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.

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Jack Semple, SK Arts 75th anniversary nominator - Man playing a guitar on a picture with an autograph.

Photo credit: Daniel Paquet

Jack Semple

Jack Semple is a veteran Canadian Blues/RnB musician. He has won a JUNO, two Wester Canadian Music Awards, two Gemini nominations and the national Guitar competition “Guitar Wars’. Jack has been touring the US with the help of manager Steve Ozark. Steve Ozark booked gigs for Jack and his band in New York (BB Kings on Times Square), Memphis (Beale Street Music Festival), New Jersey (The Record Collector), Mount Baker Blues Fest, Thunder Bay Blue and RBC Ottawa Blues Fest.

Riley McLennan, SK Arts 75th anniversary nominee - Photo by Quintin Friesen. Young man on stage in red lighting playing a guitar. He is wearing a cap, medium length hair.

Photo credit: Laura Lee Giesbrecht and Kenton Doupe

Riley McLennan

Riley McLennan is an artist, producer, and audio engineer from Regina, SK. He currently writes, records, and tours with a handful of bands in Regina including Flash Back and Phrozen, as well as his solo indie-pop endeavour Lova Lamp. Within the past year, Riley has had the opportunity to tour across Canada, the United States, and Europe with Flash Back, and the group was also recently awarded the SMA for Metal/Loud Artist of the Year for the second year in a row. In addition to performing in their own bands, Riley also teaches Guitar and Bass at School of Rock Regina and works as the audio engineer at the Creative City Centre. Within the past year, Riley has had the opportunity to record/mix local artists such as Suke, Dog Pile, and Jake and the Kid, and will be continuing to do so throughout 2023, in addition to producing artists in the CCC's Recording Artist Development Program.

“… an amazing guitarist.” - Jack Semple

Riley plays in three different all original bands; Lova Lamp, Flash Back and Phrozen! He’s toured the US and Europe and Canada. He is teaching at school of Rock. He is a full-time student at the University of Regina taking geography and environmental studies. Plus, he is running the Creative City centre audio engineering job in the Rad program. He is also a freelance audio engineer and producer. And an amazing guitarist!