earliest locavore restaurants in Calgary, Alberta, and Canada, her menu changed daily and recognized dee’s farmers by name.
As an educator “blessed with precision and whimsy,” dee taught thousands of Albertans the nuts and bolts of cooking. She wrote a weekly column and features for the Calgary Herald for eight years, and for Calgary’s City Palate magazine from 1995-2010. She has a strong history of community service: as a mentor and editor; as Saskatoon Public Library’s 35th Writer in Residence; and as leader and Steering Committee member of Slow Food Calgary, and then Slow Food Saskatoon, for 15 years. She lives rurally west of Saskatoon.
dee will share a poetry reading at the Free Flow performance on
Saturday May 25th, 7;00 to 9:00 pm.
More information at Special Events. Admission is free.
She will offer a Contemplative Cooking workshop:
Saturday May 25th from 10:00 to 1:00 pm in Schnell Kitchen.
Cooking can be a thoughtful process, where the repetitive movement of the hands allows the mind to contemplate and consider. In this hands-on class with long-time Slow Food advocate, poet, and chef dee Hobsbawn-Smith, we will work in teams under dee’s thoughtful guidance as we make lunch to share. Along the way we’ll learn some centering, calming, contemplative ways to approach cooking that will ease the strain of everyday meals.
Details and registration at Workshops. Limit of 12 participants.
dee will speak on Discussion Panel 1:
Connecting with the Land:
Experiencing the Contemplative in Nature
Saturday May 25th, 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
More info at Panels.
Rev. Nobuko Iwai
Nobuko Iwai - Minister
Nobuko Iwai (pronounce: Noh-Boo’-Koh Ee-Wah’-Ee) (she/her) is a 1.5 generation (born in Japan and raised in Canada) Japanese Canadian woman. She has lived in Japan, and across three provinces before moving to Saskatchewan in 1989. Nobuko attempts many different endeavours, experiments, asks questions, and has a quirky sense of humour. Since 2015 she has ministered with the good people at Grosvenor Park United Church, in Treaty 6 territory, in the city of Saskatoon.
Nobuko will be hosting a Slow Tea with time to reflect and contemplate.
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 4:30 pm,
Saturday May 25th, 2:00 to 3:00 pm,
Sunday May 26th, 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
Location: the McFaull Reading Room.
Register at Workshops.
Nobuko will moderate Discussion Panel 1:
Connecting with the Land:
Experiencing the Contemplative in Nature.
Saturday May 25th, 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
More info at Panels.
Pat Krug
Pat Krug - Potter
Pat Krug has been working with clay for more than 40 years. She was inspired to start potting when local potters Folmer Hansen and David Ross took a group to a hilltop at Fort San to dig up clay, put it in water, clean out the stones and roots, strain it, dry it enough to be workable, make objects, and fire them.
Much of Pat’s clay work was made and sold on the farm and in Fort Qu’Appelle, across from Treaty Four meeting grounds, and on the homeland of the Métis. Using prairie landscapes as her artistic inspiration, she made pottery used in homes and churches throughout Western Canada. Her pottery was marketed in small towns and in Regina and Moose Jaw galleries and she shared her love of potting with children, young people and adults, individually and in groups, throughout British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Play with Clay:
Pat Krug will host this free drop-in activity, which will provide an opportunity for participants to reflect upon the nature of clay and see and feel how it responds to our hands.
Friday May 24th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm,
Saturday May 26th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm,
Sunday May 26th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Located in Schnell Hall.
More info at Free Activities.
KSAMB Dance Company: Kyle and Miki.
KSAMB Dance Company
Founded in 2009, KSAMB Dance Company is a socially engaged dance collaboration, co-directed by Kyle Syverson and Miki Mappin. We perform site-specific ensemble improvisation, often dancing outdoors for diverse audiences and events. Some of our extreme performances we consider 'dance survival', just as we consider improvisation an essential survival skill.
Generated from our practice of Contact Improvisation, our work is inspired by the primacy of sensation, and our close relationship with the environment. Our dance is activist, anti-oppression; a celebration and an imagining of a joyful future beyond capitalism.
