ASSINIBOIA — After two decades serving as office administrator for the Shurniak Art Gallery, Sandra Peutert has retired and Lana Larson has taken over the role.
Larson was born and raised in Yorkton and moved to the Assiniboia area a couple of years ago. She began at the Shurniak Art Gallery on Nov. 4, 2025, and officially took over for the retiring Peutert on Dec. 31, 2025.
While the gallery is managed by Jared Williams, who works in collaboration with the board of directors, Larson fills the role of administration and finance, the position vacated by Peutert’s retirement.
Larson said, “I am looking forward to my new position, working with the board, staff and volunteers to continue to make the gallery a place that people will feel free to visit frequently; connect, linger, relax, and enjoy the art from around the world.”
Larson also stated in response to the announcement on social media that she is grateful to Sandra for being an incredible mentor and said she looks forward to filling her big shoes, knowing she will be greatly missed.
The newly retired gallery administrator said, “When the gallery opened, I was hired as receptionist and personal assistant to the chairman and president, namely William Shurniak. I continued in this role until his passing in 2020, when my title changed to administration and finance, as I took on more financial responsibilities under the direction of the board.”
Peutert added, “The biggest changes over the past 20 years are that the Gallery is now a not-for-profit charitable organization that has to rely on fundraising, grants, and trusts for operations. Previously, Bill Shurniak funded everything.”
The former administration and finance lead said the highlight of working at the gallery was all the wonderful people she met, enabling her to visit with people from all over the world.
“People have come from near and far to check out our Gallery because someone told them about it, and said you have to go to Assiniboia and see it. You won't believe how good it is.”
Living on a farm southwest of Assiniboia, Peutert said she will be staying there and continuing to farm in her retirement.
The Shurniak Art Gallery in Assiniboia is a vibrant hub of cultural activity in the agricultural area of southern Saskatchewan. Courtesy of the Shurniak Art Gallery.
The Shurniak Art Gallery was officially opened to the public on July 30, 2005, by Linda Haverstock, then lieutenant-governor of Saskatchewan. The gallery is the vision of William (Bill) Shurniak, who was born and grew up in neighbouring Limerick, Sask. The gallery houses his extensive private art collection from Canada and around the world.
The gallery is dedicated in memory of Bill Shurniak’s parents, John and Anna Shurniak, and the scores of people of their generation who settled in southern Saskatchewan. Their portrait is displayed above the fireplace in the Old Post Room.
