Have you ever wondered how arts groups decide who to bring in to perform and display? Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils(OSAC) hosts a Showcase each year of incredible talent from across Canada. Showcase is an opportunity for arts councils from across Saskatchewan, including Weyburn Concert Series and Weyburn Arts Council, to network, learn, and see some of the visual and performing arts available to them through OSAC. This year OSAC was celebrating 50 years of bringing arts to Saskatchewan through their many programs.

I attended for the third time this year. As always, I was amazed and overwhelmed by the incredible experience that is the OSAC Showcase. From the presentations and workshops to the art and performances, showcase never disappoints. My thoughts and a run-down of events for the weekend will be below. First though, I asked fellow Weyburn Concert Series and Weyburn Arts Council members to share their thoughts on Showcase 2018.

Weyburn Concert Series:

“I really enjoyed the conference, felt I learned several new things, and was very impressed by the Canadian talent we were so privileged to be entertained by! OSAC helps us come together as a provincial group of like-minded “artsy” people whose missions are to bring this high quality entertainment into our communities. I feel all the ladies of Weyburn Concert Series board are excited for what we have coming next season!” - Melissa Lebersback

“OSAC conference is a great way to stay in contact with other Arts Councils and to see some great Canadian Talent - visual art and Music! I really loved seeing the Saskatchewan based showcase acts!” - Bonnie Lillejord

“This year's OSAC Conference was unlike any other thanks to the added glitz and glam to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of OSAC. In a jam-packed weekend of entertainment, networking and collaboration there were a great number of things to celebrate. I look forward to continuing to work closely with OSAC in an effort to assist Weyburn Concert Series in bringing top-quality and diverse entertainment to the Opportunity City.” - Sara Nikolejsin

“The OSAC convention and Showcase performances are very valuable to us. It provides the opportunity to see a variety of artists' live performances. I believe we gather more information than if we merely view the artists on their websites. The post-performance exchange provides the opportunity to meet performers and/or their managers and ask questions that pertain to our specific audience and venue.

Booking through OSAC relieves a lot of the pressures of dealing with multiple groups and production companies. OSAC grants also make it possible for communities to bring in a variety of live performances.” - Judy Van Betuw

Weyburn Arts Council:

“I spent the weekend networking with other Arts Professionals, brainstorming programming ideas and learning what other councils around Saskatchewan have been up to. Lots of time was spent taking in the Visual Art Exhibitions, which offer a preview of what shows OSAC has put together to travel the province in the coming years. This resource is invaluable to Arts Councils, as individually they would not have the means or the connections to curate such shows, or be able to afford to do so. We also traveled to the Mackenzie Art Gallery to check out what is currently exhibiting; taking in an art show with other artists is wonderfully fulfilling.” - Regan Lanning

“I had the amazing opportunity to attend OSAC this weekend. Being new to the Weyburn Arts Council, I didn't quite understand all that my role here could bring to this community. Through learning experiences such as the Table Talks, I've walked away with so many new tools to be able to encourage and promote such a wide range of artist- from an experienced lifelong artist to a child who has never had access to the arts! Conferences such as OSAC are so vital to help Arts Councils best help their communities.” - Jessica Payette

“OSAC conference was just as great the second time for me, as the first. You get a strong dose of culture, entertainment, and artistic prowess. It’s inspiring to be privy to so much talent, and creativity. As an artist and community member, I’ve learned lots from the visual aspect as well as the workshops. I’m excited to implement these ideas into our own community and to continue to strive to make the arts in Weyburn prominent.” - Chris Borshowa

Thanks so much to all Weyburn Concert Series and Weyburn Arts Council members for sharing your experiences at Showcase 2018!

Showcase began on Friday with an Indiginous Presentation facilitated by Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan, Judy Harquail, Zoey Roy & Terrance Littletent. This was an incredible experience filled with open discussion on current and previous issues including cultural appropriation, cross-cultural collaboration, and the diversity in traditions of indiginous groups across Canada. We were asked to sit in a circle and, for the first part, we went around that circle each sharing our names, where we were from, and a positive experience we’ve had with an Indiginous person or cultural experience. One common thing mentioned by a few in the circle was that some felt they hadn’t had much exposure to Indiginous peoples. One of the facilitators told us that we probably have had more contact than we think, as many won’t self-identify as native. We discussed some of the other common themes as well.