We offer training and dance events to people of a broad range of ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Our classes and training include contact improvisation, ballet, modern, and somatic practices. Sometimes emotionally or physically risky, our practice is consent-based, as we strive to create safer, braver spaces for learning and performing.
KSAMB Dance Company will perform at the Opening Celebration.
Thursday May 23rd from 7:00 to 9:00 pm
More info at Special Events. Admission is free.
Our Presentation for the Festival: Falling Queer
Why Queer? It began with a practical reason — Miki developed the practice for a series of movement classes for Queer people in 2022. Kyle and KSAMB took up the practice, and worked on it over the winter. We took it to Barcelona, co-led a workshop for queer people, and performed in three different public locations. We realised that, like much of our work, it transgresses gender and social norms, and even though Kyle does not identify as queer, what we do can be read as queer.
Miki stresses the accessibility of the simple action of getting down and then getting up again. It is an embodiment and metaphor for resilience, a useful quality for life in the face of oppression, prejudice, and hatred.
Artistically, we continue to learn about the metaphorical and emotional potential of the practice as performance and social intervention. We experiment with dance that tries to survive outside the confines of competitive capitalism.
Miki Mappin will speak at Discussion Panel 2: Embodying the Spiritual.
Sunday May 26th, 1:30 - 2:30 pm.
More info at Panels.
Glenn Kurmey
Glenn Kurmey - Photographer
Glenn's first interest in photography began at age 8. His brother's camera was the catalyst for learning about all things photographic. He developed his first film in a dark bathroom. He then converted his dad's plate camera into an enlarger, using it to make prints. The rest is history! Ask if you are interested to hear more.
Contemplative Photography Workshop
Glenn says, “Contemplative photography gives us the opportunity to use our senses. It is not just a photograph as a flat image. We can turn the flat photograph into a multi sense experience. (Quantum physics.)” Come prepared to walk outdoors and photograph your personal images using your camera, phone, tablet etc.
Saturday May 25th at 1:30 to 3:00 pm.
Meet up in the church lobby, then the group will go for a walk in the neighbourhood.
Free Drop-in - no need to register in advance.
More info at Workshops.
Chris Lindgren
Chris Lindgren - Musician and Storyteller
Chris Lindgren has worked as a full-time musician, storyteller and harp teacher in Saskatoon for over 35 years. Her focus has been on gentle instrumental music, with genres spanning from medieval to original compositions. Chris often teams up with other musicians, notably Walter Hofmeister and Willoughby Widdershins.
www.chrislindgren.com
Chris will perform music for quiet reflection at the Free Flow performance, beginning to play at 6:30 pm. The main performance starts at 7 pm.
Saturday May 25th from 6:30 to 8:45 pm, followed by a reception.
Learn more at Special Events.
Lyndon J Linklater
Lyndon J Linklater - Knowledge Keeper
Lyndon J Linklater is a traditional knowledge keeper and storyteller. He is a citizen of the Thunderchild Cree Nation in Treaty 6, and has roots in Couchiching First Nation in Treaty 3.
Presently, Lyndon shares work with Remai Modern as their Indigenous Relations Advisor, providing advice to their board and staff and delivering cultural programming. He also assists many other agencies, organizations and institutions with their journeys on Truth and Reconciliation.
As part of the Contemplative Arts Festival, Lyndon will raise a traditional tipi on the lawn outside Grosvenor Park United Church on Thursday May 23rd. He will demonstrate the setup and teach about the protocols involved.
Lyndon will offer a sacred Smudge Ceremony to open the Festival in a good way on Friday May 24th at 10:00 am.
Lyndon says, “Indigenous people believe that special plants when lit, emit smoke that contains medicine. Smudging is a way to calm a persons’ mind, emotions, body and spirit. As part of the smudging, praying and singing will occur as a means to communicate with our Creator to ask for blessings for the day."
Storytelling with Lyndon in the Tipi:
Lyndon will share some traditional storytelling in the Tipi.
