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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Photo credit: Louise Lafferty Photography

Leah Dorion

Leah Marie Dorion is a Métis writer and artist currently living near Prince Albert. Her artwork celebrates the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and families. Leah is also a published children's book author and illustrator. Several of her Métis cultural books are available through Gabriel Dumont Press in Saskatoon and Strong Nations Publishing in Nanaimo, British Columbia.

Recently, Oscardo, an online gift shop located in Toronto began distributing products and fashions featuring her unique style of art works. Leah has a passion for early years education and is currently working with the Métis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) to develop Métis cultural early years resources for children and families. She is a proud member of CARFAC which is the national voice of Canada's professional visual artists. Visit www.leahdorion.ca for more information about her artistic practice.

Photo Credit: All My Relations Photography

Mann Art Galley Education Program

The Mann has offered exhibition tours and studio activities for many years through a host of dedicated volunteers. In 2011, the gallery hired its first permanent educator, and in 2014 when Lana Wilson was hired, the position became full-time. Lana has worked very hard and creatively to develop a very robust and multi-faceted education program that serves an impressively diverse range of people of all levels of mobility and ability. Outreach programs engage seniors, youths at risk, and students. Mann Art Gallery tents that provide shelter for outdoor activities and summer camps are an annual feature of gallery offerings.

"…quality Indigenous programming for the K-12 schools…"

For the past five years, the education program at the Mann Art Gallery has implemented an effective strategy for Indigenous programming inspired by the TRC Reconciliation Calls to Action. I have personally witnessed the Mann offer quality Indigenous programming for the K-12 schools as well as to community-based programming that is authentically grounded in Indigenous arts approaches. I was a part of this reconciliation action as the Mann supported two years of Métis arts mentorship in our community to grow the Métis arts knowledge transfer in our community. I am so proud to have assisted the Mann Art Gallery to transfer quality Métis arts programming to our community. Also, the Mann Art Gallery created a special Métis arts residency for me to bring more Métis cultural arts programming into the community in the form of Métis women’s cultural sewing. We were able to host an amazing sewing series featuring the high plains style Métis ribbon skirt.