SHAUNAVON — Shaunavon Arts Council will be hosting two performances in March and April and there is a strong possibility that 2025 will be their final curtain call.
“We’ve had difficulty recruiting audience members and volunteers over the past several years. Combined with the impact of the pandemic, our current group of volunteers has decided to step back following our April 4 performance,” explains Kathy Collins, arts council president.
There would be opportunity for others to step forward to take on the performing arts portion as the organization won’t dissolve immediately. Collins explains, “We do have a relationship with the Grand Coteau Heritage & Cultural Centre who presents the visual arts exhibitions that are available through the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils’ (OSAC) ‘Arts on the Move’ program. And, school performances may still be brought in by local schools through OSAC’s touring school artists. However, the Stars for Saskatchewan concert series that has been offered in the community since 1977 is in jeopardy unless an entire new slate of board members and officers step forward in a really committed way.” She adds, “It’s really so sad, but this is the reality.”
The group is hosting classical musicians Prairie Sons on March 10 and Burnt Thicket Theatre’s theatrical performance, Every Brilliant Thing, on April 4. Tickets for the performances are $30 each at the door, or patrons can purchase a ticket pack (one for each concert) for $50, in advance at the Grand Coteau Heritage & Cultural Centre. Students 18 and under are free to attend. High school students will be able to see Every Brilliant Thing, courtesy of Eastend Arts Council which is organizing a school performance on April 4 for high school students from the region.
Prairie Sons performs on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Darkhorse Theatre (formerly Centre Street United Church) and they are also hoping to perform for local schools during March. The classical piano and violin duo is touring with Prairie Debut, a touring organization that organizes classical and world music artist tours across the Prairie provinces.
Collins emphasizes that the Shaunavon Arts Council has played a wonderful role in the community for almost 50 years.
“We’ve had so many unique opportunities throughout the years to bring world-class performances to the community: Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Globe Theatre, Regina Symphony Orchestra and well-known names like Valdy and Connie Kaldor. It’s so sad that it seems unsustainable at this point for us to continue. We are definitely planning a nice send-off for all of our volunteers and audience, past and present, following the April 4 performance.”
