The Weyburn Arts Council is looking forward to a year of evolution.

Christopher Borshowa, has seen many phases of the Weyburn Arts Council. As the newly elected vice-president of the Weyburn Arts Council board, he is looking forward to the upcoming phase.

"I would say evolution would be a really good descriptor for it. Not just for the board but for the arts community in Weyburn and local areas," he said.

Borshowa said the arts council has seen a huge turnaround in people, with younger artists submitting work and participating in events.

"I really think that's going to be a big presence in the future, not only this year but the years to come."

The Weyburn Arts Council held its annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday where Deanna Pierce-Colbow was elected for her second term as president of the board.

The board also has some new faces including Ashley Fisher and city council representative Brad Wheeler.

Borshowa added the evolution is more than just within the board.

"There's so much talent in Weyburn and surrounding areas and for a long time it wasn't the forefront of anything and it's really come out of the underground, like really quickly," he said.

This year, the board is working towards engaging with more youth from Weyburn and surrounding areas.

"Youth need some sort of inspiration. I think it's important for them to attach themselves to to something that they can feel good about whether it's arts, whether it's sports, whether it's whatever, seeing that interest from kids and from teenagers is really what's pushing it forward for us," Borshowa said.

Another main focus this year includes carrying out the Weyburn Arts Council's mission statement: to promote local artists and local art in every way possible.

Borshowa explained that one of the ways the board will fulfill this is through the Friends of the Arts Council.

"We've come to the conclusion that we are a limited number of people and some of the things that we have in store for the future require more than what can always be capable of doing, phyiscally, mentally, articially, so we're looking at the community we have this plethora of people to chose from who want to help us and why not make that happen."

The AGM was also a time to reflect on the year prior; social media was a huge component in a successful 2016 for the Weyburn Arts Council.

"It's just a really easy platform for us to not only share what we're doing, but promote the local artists better," Borshowa said.

This year's Weyburn Arts Council board members include:

  • President: Deanna Pierce-Colbow
  • Vice president: Christopher Borshowa
  • Secretary: Carol Reeve
  • Treasurer: Nicole Griffin
  • Members: Sandy Hanni, Jaren Bell, Linda Aitken, Amanda Payne, Ashley Fisher
  • Weyburn city councillor representative: Brad Wheeler