Red Chair Project: Station Arts Centre

The Station Arts Centre in Rosthern, SK developed the Red Chair Project as a way to stay connected to their community during the summer of 2021 and the height of the pandemic. Ten artists and thirty sitters applied to participate in the project and all were accepted. The artists included Indigenous, Métis, and non-Indigenous artists of all ages and genders.  The sitters included community members from Rosthern, Beardy's & Okemasis' Cree Nation, and Fish Creek area, and were also of all ages and genders. 

Ten painting stations with red chairs were set up outdoors at the Rosthern Farmers' Market where the community was bustling with activity. 

"It was exciting to have so many local community members sitting and visiting with artists while their portraits were being painted. The artist stations in combination with the farmer's market gave our community a real festival feel; something uplifting after such a difficult year. This project was designed to be a mural project that was a celebration of community. It was intended to bring people together in a safe way - which it did. Artists became friends with their subjects and got to know one another in the process. We ended up with 30 portraits that now belong to the Station and these will be exhibited in public spaces as well as online... It made our town feel like the place to be; a cultural hub and vibrant community.  It seemed like for participants, they felt special; like they were being included, appreciated and really seen as an important part of this community."- Station Arts Centre program grant report

The Station Arts Centre utilized the OSAC Visual Arts Program Grant as well as partnerships with the local Farmers' Market, Floral Shop, and funding from Sask Lotteries and the Prairie River Reconciliation Committee. This programming is also an excellent example of how to participate in the Inspire Program: 

"I really enjoyed every aspect of this program from the conception of the idea to the delivery of the finished project. Not only did it celebrate a community that I have been a part of my whole life, but it also helped promote the arts and the importance of art. I am extremely passionate about the need for art in every community and I firmly believe that in a time when we are more divided that ever, art has the potential to "draw" us back together." - Kate Boyer, Inspire Coordinator 

"It was a good experience to have a younger person helping out in all areas of our Visual Arts programming this summer. We really appreciated having extra hands packing shows into crates, hanging new shows, assisting with artist talks and organizing an event like the Red Chair Project. This is a great way for art councils to get to know younger people that may be interested in joining their arts council in the future." - Nicole Thiessen, Inspire Mentor

For more information about this event, or to learn about how you can access the Visual Arts Program Grant or Inspire funding to develop an arts event for your community contact Visual & Media Arts Coordinator Zoë Schneider at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (306) 586-1252