ESTEVAN — Estevan and its neighbouring communities recently welcomed a visitor with a unique mission: to capture the beauty of abandoned spaces scattered across the southeast Saskatchewan landscape.
Artist and historian Susan Smith Brazill, founder of the popular Facebook page Chasing Yesterday, spent several days exploring Bromhead, Torquay, Outram, Frobisher, Alameda and other rural locales. With 55,000 followers captivated by her evocative images, Smith Brazill seeks to preserve the stories embedded in forgotten places.
"I have a deep connection to forgotten spaces — remnants of the past in the vast expanse of the Saskatchewan landscape," she shared in her artist statement. "Chasing Yesterday photography embodies a quest for memory, history and the beauty found in the forgotten, all intricately tied to the endless skies of the prairie. It's about the stories waiting to be discovered and shared."
Known for her thoughtful and nostalgic photographs, Smith Brazill is passionate about capturing the remnants of history, whether it's an abandoned farmhouse or a solitary grain elevator against the prairie sky. Her images often feature weathered barns, stoic churches and rusting vehicles that once served as vital tools for a way of life now fading.
Captivated by Estevan's distinct landscape
Smith Brazill says she always had an interest in Saskatchewan's southeastern region, and her recent trip only deepened her admiration.
"The Estevan area, with its rugged landscape and unique geological formations, offers a distinct contrast to the rest of the province," she explained.
For her, each location in this part of Saskatchewan holds a special allure, from "the vast, open prairies, gentle rolling hills, and sprawling farmland" to the scattered wetland areas that attract migratory birds.
The journey took her through towns like Frobisher and Torquay, where she found scenes rich with the texture of Prairie life.
"Exploring areas like Frobisher, Outram, Torquay, Bromhead and Alameda has left a lasting impression," Smith Brazill said. "Each quiet road, each fading structure, and each solitary tree in a field had a story embedded in it."
Her photographs capture the stark beauty of isolated trees, "creating a sense of space and solitude" and the endless skies, "expansive, giving dramatic views of weather patterns."
While in the area, she also had the opportunity to gift an angel ornament to Leigh-Ann Tessier's mother, commemorating the Estevan woman who died in a motorcycle crash in North Dakota in 2023.
"It was a deeply meaningful moment. I make these ornaments by hand, often using vintage sheet music, Japanese paper or other materials," Smith Brazill shared. "Leigh-Ann Tessier was an inspiring number 1 follower of Chasing Yesterday. I never met her – but I know she was a gem."
She noted that each ornament takes hours to craft, so by the time it's finished, it feels like it holds a piece of her heart.
"When Leigh-Ann's mother received it, it felt like a little piece of my journey had reached her as well. In many ways, my art and photography are about connection," she added.
Emotional draw of forgotten spaces
Smith Brazill's fascination with abandoned spaces is rooted in her personal history and her lifelong curiosity about place and memory. Born into a military family, she grew up moving frequently and developed a strong sense of curiosity about the stories places hold.
"When I settled in Saskatchewan, I was struck by how much history was embedded in these seemingly empty prairies," she said. "Abandoned buildings, in particular, seemed to hold echoes of the lives and dreams of those who once inhabited them".
Each photograph represents more than a snapshot; it is a testament to the emotions these places evoke.
"Exploring these spaces often brings out a mix of emotions for me: nostalgia, a sense of peace and a bit of melancholy," she reflected. "There's a gentle reminder of impermanence in these abandoned structures, which brings a certain beauty and gravity to my work. Standing in these spaces, I feel grounded in a way that's hard to explain – it's like I'm temporarily transported back to a simpler time, one where the pace was slower, and life was intertwined with the land."
Smith Brazill sees her work as a way to preserve the memory of these places, especially as many structures are unlikely to remain standing much longer.
Sharing the journey on Chasing Yesterday
Smith Brazill's dedication to capturing forgotten spaces resonates strongly with her social media followers. Chasing Yesterday has become more than a photography page – it's a community where people share memories and stories of similar places.
"Many people from Saskatchewan – and even from beyond – share their own memories or connections to similar places," she said.
This shared appreciation, she believes, is what draws people to her work.
"There's a sense of collective memory in these forgotten spaces, and I think my page helps others reconnect with pieces of their own history."
Currently, Smith Brazill is sharing images from her Estevan trip on Chasing Yesterday, where each post draws her followers into the quiet beauty of southeast Saskatchewan. For many, her images offer a nostalgic reminder of Prairie life, connecting viewers to the stories and histories left behind in forgotten places.
"It's bittersweet knowing that many of these structures may not stand much longer, and I see my photographs as a way to preserve their stories. There’s also joy in discovering beauty where others might only see decay."
Her Estevan journey is just the latest chapter in her ongoing mission to preserve and share Saskatchewan's history, one photograph at a time. Through Chasing Yesterday, Smith Brazill continues to inspire her followers, encouraging them to reflect on the importance of "honouring our roots, even in the quietest, most forgotten corners of the prairie."
Chasing Yesterday has achieved considerable recognition internationally for the quality of its photos, and is regularly published on internationally-curated photography platforms. Chasing Yesterday photos have been featured on social media, as reference for artists, as book covers, and received accolades on numerous provincial, national and international photography contests and online platforms.
For more pictures, visit Chasing Yesterday's Facebook page or website. Smith Brazill also has calendars available through her social media page.
