1

1955 marked the Jubilee year of Saskatchewan: the 50th anniversary of the province. It also was the first year of the Emma Lake Artists' Workshop. The two week workshops were held in August for professional artists. A guest artist/leader, invited to come as a participant, usually came from outside of Saskatchewan or Canada. The beginning of the Emma Lake Artists' Workshop brought attention to the remote northern Saskatchewan lake and today (2005) it is known worldwide.

2

One hundred and sixty-six people attended Emma Lake Artists' Workshop from 1955 until 1970. It is credited with aiding in the formation of the "Regina Five". Doug Morton, Ted Godwin, Ron Bloore, Arthur McKay, and Kenneth Lochhead were members of this Saskatchewan art movement.

3

Sunset
1980
Emma Lake, Saskatchewan

4

The Emma Lake Artists' Workshop occurred in response to the relative isolation of serious artists on the prairies. As committed painters and sculptors, they craved outside contact from the greater 'art world'.

5

Activities
1964
Kenderdine Campus, Emma Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

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Participants at one of the Artists' Workshops at Emma Lake. Ernest Lindner is pitching.

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Most artists couldn't get to larger cities to experience the current art scene.

By bringing established artists to Saskatchewan for the Artists' Workshop, the mature prairie artists could be exposed to new ideas and receive stimulation they were missing.

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Kenneth Noland, Leader of the 1963 Emma Lake Artists' Workshop.
1963
Kenderdine Campus, Emma Lake, Saskatchewan

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"The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for painters and sculptors to work and exchange ideas in a two-week period under the leadership of an artist of contemporary reputation" stated Kenneth Lochhead.

(Credit John D. H. King, Emma Lake Workshops, p.2)

10

Jules Olitski (1964 Leader) with paintings he was working on during the Artists' Workshop.
1964
Kenderdine Campus, Emma Lake, Saskatchewan

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The Emma Lake Artists' Workshop is unique; it is not a traditional teacher and student situation. Both the artists and the visiting leader produce artwork in an intensive working environment.

12

Dorothy Knowles painting in the studio at Emma Lake Artists' Workshop.
1964
Kenderdine Campus, Emma Lake, Saskatchewan

13

From the shores of the beach at Kenderdine Campus.
7 August 2005
Kenderdine Campus, Emma Lake, Saskatchewan

14

It was the best of both worlds, when the visiting artists from New York City, New York, made the journey into the wilderness of Saskatchewan. For guest leaders like Barnett Newman in 1957, Clement Greenberg in 1962 and Jules Olitski in 1964, Emma Lake was a physical and spiritual retreat from the 'Big Apple'.