Sheila Orr's artwork Returning Tainted Gifts, 1999, was recently donated to SK Arts' Permanent Collection by the estate of Orr’s friend and former co-worker, Carolyn Cardinal. The mixed-media work captures Orr's signature dreamscape vision style and consists of a miniature bark canoe – anchored by bear claws – that is filled with stacks of bound wool blankets. The canoe is floating in front of a painted aerial view of Canada's east coast. The artwork was conserved to remove dust, dirt and smoke residue upon donation before being placed in a protective custom-built Plexiglas box and frame, a process that took almost two years.
Julia Krueger, Registrar at SK Arts, says the piece is an excellent example of Orr's aesthetic as she is known for incorporating various materials within a single work.
If you asked a group of rural students what an artist is, you might get many different answers. “‘Artist’ can be a vague idea to students—something we see in movies or in books, but not often in real life in a small town,” says Deadra Oblander, a teacher at Bulyea Elementary School. Fortunately, students in the community recently had the opportunity to work with Regina artist Shaunna Dunn on a special project funded by an Artists in Schools—Projects Grant from SK Arts.
“The project allowed students to work with a practicing artist and develop their creative skills. Shaunna’s answers and methods were different than those of ‘regular’ teachers, which allowed students to learn and develop in new ways,” says Oblander.
SK Arts’ Micro-Grant Program will pause after the March 1, 2026, deadline as the agency revises the program to better serve the arts community and support long-term sustainability. Reviews of the Micro-Grant and other programs identified changing community needs, requiring a prioritization of funding to targeted, underserved areas in our arts ecology. The revised Micro-Grant structure will provide improved services and address sustainability concerns related to program frequency.
The updated Micro-Grant Program will reopen with a June 1, 2026, deadline and offer three annual deadlines: one for arts organizations and two for professional artists and collectives, with a focus on first-time applicants. Further details and dates will be announced.
