In 1998 the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) coupled with photographer Shaun Harrison for a project they entitled Women of Influence in the Energy City.
The project not only met its artistic objective, but gained a lot of approval from the community that welcomed the subsequent exhibit featuring 18 local women who had made significant contributions in a wide variety of ways.
Now, as part of their contribution to, and participation in, Canada’s 150th birthday party, the EAGM is promoting the concept once again, nearly 20 years later.
“The dynamics of that 1998 exhibit, which we still have and we put on display a few months ago, was significant,” said Sarah Durham, the EAGM’s curator of collections.
This time around, the project is entitled Heroines and will feature photographic renderings of 20 women of influence in the community in 2017 (and beyond).
“It’s pretty exciting just to see who we will get for nominations,” said Durham.
The project, which was launched in January is simple in the nominee selection process.
Submit the name of a woman you believe has made an outstanding contribution to Estevan and tell the gallery why you think so. They might be a mentor, teacher, neighbour or friend. Just tell the EAGM team how these nominees have made Estevan a better place.
A volunteer jury selected by the EAGM will provide the 20 finalists who will be professionally photographed with the portraits hung at the EAGM as part of the Heroine exhibition and being part of the gallery’s 150 salute. The exhibit will then go on a mini tour throughout the community before becoming a part of their permanent collection.
Durham said the photographs from the original project may also be included in one form or another, but that has not been determined yet.
Nominations can be messaged to the gallery via their Facebook connection or e-mailed to them at office.eagm@sasktel.net.
They can also be submitted in person at the EAGM or simply give them a call at 306-634-7644 and make the nomination verbally. Just remember the name, and tell them why you are nominating them.
The nominations close on May 1 and the selection process will be completed in time for the launching of Heroines on July 25 at the gallery. That exhibit will be available for public viewing until September 1 before it begins the mini tour in various venues around the city.
Durham said she expects the call for nominations will attract a lot of worthy nominees which will put some pressure on the panel members who will have the unenviable job of paring down the list to 20 finalists.