Friday May 24th, 1:30 am to 2:30 pm
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 4:30 pm.
More info at Workshops.
Free admission, no need to register.
Birch Bark Basket workshop:
Lyndon will offer two Birch Bark Basket workshops. “Basket making is very soothing for the soul. Time seems to pass and it is also very healing. Along with the basket making, storytelling and “teachings” will be shared.”
Saturday May 25th, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Sunday May 26th, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Register at Workshops. Cost $10.
Lyndon will speak on Discussion Panel 1:
Connecting with the Land:
Experiencing the Contemplative in Nature
Saturday May 25th, 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
More info at Panels. Admission is free.
Lyndon will perform traditional songs with a drum at the Free Flow performance on
Saturday May 25th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
More information at Special Events. Admission is free.
Lyndon will also offer a Smudge Ceremony on Sunday May 26th at about 5:00 pm as the Festival prepares for the final concert with Coco Love Alcorn.
Maria Linklater speaking at an event,
with her son Lyndon J Linklater.
Maria Linklater - Elder
A well-known, long-standing, and highly regarded cultural leader and mentor in Saskatoon, Maria Linklater was born at the Thunderchild First Nation. She was raised by her grandmother until the age of seven, when she was forced to attend residential school. Maria has dedicated much of her life to child welfare. She was employed by many social service agencies, and lovingly cared for over 350 foster children, many with FAS Disorder. Maria offered each of these children a safe place, loving environment, one that supported pride in their cultural identity. Maria, along with her late husband Walter, were the first Elders to join the Saskatoon Police Service Chief’s Advisory Committee, and served as Elders overseeing the Peacekeepers Program, consulted on the design of the Cultural Room at the SPS headquarters, and assisted the SPS in the design of the Indigenous-specific training courses at the Canadian Police College.
Presentation on making dolls for children:
Maria Linklater will speak about making dolls for First Nations children, and will bring some of these dolls to show to participants. Growing up, Maria noticed the only kinds of dolls available for children were “Barbie” dolls and others that were pink in skin colour. Many years ago, she decided to hand make some dolls that were more culturally appropriate and relevant. She calls them “Kohkom and Moshum” dolls.
Saturday May 25th, 10:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Location: Sanctuary.
Admission is free.
Info at Workshops.
Bird Bath by Zoltan Markan
Zoltan Markan - Sculptor
Zoltan Markan, Hungarian by birth, is a multidisciplinary visual artist working with many types of art media. He has an Honours B.F.A from NSCAD and three post secondary diplomas in art and design. He taught studio printmaking at the Sheridan College School of Crafts and Design and has participated in numerous art demos and symposia over the last 40 years as well as in numerous group, solo and international art exhibitions in several Canadian provinces. He has also worked collaboratively with other artists to create public sculptures and designs.
Zoltan Markan is active in art mentorship, education, consulting, promotion and has been involved in curating art exhibitions. He is currently working on initiatives involving interactive art and mental health. Zoltan has numerous works in public venues, private and corporate collections.
Zoltan will lead a Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop on
Saturday May 25th from 1:00 to 2:45 pm.
In an age of environmental awareness, what better way to create art than from recovered, recycled materials. In this workshop, a plethora of small found objects will be provided from which participants will create small sculptures and contemplate the beauty that can be drawn out of what otherwise might be considered garbage!
Info and Registration at Workshops.
Shelly Manley-Tannis
Shelly Manley-Tannis - Spiritual Director and Artist
Shelly (she/her) is a spiritual director, artist - with a certificate from the WHEAT (Winnipeg Holistic Expressive Arts Therapy) program - and a United Church Minster. She loves writing, visual journaling, upcycling, music and photography.
Originally from Ontario, Shelly has lived in either Saskatchewan or Manitoba for the past 23 years. She loves offering workshops as well as one-on-one spiritual companioning. She spends her time between Saskatoon and Manitou Beach, both part of Treaty 6 Territory, with her spouse, Richard, and 2 active dogs. She is excited to be back at CAFS for the third time.