Issues discussed throughout the workshop were truly brought to life during Terrance Littletent's part of the presentation. During his presentation, Terrance shared parts of the hoop dancing performances he has done across Canada. Terrance showed why it's important to consider cultural appropriation, especially on Halloween, by sharing why traditional garb should be respected. As he put on each piece he wears for his dances, Terrance explaned the meaning and significance of the symbols, colours, and even the order it is put on. Terrance then did a short version of the dance he performs, ending his part of the presentation by sharing the symbolism of some parts of the dance, which transitioned beautifully into a statement about the need to bridge the gap between cultures and peoples in Canada. If you ever get the chance to see Terrance Littletent perform I highly recommend doing so Terrance has most recently been doing an OSAC tour of the Hip Hop Hoop Dance with Chancz Perry.

The last part of the presentation asked questions of those in attendance about what we had learned and what we could do in the future to address issues raised during those discussions. It was an informative, touching, heartwarming, thought-provoking, eye-opening experience. I want to say a big thank you to everyone that made this workshop happen.

Throughout the weekend, there were multiple rooms open showing the Visual Arts Exhibitions that will be touring with OSAC's Arts on the Move Program. These exhibitions featured Barbara Goretzky: Diggers; I Do Not Have My Words: Joi Arcand, Catherine Blackburn, Audrey Dreaver; Sylvia Ziemann: Accidental Utopia; Geoff Phillips: Plantscapes of the Prairies; Jessica Richter and Waltraude; Stehwien: Scissor Cuts/Scherenschnitte; Vera Saltzman: O Human Child.

There were three performing arts presentations throughout the weekend at the Regina Performing Arts Centre. After each, there was a chance for delegates to meet the performers to interact, ask questions, and find out more about them.

Friday evening was the first performing arts showcase featured Jazz Affair, The Young Novelists, Christine Tassan et Les Imposteures, Don Amero, and The Johnny McCuaig Band.

Saturday afternoon showcase featured Diamond Girls, meagan&amy, Madison Violet, and Pharis & Jason Romero.

Saturday evening was the final performing arts presentation featured The Fitzgeralds, Earle and Coffin, Chris Funk The Wonderist, Randal Arsenault, and Blake Reid Band.

Throughout the event there were chances for councils to network, learn, ask questions, and discuss different subjects with workshops and sessions.

Friday was the Indigenous Presentation, which I mentioned above. Saturday was the OSAC AGM, Table Talk discussions about various topics, Youth Delegate Round Table discussions, the MacKenzie Art Gallery Tour, and a Lighting workshop. The morning wrapped up with a luncheon and volunteer recognition.

The OSAC 50th Anniversary Banquet happened Saturday night. Jeffery Straker was the MC during the banquet, cracking jokes as he introduced dignitaries and speakers throughout the evening. Thanks for the laughs Jeffery!

Sunday is both an easy and difficult day for councils as they wrap up showcase for another year. Groups must decide who they like from that year's Showcase! It's a pretty intense process deciding which artists fit into the series or year you are planning with many factors to consider including performance, venue, audience, and mandate of the group. After breakfast Sunday morning is the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Exchanges. Groups like Weyburn Concert Series and Weyburn Arts Council submit which artists they are interested in having perform or exhibit for the year they are booking. This is the first step in the process, which shifts and evolves as plans take shape for tours of each performer or exhibit. I can't say much about the Visual Arts aspect as I've never had the opportunity to attend that exchange, but I do know that Skip Taylor, Performing Arts Coordinator with OSAC, is the guy that makes it all happen for Performing Arts. He assists artists and councils in developing a tour and series that works for both parties. Thanks for all your hard work over the years, Skip!

I won't go into detail about discussions or decisions from OSAC Showcase 2018 as we never know what's going to work out and what won't. Take note of the names from Showcase, though... You'll probably be seeing some of them in the coming years!

Finally, I want to mention one amazing thing from this year's Showcase: in celebration of 50 Years, OSAC commissioned potter Jack Sures to make a limited number of bowls. Jack passed away earlier this year after finishing the commission, which made the presentation of the bowls all the more touching. Thank you for this, OSAC.

Jack Sures bowl

Thanks to everyone at OSAC for all the hard work you do in helping groups bring arts to our communities! Also, congratulations on 50 years OSAC! See you next year!