Finding Wonderland: Artist unveils new exhibition at Woodlawn park

ESTEVAN — Beautiful and intriguing Alice in Wonderland motifs now can be found in the Estevan area.

Local artist Bethany Dittmann introduced her latest exhibition Finding Wonderland on June 14 at Woodlawn Regional Park. As part of an artist's meet and greet, she walked the park with guests, talking about her creations, explaining the techniques and sharing stories. 

Finding Wonderland is a part of Inside Out, the ongoing collaboration between the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) and Woodlawn. Inside Out, now in its fourth year, is a series of outdoor art exhibits that explore new ways of sharing art with the world outside the traditional gallery walls.

Dittmann's Finding Wonderland showcases four Alice in Wonderland-inspired artworks hidden around the park's campgrounds, with each piece exploring different artistic mediums while reflecting on the classic story by Lewis Carroll.

EAGM director and curator Tye Dandridge-Evancio opened the event, expressing excitement for the exhibition.

"We are thrilled to bring this unique exhibition to the park," said Dandridge-Evancio. "Finding Wonderland is not just about viewing art but about exploring and discovering it in unexpected places."

Dittmann provided insights into her creative process and inspirations behind each selection during the tour.

"There are four pieces spread out throughout the park, all inspired by different parts or characters of the Alice in Wonderland story," she explained. "The idea of finding art outside where you might not expect it was a big part of this project."

Each display includes a piece of text from the Alice in Wonderland story. The exhibition features diverse artworks.

One of the displays, called Unbirthday, showcases teacups and a saucer, each decorated with intricate designs inspired by the Mad Hatter's tea party. Dittmann said that display was the most difficult for her to create due to the unique medium.

"I used a ceramic and multi-surface pen to create these images, working from light to dark to build the designs," Dittmann said.

Another highlight of the exhibition is a mobile titled Curiouser and Curiouser, featuring objects like keys, a watch and a dried flower, all referencing key elements of Carroll's story.

"I wanted each element to connect with the story, making it clear and recognizable," Dittmann said.

A display along the road to the TS&M Golf Course called Rabbit Hole features pages from the Alice in Wonderland book with character sketches on them. The fourth display, located at the campground and called Mad Hat, exhibits a 3-D Hatter's Hat, inspired by Tim Burton's interpretation of the classic plot.

Event participants noted the significance of displaying art in non-traditional space, where the environment adds a new dimension to artworks, making the experience of discovering each piece truly magical.

Dittmann has been calling Estevan home for the past year. She has enjoyed moving back to Saskatchewan and finding ample creative opportunities to connect with. A visual artist, lover of theatre and storytelling, she loves when creative fields overlap. Connecting stories through visual art is a passion of Dittmann's, her artist statement says.

Dittmann has lived in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Minnesota, and all these landscapes have inspired her artwork. Between the three regions, her artwork has been showcased in group art shows, including in art galleries, art auctions, art markets and art showcases and bars. She loves finding the beauty in everyday life that is often overlooked. Dittmann works with mediums including acrylic, watercolour, graphite, ink pot and mixed media.

Finding Neverland will be on display throughout the summer.

For more information on upcoming exhibits and events, visit the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum website.