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NORTH BATTLEFORD ‑ Allen Sapp Gallery and the Chapel Gallery in North Battleford are offering a full slate of exhibitions and other experiences over the winter.

A newly installed exhibition at The Chapel Gallery is Confluent Dreams. It is a convergence of visual stories inspired by nature, dreams and transformation conveyed by artists Birgit Lessing, Holly Hildebrand, Oriol Dancer and Sherron Burns. It runs until Jan. 9.

The exhibit will be celebrated with a matinee reception Nov. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. with the artists in attendance. Special activities and performances will include an interactive community dreamscape activity, Cranky Theatre production and musical performances by Raven She Hollers.

Youth ages nine and older who have taken part in “Introductory Sewing for Youth” are invited to participate in a Christmas house sewing project Dec. 2 and 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Cost of the program is $40. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own festive plush Christmas house while flexing their creative minds and building on their sewing skills.

Allen Sapp Gallery and Chief Poundmaker Museum have partnered together to assemble Contemporary Art from the River People, which features works by artists whose homelands are near Battle River and the North Saskatchewan River. Visit the lower level of the Allen Sapp Gallery Wednesday to Sunday from noon until 4 p.m.

Also coming to the lower level of the gallery is the December art market. Working in conjunction with the River People display, the gallery invites interested vendors to contact [email protected]. The market will be expanded to the main gallery Dec. 8 to 10.

A display of work by members of the River's Edge Quilt Guild will be opening Jan. 26 at the Chapel Gallery.

Free events and other programming for all ages will be offered during Wintertainment 2022 Feb. 22 to 26.

A consultation to gauge interest in hosting an arts festival drew 15 people to two sessions. Additional feedback was received via email and telephone calls. Initial plans are to host a small interdisciplinary arts festival in April 2022 at the Don Ross Centre, which may also branch off to the town of Battleford. Discussion and planning will resume in January. Visual artists should plan to submit one to two pieces of art for an exhibition during the festival.

Some smaller arts festivals were also suggested, and gallery staff will undertake the work to support those events in the future. Such events include garden art tours, studio tours and possibly art in the park. There is a continued interest in establishing a Nuit Blanche event, which will take more consideration and time to develop.

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these events, or wish to participate and help facilitate, please contact me at [email protected].

Future plans include the gallery members' 2022 exhibition. Gallery staff invite artists to submit work in July. A guest curator is to be announced. Members may submit one to two pieces of original artwork not previously shown.