EASTEND ARTS COUNCIL NEWSLETTERVOLUME 1,NUMBER 3March 1st, 2010Introduction2009 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Eastend Arts Council.Much has been accomplished since our inception.We would like to take this opportunity to update our loyal supporters and to inform new friends of our mandate and activities.BackgroundIn the fall of 1978 a committee including Sharon Butala met with the Executive Director of the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils. From direction gained at this meeting the Eastend Arts Council came into being.The mandate of the EAC is to bring the Arts to the children and adults of Eastend and region and to support local artists.In 1986 a group of dedicated and public spirited Eastenders formed the Wallace Stegner House Committee. This Committee negotiated the acquisition of the house which was the boyhood home of Pulitzer prize winning author Wallace Stegner. Through the continuing efforts of this group the house received Heritage status, making it eligible for a variety of grants. At this juncture the Wallace Stegner House Committee became part of the Eastend Arts Council and through the hard work of these combined forces and much community help, the house was lovingly and painstakingly restored.It has been operated as a residence for artists since that time.The Structure of the Present Eastend Arts CouncilToday the Eastend Arts Council continues in the spirit in which it was conceived.A number of sub-committees oversees the business of the Council. These committees include: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Stegner House, Wallace Stegner House Grant for the Arts and the Wallace Stegner Scholarship, Stegner House Dinner, and the Wallace Stegner House Legacy Fund.Responsibilities of Individual CommitteesVisual Arts CommitteeThis committee informs the general membership of the work of local artists and makes known visual arts endeavours to which the Council can lend support. Examples are painting and sketching workshops, the street banner Centennial Project, the Southwest Quest and the Pottery Guild. Bi-annually the Arts Council hosts the Southwest Arts Show. Performing Arts CommitteeThis committee arranges performances of music, dance, theatre, and spoken word.The community is so lucky to have access to a first rate facility in the T Rex Discovery Centre Theatre.This committee also spearheads the annual engagement of the Missoula Childrens’ Theatre. MCT is an organization based in Missoula, Montana which sends out teams of aspiring young theatre students . In the time frame of one week, they audition and select performers from the school population, rehearse and at the end of the week produce two performances for the community. The Stegner House CommitteeThe Stegner House Committee oversees the operation of the house. This committee reviews applications for residence and books time slots. There is a set of criteria that successful applicants must meet. The house is advertized on the Web and in several literary publicatons.This committee organizes Open Houses and readings by current Stegner House residents and also the yard work and the maintenance of the house.The Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts and Scholarship CommitteeThis group reviews applications for the annual Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts award, which consists of one month’s free residence to the winning writer, with some obligation for school and community involvement attached.The Wallace Stegner Scholarship is offered on an annual basis to a graduating student at Eastend High School whose submitted composition is chosen by the committee.The Stegner House Dinner CommitteeThis committee is responsible for planning the annual dinner which is the major fundraiser for the maintenance of the house. This event is held at the end of February/beginning of March.The intention is to provide a special evening of quality entertainment and fine dining.The Wallace Stegner House Legacy Fund CommitteeThis relatively new committee is charged with establishing a capital fund, the interest from which will ensure the operation and upkeep of the house in perpetuity.IN CONCLUSIONThese committees are not stand alone entities. All the membership pitches in with all chores when required.Other committees include membership, newsletter, lunch, and official photographer.In addition to these projects the Eastend Arts Council membership runs other community based fund raisers such as yard sales and raffles and runs a collection box for returnable bottles.For the last two years the Eastend Arts Council has been a member of the South West Quest, an Arts and History summer tour weekend, during which the Stegner House is open for visitors.The Eastend Arts Council is a member and supporter of both the Moose Jaw Festival of Words and the Shaunavon Arts Council.It is this sense of co-operation, generosity and common goal which have contributed to our enduring success.2009 IN REVIEWMARCH THE STEGNER HOUSE DINNEROur original guest speaker for this evening was to have been the Saskatchewan photographer Courtney Milne. Just a few days before the Dinner Mr. Milne was forced to cancel due to medical necessity. We were lucky in being able to engage Barry Easton, another Saskatchewan photographer whose most recent work is the photography in a newly published book Legacy of Stone, The Stone Buildings of Saskatchewan.Musical Entertainment was provided by Scott Lawson Pomeroy a singer/songwriter from Springfield Massachusetts who is very interested in Wallace Stegner.JUNE THE WALLACE STEGNER SCHOLARSHIPAgain we received a number of interesting and original applications from members of the Eastend High School’s graduating class. As usual , it was a difficult choice. Joni Alexander was the winner of the $400 award which will go toward her further studies.JULY THE DINO DAYS PARADEThe Arts Council Float advertised the upcoming Missoula production of The Princess and the Pea. Our fetching Princess reclined in a four poster bed upon a cushion of a dozen mattresses in the back of a Dodge pick-up.OCTOBER WALLACE STEGNER GRANT FOR THE ARTSThis year’s recipient was Nanci Lee, a poet from Halifax, Nova Scotia.Nanci was the winner of the 2009 CBC Halifax Poetry Face off. During her stay Nanci gave a wonderful public reading and conducted 2 inspiring workshops at the school.NOVEMBER MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATREThe Princess and the Pea was a resounding success, much enjoyed by the public, the parents and the enthusiastic actors.To Contact us click here
EASTEND ARTS COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 1,NUMBER 3
March 1st, 2010
Introduction
2009 marks the 22nd anniversary of the Eastend Arts Council.