‘I will stand in the Joy. I will stand in the Joy.’ - William Prince
Two Workshops with Shelly Manley-Tannis:
1. JOY Session - Friday May 24th, 12:30 to 3:00 pm
In this 3 hour workshop (really a ‘playshop’) we will look at definitions of JOY, how we might be called to it by our Creator, and how to practice it. We will do this through ritual and creative process such as journaling and art-making. Moments for play and laughter will be part of our time together as well.
The goal is not just to create joy for ourselves but, as the Archbishop [Desmond Tutu] poetically phrased it, ‘to be a reservoir of joy, an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that can ripple out to all those around you.’ As we will see, joy is in fact quite contagious.
- The Book of Joy
Register for Workshops.
2. “Cards of Encouragement & Affirmation”
Saturday May 25th, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Often we are our own loudest critic, and sometimes we need reminders that we are wonderful, unique creations. In this 2 ½ hour session participants will have the opportunity to make some reminders - a few cards (post-card type) with quotes and colour, either for themselves or perhaps a friend who needs encouragement.
We’ll use a combination of collage, stamping, drawing, hand-writing and/or painting – whatever comes to mind – and there is no previous experience necessary!
Register for Workshops.
Shelly will speak on Discussion Panel 2, Embodying the Spiritual.
Sunday May 26th, 1:30 - 2:30 pm.
More info at Panels.
Marisa Merasty-Buffalo
with Parker Longjohn
Marisa Merasty-Buffalo - Beading instructor
Tansi (Hello), Marisa Merasty-Buffalo is from Flying Dust First Nation. She also has family roots that have her connected to the community of Whitecap Dakota Nation. Marisa has been a jingle dress dancer most of her life. She has been beading for many years now with various projects, and beading is a huge passion of her family. Beading has always kept Marisa rooted to her cultural roots, and she is very excited for this program to get started so she can share her knowledge of beading.
Mwêstas (until next time)!
Marisa will lead a Beading Workshop on
Sunday May 26th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
To begin in a good way, the beading workshop will open with a song by Parker Longjohn. Participants will meet one another and then learn about why beading is such an important part of Indigenous culture. After being introduced to the materials and tools used to create a lanyard, each person will spend the afternoon creating one, with ongoing instruction from Marisa. To end our time together, Parker will offer a closing song.
Info and Registration at Workshops.
Photo: five sculptures by members of the Prairie Sculptors Association. Top left “Reg and Ethyl” by Paul Constable. Top right “Bison” by Kevin Quinlan. Lower left “Jumpin Juniper” by Lee Fuller. Lower centre “With In” by Patricia Oderkirk. Lower right “Bird Bath” by Zoltan Markan.
Prairie Sculptors Association
The Prairie Sculptors Association will install an exhibition of sculptures during the Festival, from Thursday May 23rd at 6:30 pm to Sunday May 26th at 5:00 pm.
Ten local sculptors founded Prairie Sculptors’ Association (PSA) in 1982. Bill Epp, a renowned artist, and professor of sculpture at the U of S, inspired the group. We have 24 members working in diverse materials from clay to steel and hard stone. The PSA membership comprises both full time and part time artists.
Current and past members have created much of the public art in Saskatoon and North Battleford. For example, the Gabriel Dumont bronze statue located in Friendship Park (Bill Epp) and the welded rebar “Saskatoon Cougar” at the 19th Street underpass (Kevin Quinlan).
The main activities of the PSA have been symposia and shows. We will have a major event in Martensville from August 6 to 15th 2024, and an exhibition in the Galleria building at Innovation Place from September 24 to October 3rd. Sculpture is highly varied and creative. We are committed to imagination and excellence."
Paul Constable, PSA Chair, will give a short talk at the Opening Celebration on Thursday May 23 at 7:00 pm.
Paul Constable is a multi-disciplinary Painter, Printmaker, and Sculptor from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His sculpture employs a variety of mediums such as found materials, plastics, metals, paper mache, wood and more. His work quite often has environmental or political overtones. Workshops and Commissions considered. More of Paul's work can be seen on his website.
