By Colleen A.J. Smith

Allen Sapp gallery to celebrate its centennial

Jun 23, 2016 | 12:45 PM

The opportunity to celebrate a 100th birthday doesn’t come along that often.

But in North Battleford on October 1, the Allen Sapp Gallery building, originally built as the Carnegie Library, will play host to a commemorative day of art, history, carriage rides and all sorts of art-related activities.

Leah Garven, curator and manager of the gallery, said the centennial event will take place alongside the city’s annual Culture Days celebration.

 “Working alongside with the North Battleford library, we want to celebrate our Carnegie Library,” Garven said. “We have a series of proposed activities for the fall.”

Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish Railroad mogul of the 1870’s, whose philanthropy spread internationally to include the building of several libraries and cultural establishments (including New York’s own Carnegie Hall), was the man behind the name. According to Garven, Carnegie hoped North Battleford to become a ‘civilized society.’ His provision of a library was due to his belief in philanthropy as an entrepreneur.

Meadow Lake arena and recreation facility

Innovation Federal Credit Union donates up to $1-million in community match

4h ago

Weekend hockey

PAGC set to host largest Senator's Cup tournament to date

6h ago

Riderville

Riders Have Options Heading into Tuesday CFL Draft

8h ago

Garven said Carnegie’s philosophy has had a major impact on the community through the century. The centennial celebration will focus on how his charity influenced the city’s artistic legacy.

“I want to look at that vision they had to bring that whole access to literacy, art and culture to North Battleford 100 years ago, but also to celebrate the history, art and culture in North Battleford, period,” Garven said. “There’s been a lot of changes occur over time, like the conversion of a Catholic Chapel to a civic art gallery. To me, that was a commitment towards the art in North Battleford. And (the) vision that a gallery would be in place to showcase the work of Allan Sapp; that is another example of vision in our community.”

Garven said she is confident the turnout for the day will be successful.

There are a lot of supporters,” Garven said. “I really want to look to how vibrant the arts are in our community.”

Kanawemik Family and Child Resources is also partnering up with the gallery to incorporate Aboriginal culture on the day. The events hope to include different styles of dance and setting up teepees.

The day will also include an arts market as well as a bread and jam making stations set up between the Sapp Gallery and the Don Ross Centre.

“We’re looking to celebrating art as a whole,” Garven said.

Email: colleen.smith@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @ColleenAJSmith