Much has been accomplished since our inception.
We would like to take this opportunity to update our loyal supporters and to inform new friends of our mandate and
activities.
Background
In the fall of 1978 a committee including Sharon Butala met with the Executive Director of the Organization of
Saskatchewan Arts Councils. From direction gained at this meeting the Eastend Arts Council came into being.
The mandate of the EAC is to bring the Arts to the children and adults of Eastend and region and to support local
artists.
In 1986 a group of dedicated and public spirited Eastenders formed the Wallace Stegner House Committee. This
Committee negotiated the acquisition of the house which was the boyhood home of Pulitzer prize winning author
Wallace Stegner. Through the continuing efforts of this group the house received Heritage status, making it eligible
for a variety of grants. At this juncture the Wallace Stegner House Committee became part of the Eastend Arts
Council and through the hard work of these combined forces and much community help, the house was lovingly and
painstakingly restored.
It has been operated as a residence for artists since that time.
The Structure of the Present Eastend Arts Council
Today the Eastend Arts Council continues in the spirit in which it was conceived.
A number of sub-committees oversees the business of the Council. These committees include: Visual Arts,
Performing Arts, Stegner House, Wallace Stegner House Grant for the Arts and the Wallace Stegner Scholarship,
Stegner House Dinner, and the Wallace Stegner House Legacy Fund.
Responsibilities of Individual Committees
Visual Arts Committee
This committee informs the general membership of the work of local artists and makes known visual arts endeavours
to which the Council can lend support. Examples are painting and sketching workshops, the street banner
Centennial Project, the Southwest Quest and the Pottery Guild. Bi-annually the Arts Council hosts the Southwest Arts
Show.
Performing Arts Committee
This committee arranges performances of music, dance, theatre, and spoken word.
The community is so lucky to have access to a first rate facility in the T Rex Discovery Centre Theatre.
This committee also spearheads the annual engagement of the Missoula Childrens’ Theatre. MCT is an organization
based in Missoula, Montana which sends out teams of aspiring young theatre students . In the time frame of one
week, they audition and select performers from the school population, rehearse and at the end of the week produce
two performances for the community.
The Stegner House Committee
The Stegner House Committee oversees the operation of the house.
This committee reviews applications for residence and books time slots. There is a set of criteria that successful
applicants must meet. The house is advertized on the Web and in several literary publicatons.
This committee organizes Open Houses and readings by current Stegner House residents and also the yard work
and the maintenance of the house.
The Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts and Scholarship Committee
This group reviews applications for the annual Wallace Stegner Grant for the Arts award, which consists of one
month’s free residence to the winning writer, with some obligation for school and community involvement attached.
The Wallace Stegner Scholarship is offered on an annual basis to a graduating student at Eastend High School
whose submitted composition is chosen by the committee.
The Stegner House Dinner Committee
This committee is responsible for planning the annual dinner which is the major fundraiser for the maintenance of the
house. This event is held at the end of February/beginning of March.
The intention is to provide a special evening of quality entertainment and fine dining.
The Wallace Stegner House Legacy Fund Committee
This relatively new committee is charged with establishing a capital fund, the interest from which will ensure the
operation and upkeep of the house in perpetuity.
IN CONCLUSION
These committees are not stand alone entities. All the membership pitches in with all chores when required.
Other committees include membership, newsletter, lunch, and official photographer.
In addition to these projects the Eastend Arts Council membership runs other community based fund raisers such as
yard sales and raffles and runs a collection box for returnable bottles.
For the last two years the Eastend Arts Council has been a member of the South West Quest, an Arts and History
summer tour weekend, during which the Stegner House is open for visitors.
The Eastend Arts Council is a member and supporter of both the Moose Jaw Festival of Words and the Shaunavon
Arts Council.
It is this sense of co-operation, generosity and common goal which have contributed to our enduring success.
2009 IN REVIEW
MARCH THE STEGNER HOUSE DINNER
Our original guest speaker for this evening was to have been the Saskatchewan photographer Courtney Milne. Just a
few days before the Dinner Mr. Milne was forced to cancel due to medical necessity. We were lucky in being able to
engage Barry Easton, another Saskatchewan photographer whose most recent work is the photography in a newly
published book Legacy of Stone, The Stone Buildings of Saskatchewan.
Musical Entertainment was provided by Scott Lawson Pomeroy a singer/songwriter from Springfield Massachusetts
who is very interested in Wallace Stegner.
JUNE THE WALLACE STEGNER SCHOLARSHIP
Again we received a number of interesting and original applications from members of the Eastend High School’s
graduating class. As usual , it was a difficult choice. Joni Alexander was the winner of the $400 award which will go
toward her further studies.
JULY THE DINO DAYS PARADE
The Arts Council Float advertised the upcoming Missoula production of The Princess and the Pea. Our fetching
Princess reclined in a four poster bed upon a cushion of a dozen mattresses in the back of a Dodge pick-up.
OCTOBER
WALLACE STEGNER GRANT FOR THE ARTS
This year’s recipient was Nanci Lee, a poet from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Nanci was the winner of the 2009 CBC Halifax Poetry Face off. During her stay Nanci gave a wonderful public
reading and conducted 2 inspiring workshops at the school.
NOVEMBER MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE
The Princess and the Pea was a resounding success, much enjoyed by the public, the parents and the enthusiastic
actors.
To Contact us click here
