With the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games about to begin, there are a number of cultural attractions that will be available to enjoy throughout the week the games are taking place.
Amber Andersen, director at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) culture representative for the Sask. Summer Games committee, said that there will be an assortment of cultural events taking place within Estevan from Monday to Friday. Many of the events offered will take place at the art tent, just outside the EAGM.
“On, basically, every day of the week, we’re always free to the public. Wednesday night we’re going to be doing a local art showcase in the art tent from 6 to 9 p.m.,” said Andersen. “That’s going to be all our local artists and artisans showcasing the work they’ve made over the years.”
A form of Saskatchewan’s heritage will be on display from Monday to Friday, going from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with buffalo hide tanning.
“You can actually see the traditional method of how the hide is tanned,” said Andersen. “It’s a real opportunity, too. It’s not something you get to see every day. It’s going to be done the traditional way, and that’s very exciting.”
The Estevan Arts Council will be hosting a drop-in craft activity for children, running from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the art tent, located at the EAGM, Andersen noted. The activities will be guided by artist-in-residence Diana Chisholm.
Monday, July 25 will entail an event that will pay homage to the athletic spirit of the week of the Games, with a sports-related event on display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the art tent and in the gallery.
There will also be mini golf available at the Estevan Public Library, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“And then on Tuesday evening, they’re going to be doing some chalk logos, where they’re altering the different Sask. Summer games logos, used for the different sporting events,” said Andersen. “That’s going to be a demonstration, and we’re going to have some fun with that.”
Andersen said the drawing of chalk logos will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the art tent, and will also be led by Chisholm.
Wednesday will feature a Pioneer Game Challenge at the Souris Valley Museum, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“It will take place at the museum, and basically they’re looking at the different sports going on, and putting them into a pioneer context,” said Andersen. “There’s going ot be tug of war, and games like that, maybe some potato sack racing.”
Andersen noted that Thursday, July 28 will be a significant day for the EAGM, with a children’s art exhibit running from 5 to 7 p.m. in the art tent, showcasing artwork made by summer art camp students.
Later that evening, there will be a celebration indoors at the gallery, featuring another tribute to the athletic theme of the week, with an art exhibit by Belinda Kriek entitled Spectate; a series of paintings that that turns the focus from from the Roughriders to the fans of the Roughriders.
“We’re celebrating the opening of three sports-related exhibitions, and we’ll have Belinda Kriek on hand to talk about her exhibition, Spectate,” said Andersen. “She kind of flips it, where it’s more about the spectator than it is about the actual athletes.”
Then on Friday, the EAGM’s parking lot party will take place at the art tent. Andersen noted that doors will open at 8 p.m., and the event will run until 2:00 a.m. The event will feature the talent of Regina rock band Third Degree Birnz.
Another cultural highlight for the Energy City during the week of the games, Andersen added, was the Souris Valley Theatre. Volstead Blues will be performed every evening from Monday to Friday, during the week of the games, starting at 7:30 p.m.
“You don’t want to miss this one. It’s about prohibition, so it’s an interesting story for the southeast,” said Andersen. “I’ll also mention there’s a prohibition exhibition at the art tent, talking about prohibition with a mini-display.”
Other attractions include Tourism Estevan offering Energy Tours starting at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Monday to Friday, with the exception of Thursday, when tours are only available in the morning.
“There’s so much energy and excitement, because there’ll be so many people in the city, to see the young athletes,” said Andersen. “Everyone is bringing something really interesting to the table, and we’re excited to see what happens, and how it turns out.”
