Despite poor travelling conditions, Prince Albert and area artists turned out in droves for Parts for the Arts, the PA Arts Board’s annual information sharing forum.
Arts board chair Shona Stapleton said the event has become a local fixture in its fourth year of existence. She was grateful for those who braved poor traveling conditions on Saturday to make an appearance at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre.
“I think it went really, really well,” Stapleton said during an interview on Tuesday. “We actually had a good number registered, and then the turnout was about half of what was expected, probably due to road conditions and such. Other than that, the organizations that came out were great and the people who were out there were excited to talk … so it was a really good turnout.”
Local author Mary-Ann Kirkby delivered the keynote address this year. It’s a change of pace for the event organizers, who brought in artists from outside the province in past years.
Stapleton said it’s important to support Prince Albert and area artists, which helped influence the decision to invite Kirkby to speak.
“I think Mary-Ann did an awesome job speaking with the people who are there and she was very well received,” Stapleton said. “I think we need to shine a light on our local artists and authors in that way. I think it just goes to show that perseverance is huge when it comes to believing in what you’re doing.”
As for the future, Stapleton said they likely won’t have details on next year’s Parts for the Arts for several months. However, she said they’re always hoping to improve every year.
“Let’s just say next year is probably going to be bigger and better,” she said.
