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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Title: The Moon She Glows, Photo credit: Jonathon Lorange

Sherron Burns

Discovery, curiosity and collaboration are key to creation of new work as a multimedia artist and puppeteer. Sherron works in intimate settings with a suitcase, found objects, puppets, and shadow, to let original stories of myths (both real and imagined) unfold. Old tales of transformation and hybrid characters of water, earth and sky beings, are brought to life through sculpture and play. Sherron lives in North Battleford and is founding member of Collective Creations and ARC Creative Studios. She has collaborated with puppeteers from Yellowknife, Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa and acknowledges the mentorship so generously shared.

Photo credit: Jesse Fulcher Gagnon

Taegan O'Bertos

Taegan O’Bertos (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist from Saskatoon. She specializes in set and prop design, with extensive experience in scenic painting. She has also been contracted as a puppet builder with Sum Theatre for three consecutive years, as well as projection designer for Flush (Fittonia Films, 2022) and Reasonable Doubt (Persephone Theater, 2020). Taegan’s design work has led to positions including Head of Props at the University of Saskatchewan, and Production Assistant at Persephone Theater. She’s also found other artistic outlets such as shadow puppetry, graphic design, miniature building and body painting. More recently, Taegan has plunged into a new world of design, adapting and broadening her skill set for film. She looks forward to pursuing her passion for theatre and film design to help bring these unique worlds to life right here in the prairies.

"…sought after as an artist for her unique perspective and original approach to design solutions."

I nominate Taegan O'Bertos as an outstanding emerging multi-disciplinary artist from Saskatoon. I first met Taegan when she was in high school in North Battleford and have watched her grow as an artist and flourish in her field, whether working in set design, prop creation, lighting, costume, or film to puppetry and shadow play. She has a philosophy of creating centred on exploration, playing and innovation. She is committed to the challenge of finding ways to reuse and re-purpose materials in her artmaking in a conscious effort to reduce waste. Though still in her 20s, she already has extensive experience in theatre, film and puppetry, working for Sum Theatre, Versa Films, Persephone and as Head of Props for the U of S. She is sought after as an artist for her unique perspective and original approach to design solutions. Taegan is an artist to watch, and I am excited to see where she will go in her work in puppetry. I hope we have an opportunity to collaborate sometime. As Laura says, "Puppets are magic and wonderment for children, and I will never tire of seeing their faces light up when the puppets come out." Bravo, Taegan!