About EDAC

(click on small picture to view larger version)

We officially became the Esterhazy and District Arts Council in September of 2003.

Our first official event was an adjudicated art show in October of 2004. The winner was Helen Solmes. We set up an art display and entered a float into the parade for the Provincial Centennial celebrations in 2005. We also facilitated a mentored photography field trip in June of 2005 and had our second adjudicated art show on September 25, 2005. The Adjudicator's Choice Award for this show went to Jocelyn Duchek.

In February of 2006, we hosted our first provincial art exhibition entitled "You Are Here." We ran our first performing art show with Thomas Roussin in May of 2006 and had two open mic shows in June and October of that year. We had an adjudicated art show on October 1, 2006, which also included a drawing work-shop along with the art show. This was our third annual Autumn Skies show and was won by Elise Dunster.

In 2007 we hosted "Survivors," our second provincial art show. We were fortunate to have Martha Cole, the artist, here as an artist-in-residence for four days at that time, and she ran a photo transfer workshop (with the local quilting club) and a pencil drawing workshop with the art exhibition. We hosted two performing art shows that year - Jeff Straker in April and Prairie Blend in October.

In 2008, we hosted two provincial art exhibitions: "Untie the Spirit" in March and "Tattoo" in November. We hosted a performing art show with blues singer and songwriter Morgan Davis on April 3. In September, we had our annual Autumn Skies art show, this year unadjudicated. We also ran a "Professional issues workshop" given by Crystal Howie, the then artist-in-residence in Esterhazy, along with the art show. The People's Choice Award for this show went to Jocelyn Duchek for her Acrylic on Canvas painting "Green Essence." This year also saw an ongoing art display set up at the Esterhazy Medical Clinic, which is presented and maintained by EDAC.

In 2009, we showcased the Harvard Zavedosky art show. This was the first time we have developed and presented a show on our own, with Helen Solmes as the curator of the show. As well, we were part of PRADO, a joint adjudicated art show with the Melville and Yorkton Art Councils, which was an unqualified success.

A Cultural Festival of Fine Wine and Art was held on October 24, 2009 at the S.N. Boreen Community Centre. This festival was a joint effort of the Lions Club of Esterhazy, the Esterhazy & District Arts Council, and the Esterhazy Community Daycare Cooperative, combining the bi-annual wine fest as the Lions' fall fund-raiser for charity and the annual EDAC art show, formerly billed as Autumn Skies. The theme for the wine-tasting portion of the festival was wines from around the world. All proceeds from all events at the festival went to the new Esterhazy Community Daycare Cooperative.

The art portion of the show featured the work of over 20 artists who exhibited just over 140 works of art. Here is the list of artists: Tracey Anderson, Rebecca Ashton, Marie Baker, Carey Benna, Dannette Brown, Jocelyn Duchek, Elise Dunster, Renee Fundytus, Tim Fundytus, Cindy Gillespie, Alyssa Giroux, Arleen Gray (writing as Arleen Brenner), Juanita Heembrock, Audrey Johnson, Sandra Bell Kirchman, Hana Mrazova, Joyce Rausch, Helen Solmes, Marolyn Tocher, Rebecca Wilkinson, John Wilson, Judith Wilson, (the late) Harvard Zavedosky, The 2009 People's Choice Award for best artwork went to Rebecca Ashton of Moose Jaw for her beautiful offering of wire bonsai sculptures.

This event was a wonderful success with nearly 300 people attending. Because of its popularity with organizers and the general public, discussions are going forward to do it again in 2010.

The first weekend of February 2010 saw the hugely successful Portrait Painting Workshop conducted by Ward Schell in Esterhazy and hosted by EDAC. With full registration and a rapt and talented bunch of participants, the workshop was deemed to be so enjoyable and helpful that Ward was invited back in February of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. It looks like a go for all five years. Details will be posted closer to the time of each workshop. The focus of the workshops will change from year to year, but the quality can only get better.

EDAC board member Juanita Heembrock instructed 20 Macdonald School children, Grades 8 and 9) in the use of different colours in her Bright Colours Art Program, Mar 1-5, 2010. The children got to mix their own paints and experiment with colour in the painting. On the last day, Juanita explained to the children about how adjudication of art shows worked, and the children took turns adjudicating each others paintings. These paintings will be exhibited at the Fall Winefest and Art Show in October, 2010.

The B-Boy Demonstration and Dance Workshop made sure the performing arts was represented on March 6, 2010. Flipped Out Crew from Regina travelled to Esterhazy and gave an absolutely brilliant demonstration of what this hip-hop derivative can do. EDAC members Helen Bolen and Emelie Forester were there helping with admission and welcoming; they reported the event was lively and fun, and the children attending had a good time.

Our Board Members
President - Pat Arndt
Secretary-Treasurer - Lorie Jackson
Promotion and Public Relations Chairperson - the executive board as a whole
Visual Arts Chairperson - Jocelyn Duchek
Literary Arts Chairperson - Arleen Gray (writing as Arleen Brenner)
Performing Arts Chairperson - Sandra Bell Kirchman
General Executive Members - Helen Solmes, Juanita Heembrock, Helen Bolen
Members at Large - Cassandra Scheier, Emelie Forester, Elise Dunster,
Louise Duchek, Ailsa Leftwich, Audrey Johnson, Colleen Monahan