Workshops:
Zoltan Markan will offer a Mixed Media Sculpture workshop on Saturday May 25th 1:00 to 2:45 pm.
In this workshop, a plethora of small found objects will be provided from which participants will create small sculptures, and contemplate the beauty that can be drawn out of what otherwise might be considered garbage!
Info and registration at Workshops.
Lee Fuller will offer a Wire Sculpture workshop
on Saturday May 25th, 3:15 to 5:00 pm.
Wire sculpture is a simple and inexpensive introduction to sculpture. Easily learned techniques can result in images that move, express an emotion, and bring a smile to the viewer’s face.
Info and registration at Workshops.
Lee Fuller will speak at
Discussion Panel 2: “Embodying the Spiritual.”
Sunday May 26th, 1:30 - 2:30 pm.
More info at Panels.
Shawn Sanford Beck
Shawn Sanford Beck - Minister
Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck is currently the Recruitment Officer and a Spiritual Exploration guide at St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon. He has been involved with eco-spirituality and green theology for the past two decades. From urban full moon ceremonies, to off-grid earthen prayer, to extensive work with druidic and other creation-centric traditions, Shawn has sown the seeds of greenspirit practice wherever he goes! You can check out some of Shawn's writing here: EcoSophian blog or here: Christian Animism book, or his newest book here: A Prairie Rune.
Shawn will speak on Discussion Panel 1:
Connecting with the Land:
Experiencing the Contemplative in Nature.
Saturday May 25th, 4:00 to 5:00 pm.
More info at Panels.
Two workshops with Shawn Sanford Beck:
1. “Three Seeds of Ecological Spirituality”
Friday May 24th, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Come for a time of shared reflection and gentle spiritual practice, as the Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck offers us the “three seeds” of Christian Animism, Green Priestcraft, and Kything. For many, these will be entirely new concepts and forms of spirituality, each of which has the potential to deepen our relationship with the living Earth and all the more-than-human neighbours with whom we share this precious life. As these seeds spring to life within the soil of your soul, you may find yourself on the journey of becoming a chaplain to creation!
Info at Workshops. Admission is free.
2. “Runes, Roots, and Reconciliation”
Sunday May 26th, 3:00 to 4:00 pm
Join Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck and Darcy Blahut for a reading and exploration of their new book A Prairie Rune. The co-authors will share reflections on the writing process as a contemplative journey through land, culture, spirituality, and language itself. Signed books will be available for purchase at this workshop.
Info at Workshops. Admisson is free.
Nathaniel Trebish
Nathaniel Trebish - Origami
Hello, my name is Nathaniel Trebish (He/Him). I have been passionate about art from a young age, and have explored and participated in a variety of art forms from acting and music to physical mediums.
Origami has been a long-time passion of mine since elementary school, starting from small pieces such as accordion fold frogs to more intricate designs ranging from animals to video game characters. My favourite part about origami is when I can look into and share the stories behind different pieces and how they were designed. This includes bringing origami into the classroom, as I currently work as a teacher under SPSD. I can’t wait to share my love of origami with you at our Contemplative Arts Festival. Hope to see you there!
Drop-in Origami Making
Nathaniel will share the ancient art of paper folding and teach how to make a variety of origami pieces. For all ages, including beginners and those who have experience with origami.
Free drop-in:
Friday May 24th and Saturday May 25th
from 10:00 to 5:00 pm.
Sunday May 26th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
More info at Free Activities.
Paddy Tutty
Paddy Tutty - Musician
Paddy Tutty is a singer of ancient ballads, songs from a woman's perspective, songs of wit and mirth, and seasonal pageants. Her concerts entwine old and new folk music, embellished with fretted dulcimer, guitar, fiddle and concertina. Paddy has shared her spirited repertoire with audiences across Canada with passion, warmth and humour. She has recorded six albums on her label Prairie Druid Music which have been well received beyond our borders.
Website: https://prairiedruid.net
Paddy will perform at the Opening Celebration:
Thursday May 23rd, 7:00 to 8:45 pm, followed by a reception.
More info at Special Events.