Sheila Orr's artwork Returning Tainted Gifts, 1999, was recently donated to SK Arts' Permanent Collection by the estate of Orr’s friend and former co-worker, Carolyn Cardinal. The mixed-media work captures Orr's signature dreamscape vision style and consists of a miniature bark canoe – anchored by bear claws – that is filled with stacks of bound wool blankets. The canoe is floating in front of a painted aerial view of Canada's east coast. The artwork was conserved to remove dust, dirt and smoke residue upon donation before being placed in a protective custom-built Plexiglas box and frame, a process that took almost two years.
Julia Krueger, Registrar at SK Arts, says the piece is an excellent example of Orr's aesthetic as she is known for incorporating various materials within a single work.
If you asked a group of rural students what an artist is, you might get many different answers. “‘Artist’ can be a vague idea to students—something we see in movies or in books, but not often in real life in a small town,” says Deadra Oblander, a teacher at Bulyea Elementary School. Fortunately, students in the community recently had the opportunity to work with Regina artist Shaunna Dunn on a special project funded by an Artists in Schools—Projects Grant from SK Arts.
“The project allowed students to work with a practicing artist and develop their creative skills. Shaunna’s answers and methods were different than those of ‘regular’ teachers, which allowed students to learn and develop in new ways,” says Oblander.
REGINA, SK – May 20, 2026 — SK Arts announced today that starting in 2027, the organization will recognize and celebrate Saskatchewan artists with a Lifetime Achievement Award honouring outstanding contributions to the province’s arts and cultural landscape. CEO Lisa Bird-Wilson shared the agency’s plans to execute a new vision to celebrate excellence, cultural impact and creative leadership across Saskatchewan.
“Saskatchewan is home to extraordinary creative talent,” said Bird-Wilson in a statement. “We want to ensure artists at every stage of their careers are celebrated in meaningful and lasting ways, and that emerging artists have something to look forward to.”
