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Dorion helping a moss bag workshop student, April 2021
About our Residencies
The Mann Art Gallery (Mann) launched an Artist in Residence Program in 2019. This gives the gallery a unique channel of creativity, original community engagement, and grants the opportunity for the artist to grow in their artistic practice. Artist in residence programs give artists the opportunity to live and work outside of their usual environments, providing them with time to reflect, research, or produce work. During a residency, artists can explore new locations, take on community leadership roles, and experiment with a variety of materials. On behalf on the Mann Art Gallery we would like to thank all of our sponsors for making these opportunities happen.
About the Leah Marie Dorion Residency
The Mann launched an ongoing artist in residence-workshop series with local Métis artist and Knowledge-Keeper Leah Marie Dorion. Leah's work continues in resulting in great success with community-based programming. In 2019-2020, the Mann Art Gallery and Leah held workshops on Métis Moss Bags, Plains Style Métis Ribbon Skirts and a writing workshop with the Saskatchewan's Writer Guild. In June 2020 the Intergenerational Métis Artist Program started between Leah Dorion, Danielle Castle and the Mann Art Gallery. Through the artist in residence program Leah is able to explore one-on-one mentorship and her public art-making practice; Danielle is able to learn practical skills in addition to being mentored in an artistic and cultural way; and the Mann Art Gallery is able to support Indigenous art-making and art engagement for the community in a safe way during the pandemic. Together, Leah and Danielle, installed 5 temporary outdoor installations in the city of Prince Albert over the summer months of 2020.
About Leah
Leah Marie Dorion is an interdisciplinary Métis artist raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. A teacher, painter, filmmaker and published writer, Leah views her Metis heritage as providing her with a unique bridge for knowledge between all people. Leah holds a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts degree. She has numerous creative projects to her credit, including academic papers for the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples, books for children, gallery showings of her art works, and numerous video documentaries that showcase Metis culture and history. Leah’s paintings honour the spiritual strength of Aboriginal women and the sacred feminine. Leah believes that women play a key role in passing on vital knowledge for all of humanity which is deeply reflected in her artistic practice. She believes women are the first teachers to the next generation.
