Art Guild planning year full of artistic adventures with members

The Moose Jaw Art Guild has been celebrating the talents of Moose Jaw artists for over 90 years, and this year they have just as many exciting opportunities planned for their members. 

With roots all the way back in 1929, the Art Guild was originally formed as a group for women and became a mainstay in the fabric of Moose Jaw society. 

“When these ladies back then used to get together to paint or even have tea and look at their artwork, it was always in the social columns in the newspapers,” said Karen Walpole, the guild’s current president. “When they had art shows back then, . . . it was more than an art show. There would be a beautiful dinner, dancing, maybe even a fashion show.”

Throughout its evolution, the Art Guild has expanded its horizons — to include men, for starters, as well as to welcome more artists than just painters and to expand on the types of opportunities it offers to members.

In the past few years, the guild has shifted its monthly meetings from discussing Guild business to creative workshops and discussions about art. 

“We decided that we were more interested in learning about art,” said Walpole. “We try to come out with something new and adventurous every month for our program meetings, to be of interest to our members.”

Once a month, the Guild plans a special workshop or meeting focusing on a specific interest related to art, such as a technique, famous work, or specific medium. 

In February, the special meeting will focus on member’s collectible items, discussing how things of the past have an artistic element of their own. Members are invited to bring two or three of their own items, like ancestors’ medals or other collectibles, to the Collector’s Afternoon on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m.

The Guild also meets every Friday afternoon at the Royal Canadian Legion from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Creative Fridays, a drop-in session where artists can bring their current work-in-progress and work alongside other artists. 

“It's always a fun afternoon, educational too at times, to just be with people that are like-minded like yourself, that like art,” said Walpole.

The Art Guild also has opportunities for its members to show and sell their work, with two annual shows — one in the spring and one in the fall — and an ongoing partnership with the Uptown Cafe to display artwork all year round.

“We've been there for close to 40 years and they have been awesome to provide a place for our exhibit,” said Walpole.

They also take part in ParkArt each summer, and organize art retreats and field trips of interest throughout the year for members. Walpole even teased the possibility of a pop-up art show in the works for this year. 

Each year the Art Guild also makes an effort to encourage young artists, offering a scholarship to a grade nine art student at each of the high schools in Moose Jaw.  

Walpole reported the Art Guild had 16 members as of the 2020 Annual General Meeting and hopes to see more artists taking an interest in the coming year. 

“Whatever catches your interest in art and whether you're just starting to express yourself freely or you are established, our membership is open for everyone,” said Walpole.

Yearly membership with the Art Guild is $25 for an adult and $15 for youth and can be obtained at any of the Art Guild’s meetings throughout the year. The Guild meets at the Legion for all their meetings, and regularly posts things of interest on their Facebook page.

The Guild’s door is always open to visitors and new members, said Walpole. 

“The more members that we have, the more ideas and the more we learn, just to stay green and growing,” said Walpole. “The Guild is a great place to meet, share and show what you do with like-minded people.”