Arts and Culture Editor – Caitlyn Gerrish

Thursday, Sept. 7, marked the opening of the Foreman Art Gallery’s first exhibit of the 2023-24 season, titled “The Milk, The Goats, The Costume Maker, The Bees, The Honey, The Brass Band”, featuring the multimedia artwork of Saskatchewan native, Bill Burns.  Admission to the gallery is free and runs until Oct. 7.

This year the Forman Art Gallery, which is located on Bishop’s campus, will be featuring five exhibitions in its main gallery and another five in its video tank, an immersive space for video art. Camila Vásquez, ArtLab Coordinator and co-curator of the current exhibit expressed how visiting the gallery can provoke transformative and educational discussions. “For our local university community, visiting the gallery is an opportunity to learn more about contemporary art and reflect on current issues. As well as to develop a personal relationship with the artworks, while getting to know the artists, their statements and their biographies.”

The current exhibit features a variety of media including but not limited to drawing, photography, sculpture and videography. As gallery director and curator, Gentiane Bélanger describes: “His projects have attempted to bring together the disparate realms of art, culture, economics, industry, the earth, living things and nature.” For the past year, Burns has taken up residency at the gallery’s ArtLab and as the gallery team explained: “worked in collaboration with farmers, musicians, beekeepers, artists, students and farm animals in the community.” The culmination of the yearlong project ends with the current exhibition as well as a farm-side performance. 

In addition to offering a variety of free exhibitions open to all members of the community, the gallery also has opportunities to get involved at both the gallery and ArtLab on a regular or occasional basis. As Vásquez explained: “This could be for opening receptions, art hives or creative workshops. There are also opportunities for work experience, internships and independent study.” Any student interested can stop by the gallery to inquire or reach out via email. 

The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday and the team is always on hand to guide visitors and answer any questions, Vásquez explained. “What’s more, the Community ArtLab offers guided tours and creative workshops in conjunction with exhibitions.” As with gallery admission, these workshops are free and open to all.