A Day For Finding Hope

A Day For Finding Hope

6 x 6"

oil on board

© Nicki Ault, 2013
sold

 

From July 8-12 artists and musicians and lovers of the Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus participated in a quiet protest of sorts; gathering on campus to paint, play music and share stories. All week long people came and went, neighbors of the campus dropped by to lend their support and happily the press came to find a story. 

I drove up for the day on the Wednesday of that week. I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea for me to make the trip seeing as how I am a bit of an emotional type, but I wanted to see some artist friends who I knew would be there. Sure enough the setting was somewhat depressing... instead of buzzing with life and vibrant energy, it felt lonely and like a ghost town. Cabins were boarded up, the tarp over the outdoor studio was rolled away, no bikes sat in the bike rack, no flowers welcomed you to the office and dining hall. Perhaps most noticeable to me, however, was the void I felt when the staff I usually expect to see there, were not there. 

It was a hard day in many ways, and I did a couple of mediocre paintings on the beach, but there was a general feeling of optimism amongst the group. Lots of ideas were being generated and the media is very interested in covering news about the campus. It is not a forgotten place and people are still passionate about it... I think the University of Saskatchewan is starting to get that message.

I left feeling a mixed bag of emotions. Tears were involved, but I expected that. I have to believe it will open again, that it will continue to be a place of creativity, growth and intense learning, and a place that offers respite to tired souls in need of rebooting. I truly hope it does, I want it available to future generations. But for me, I don't know if it will ever be the same again.

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