Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon
Free Activities
Drop-In Activities
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.
Exhibition: Prairie Sculptors Association
The Prairie Sculptors Association will exhibit a collection of sculptures by multiple artists in varied media during the Festival, from Thursday May 23rd at 6:30 pm until Sunday May 26th at 5:00 pm.
Location: Sanctuary and Grace Land.
Admission is free.
Opening Celebration:
Thursday May 23rd, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Paul Constable, Chair of the Prairie Sculptors Association, will give a short talk at the Festival Opening to launch the exhibition.
Learn more at Special Events. Free.
Zoltan Markan will lead a Mixed Media Workshop on Saturday May 25, 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
Info and registration at Workshops.
Lee Fuller will lead a Wire Sculpture Workshop on Saturday May 25, 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
More Info and registration at Workshops.
Lee Fuller will speak on Discussion Panel 2: “Embodying the Spiritual.”
Sunday May 26 at 1:30 pm
More info on Discussion Panels.
Jacqueline, with the Grosvenor Artists.
Photo: Matt Smith
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.
Our artists work in a variety of media including pencil, textiles, acrylics, oils and watercolour. An annual show and sale is held on the first weekend in November.
On Friday May 24th, some 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!
Drop in: Friday May 24,
from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Location: Schnell Hall
Origami at the Festival in 2023.
Photo by Matt Smith.
Origami with Nathaniel Trebish
Nathaniel Trebish (see Artists) 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 24 and Saturday May 25
from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Sunday May 26 from 1 to 5:00 pm.
Location: Purple Room
Clay - photo by Alex Jones on Unsplash
Play with Clay with Pat Krug
Spend a little time with potter Pat Krug (see Artists), who will provide an opportunity for participants to reflect upon the nature of clay, and see and feel how it responds to our hands.
Free Drop in:
Friday May 24 and Saturday May 25 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Sunday May 26 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Location: Schnell Hall
Meditation Room at the Festival in 2023.
Meditation Room
The meditation room will be available on all four days of the festival. This quiet space will have comfortable seating, a water fountain, candles and stones to help focus your attention, and some written prompts for reflection and meditation. At certain times a leader may offer a guided meditation.
Free Drop in:
Thursday May 23, 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Friday May 24 and Saturday May 25 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Sunday May 26 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Location: Yellow Room
Rainbow labyrinth at the Festival in 2023
Labyrinth Walk
Free drop-in:
Friday May 24 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Saturday May 25 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Sunday May 26 12:00 - 1:30 pm
and 4:00 - 5:00 pm
What is a Labyrinth Walk?
A labyrinth is a walking meditation. It has one path in to the centre and the same path leads the walker out of the labyrinth. It is not a maze that is meant to confuse and test the mind. Rather the labyrinth is meant to quiet the mind so that the heart may connect more deeply with the Divine.
There are typically three parts to the labyrinth walk: 1) walking in, 2) time at the centre, 3) walking out.
“Walking in” is a time to let go of all that keeps us from connecting more deeply with the Spirit – purging the thoughts and illusions that might inhibit, and distract us from connecting with the Divine. It is preparation for the time we will spend at the centre; and preparation to be open to the Spirit moving within us.
The Centre is the place where we come to the centre of ourselves – to the place within us where we meet the Divine, the place where the Spirit connects to our spirit. It is the place of prayer or meditation as we sit or stand with the Divine asking our questions, offering ourselves, and seeking guidance.
“Walking out” is a time to reflect on how we will integrate into our daily living our experience of being at the centre.
Many thanks to the Saskatoon Unitarians for the loan of this beautiful labyrinth.
Location: Sanctuary
Piano player - photo by George Charpentier
Music for Quiet Contemplation
Recorded music will be played in the Sanctuary. Listeners are invited to sit quietly and reflect, journal or draw, or walk the labyrinth.
Free Drop in:
Friday May 24, 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Saturday May 25, 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Sunday May 26, 12:00 - 1:30 pm
and 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Tipi at the Festival in 2019
Tipi Time
Take a little time to sit quietly in the tipi provided by Knowledge Keeper, Lyndon J Linklater.
Go with the flow for a few minutes, reflect and contemplate.
Location: outside.
Free Drop in:
Friday May 24 and Saturday May 25 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Sunday May 26 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
Zentangle examples from the 2019 Festival
Zentangle
Drop in to practice the meditative art of Zentangle. Instructions and examples will be posted, and paper, pencils and ink pens are provided. Go with the flow for a few minutes and see what patterns might emerge.
Location: Green Room
Free Drop in:
Friday May 24 and Saturday May 25 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Sunday May 26 from 1:00 to 4:30 pm.