Announcing the Guest Curator for the 49th Annual Winter Festival Art Show & Sale: Monique Martin!

We are thrilled to announce that the guest curator for the 2025 Winter Festival Art Show & Sale will be

none other than Monique Martin, an internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Monique’s eco-conscious artwork has been exhibited across the globe in solo, invited, and juried exhibitions. Her pieces are housed in prestigious collections such as the Royal Alberta Museum. With over 25 years of experience, Monique brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to this year’s Winter Festival exhibition.

The Role of a Curator: Shaping the Exhibition

The curator plays a vital role in shaping an exhibition. But what does that really mean? Curators are the creative visionaries behind the scenes of art shows, responsible for selecting the works that will be featured and creating a cohesive narrative throughout the exhibition. They often consider thematic elements, the visual dialogue between pieces, and how the artworks resonate with the community.

A curator's job doesn’t stop at picking art pieces—it involves extensive research, an understanding of art history, and a connection with the artists themselves. Curators interpret artworks and present them in ways that foster understanding, provoke thought, and engage the audience. The decisions they make can elevate a collection of individual artworks into a powerful, cohesive experience for viewers.

Why a Guest Curator?

Each year, the Winter Festival Art Show & Sale invites a guest curator to bring a fresh perspective to the exhibition. The role of a guest curator is particularly significant for an event like this, which showcases hundreds of pieces by emerging and established artists from across Saskatchewan. By inviting a different guest curator each year, the festival benefits from new insights, ideas, and curatorial expertise, ensuring that each exhibition has a unique flavor.

A guest curator like Monique Martin brings a wealth of international experience and a fresh set of eyes. Her ability to see both the artistic intent and the broader social impact of a piece ensures that this year’s Winter Festival will be thoughtfully curated, resonating with both artists and the audience. Guest curators also play an essential role in selecting the award winners for the exhibition, recognizing excellence and innovation in our local art community.

The Winter Festival Art Show & Sale: A Tradition of Artistic Excellence

The Winter Festival Art Show & Sale is northern Saskatchewan’s premier community art event. Each year, this highly-anticipated exhibition showcases the incredible artistic production happening in our province. Emerging and professional artists alike have the opportunity to display their work, making this exhibition a vibrant mix of styles, mediums, and expressions.

In addition to the exhibition itself, the Winter Festival is known for its exciting gala opening reception, where award winners are announced, followed by a curatorial walk-through and talk the next day. This in-depth exploration of the artworks, led by the guest curator, offers visitors a unique opportunity to gain insights into the artworks and the curatorial process behind the show.

Ready to Participate?

If you’re an artist, now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want to submit to the 2025 Winter Festival Art Show & Sale. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an emerging artist, this is an excellent opportunity to have your work seen by a broad audience and potentially be recognized with an award. All details and submission guidelines can be found on our website HERE.

Stay tuned for updates as we prepare for another incredible year of artistic excellence at the Mann Art Gallery!