SNTC rings in the New Year with annual art auction

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The Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC) is offering up an evening filled with fine food, live entertainment and a chance to bid on works created by some of the country's most talented Aboriginal artists, during the third annual Expression Aboriginal Art Auction taking place at TCU Place in Saskatoon on Feb. 8.

The art viewing is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. During the viewing, the staff of TCU Place will be serving up a variety of cuisine, a wine tasting will be held and guitarist Ben Schenstead will provide entertainment for auction attendees.

The live auction is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., with the works of more than 40 artists to be auctioned off. The auction will features pieces by world-renowned artists such as Alex Janvier, Joane Cardinal Schubert and Maxine Noel, well-known Saskatchewan artists like Arnold Isbister, Neal McLeod, Lloyd Pinay and Dallas Poundmaker, and by some lesser known artists as well.

"That's part of what Sask Native Theatre does, is try to bring some recognition and promotion to those artists who are not as recognized as some of the key ones like Maxine Noel and Lloyd Pinay. They're well renowned and very well-known," SNTC general manager Donna Heimbecker said. "But not many people know about Christie Belcourt, for example, who's a Metis artist out of Ontario, but she does exceptional work and we're really pleased to have some of her work there."

Guest artist Dale Auger will be in attendance for the auction, which will also feature auctioneer Orest Murawsky and master of ceremonies Gordon Tootoosis.

"Gordon is also one of the founding directors for Sask Native Theatre," Heimbecker said. "He did emcee last year as well and he's with us again this year."

The previous two SNTC art auctions have been held to raise funds for the company's programs, but the money raised through this year's event will go toward Oski-Pimatisiwin-A New Life, the SNTC's capital campaign aimed at raising $5.3 million to renovate its Black Box Theatre and expand its facilities to include a bistro and arts club, a performing arts training centre and residence and a career management agency.

The capital campaign, launched by the SNTC in May 2006, is coming along slowly, Heimbecker said.

"Slow and steady wins the race, you know. And we're just trying to reach our goal in a timely manner because we'd like to have it up and running as soon as possible."

Heimbecker was hesitant to set a date by which renovations would be completed, but she hopes the company can be back in the renovated Black Box early in 2008.

In the meantime, the SNTC is working out of an alternate space in the Ukrainian Orthodox auditorium. The company is continuing to run its two training programs-the Circle of Voices youth empowerment skill development training program that will start up in April and run until November, and the ensemble theatre arts program already underway.

While the Expressions Aboriginal Art Auction is a fundraising event, the evening is about more than just raising money for the theatre company, Heimbacker said.

"It's really meant to bridge cultures, again, through the arts, and bring diverse cultures together, learn a little more about Aboriginal people through the visual arts."

Tickets for the Expression Aboriginal Art Auction are $35 each and corporate tables are also available.

For more information, call (306) 933-2262, e-mail the company at info@sntc.ca or visit the SNTC Web site at www.sntc.ca.