YORKTON — Regional creative talent is taking centre stage at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery for its annual public showcase.
The Members’ Show 2026 launched at the end of May and will remain open to visitors through June 27, giving the community an opportunity to view regional visual art.
The gallery's yearly fixture provides an open venue for artists of varying experience levels to display their recent works. Rather than adhering to a single theme, the collection highlights a diverse range of artistic styles and formats. Local creators are permitted to submit multiple distinct projects completed within the last three years, ensuring the gallery reflects contemporary efforts from the immediate area.
"I would say it's the busiest show of the year," said Stephanie Newsham, a member of the gallery's board of directors. "The opening reception is always packed because people come with their family members."
This year's roster brings together a mix of experienced regional professionals and fresh voices. Featured contributors include Val Morhart and Lynda Dawson representing the local Yorkton community, Chealsey Kriger from nearby Ebenezer, Cliff Barabash from Springside, and Jennifer Protsko.
According to Newsham, the 2026 event features a notable shift in the lineup of contributors, with a higher presence of first-time exhibitors than in past iterations. Among the participants is a local high school student, Chealsey Kriger who entered five paintings into the gallery. The exhibition also features new papier-mache work by Hannah Yokozawa, a nationally recognized artist from Saltcoats who incorporated natural items found along local trails into her pieces.
To support the facility during the exhibition, the gallery is running concurrent fundraising efforts, including three raffle baskets and a 50/50 draw. Tickets are being sold directly at the gallery and at Culture Fest, with a maximum of 1,000 tickets available for the 50/50 draw, yielding a potential top prize of $2,500.
Newsham explained that the money generated will go toward gallery programming. The institution aims to use the program funds to bring in creators for artist talks, as well as to host community art classes, painting workshops, and specialized children's sessions.
To foster experimentation, the gallery operates on a flexible submission format, welcoming any medium ready for installation.
The exhibition is hosted at 49 Smith St. E. Public access is free of charge. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Sundays.
