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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John Hampton

Photo credit: None

John Hampton

John G. Hampton (they/them) is the Executive Director and CEO of the MacKenzie Art Gallery. They are a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, the United States, and Canada, but grew up in – and has spent most of their life in – Regina (Oskana kâ-asatêki). John has previously held positions as Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Artistic Director of Trinity Square Video in Toronto, and Curator at Neutral Ground Artist Run Centre. 

The Comeback Society - 9 women in ribbon skirts posing for a picture.

Photo credit: Alicia Morrow, TCS - Ribbon Skirt Classes, offered Indigenous kin in the community

The Comeback Society

The Comeback Society is an Indigenous led nonprofit organization focused on amplifying Indigenous voices and culture by promoting food sovereignty, cultural programming, cultural collaborations, land base education and education and training.

TCS is made up of five sections, each section of the comeback is a place where knowledge can be exchanged and interwoven with one another. This weaving of these five elements strengthens and maximizes the education and community engagement structure that they are co-creating with their community. The Comeback Society practices and believes in the value of hands-on learning and oral education, and they include these in all intersections of their programming; it is Indigenous pedagogy. The Comeback Society believe that it is crucial that their kin – young and old and everyone in between –are included in making our programming teachable, interactive, and relevant to our community.

“…an important and necessary force in our community.” – John Hampton

The Comeback Society is an exciting new organization supporting urban Indigenous folks through culture and community connection. They started as a podcast, but since transitioning to a non-profit organization, The Comeback Society has very quickly established themselves as an important and necessary force in our community. Partnering with them to support youth workshops for the recent Faye Heavyshield exhibition at the MacKenzie Art Gallery brought new meaning and purpose to this work, and they have had similar impacts throughout the community, creating partnerships and supporting youth and community members in workshops on storytelling, ribbon skirt/shirts, beading, land acknowledgements, and other cultural activities. Alicia and the whole Comeback Society team have been an inspiration as they help build a beautiful future for our communities, rooted in culture, land, relations, and sovereignty.