February 2023 marks the beginning of SK Arts' 75th anniversary year. On February 3, 1948, the Saskatchewan Arts Board opened its doors, supporting artists across the province. As we celebrate this milestone, we look to honour the past, the present and the future of the province's vibrant arts community with the We Celebrate You campaign. SK Arts asked 75 established artists to nominate one strong, emerging artist, program or training opportunity that makes the future of Saskatchewan arts exciting.

Gary Varro - Picture of art Soft Peak 2, Live Biennale, Gary Varro

Photo credit: Soft Peak 2, Live Biennale, Gary Varro 

Gary Varro

Born and based in Regina, Gary Varro is an artist whose practice encompasses visual art, performance, and curation. Gary has exhibited his installation and performance artwork locally, nationally, and internationally within the last twenty years. In 1996, Gary established Queer City Cinema, a Regina‐based festival that has, over the years, come to program both film and performance art. The organization now presents two combined festivals annually.

Jaye Kovach - Trans-woman smashing bricks in a park

Photo credit:  Leo Keiser 

Jaye Kovach

Jaye Kovach is a multimedia and performance artist who lives as a white Magyar/Scottish settler on Treaty 4 territory (Regina). Her work, which has received local and national attention, often engages their queer and trans community, taking as its starting point his positionality as a disabled and neurodivergent, butch trans woman.

In 2019, she was featured in the spotlight section of Canadian Art’s FEMME issue. In 2020, they attended the Intergenerational LGBT Artist Residency. His performance work has been presented at Queer City Cinema/Performatorium, a queer media and performance art festival based in Regina that attracts international artists and filmmakers.

Jaye is a current participant of Tender Container’s Peer Mentorship Platform, Do Trans People Dream of Non-binary Sheep? She also facilitated the Capacitor project, a programming channel for Two Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming artists with a connection to Saskatchewan, with the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Art Galleries and Collection. Most recently they have been named interim project director for Into The Streets, a Regina-based mentorship program for trans girls and youth affected by transmisogyny.

“…made a significant contribution the arts in Saskatchewan.” -  Gary Varro

I have chosen Jaye Kovach as my nominated emerging artist as they work within the disciplines of performance art and film and have already made a significant contribution the arts in Saskatchewan. As a queer and transgender individual, it is important to provide recognition of trans folks in our community. Jaye has and continues to create work that address these identities.