Weyburn Arts Council - Weyburn, Saskatchewan

Weyburn Arts Council was the first arts council established in Saskatchewan in 1964 by a City bylaw, and is governed by a 10-member volunteer board.

The council is funded by grants, fees and donations which are graciously accepted. As a non-profit charitable organization, Weyburn Arts Council can issue charitable donation receipts. Legacies or bequeathments are accepted.

Weyburn Arts Council is an affiliate of the Saskatchewan Arts Council and a member of the Museum Association of Saskatchewan. We are an advisory board overseeing the City of Weyburn galleries (Allie Griffin, Credit Union and Signal Hill) and programming. As well, we manage the City of Weyburn permanent arts collection.

Weyburn Arts Council Mission:

To provide the opportunity to experience art in a fun and encouraging atmosphere.

The purpose of an arts council is to provide leadership in the education, promotion, presentation and preservation of the arts in our community.

James Weir People’s Choice Award

42nd Annual JWPC
artists must register by Dec. 17, 2026. Register here.

From January 5 to March 19th, 2027, the Weyburn Art Gallery, in conjunction with the Weyburn Arts Council will be celebrating the 42nd Annual James Weir People’s Choice Competition and Exhibition.

Beginning in 1984, the JWPC gives amateur artists from the Weyburn/Southeast Saskatchewan region the opportunity to display their works in the Weyburn Art Gallery. Gallery patrons are invited to cast their votes for their favorite pieces during the exhibition.

Important dates:

Artists wishing to submit work must register by Dec. 17, 2026
Artist work delivery between Dec. 18, 2026 to Jan. 5, 2027 (see submission conditions below for more details)
Voting will end March 5, 2027 at 5 p.m.
Artist Reception and award presentation will be held March 19, 2027 at 7 p.m. in the Weyburn Art Gallery.

JWPC Artist Submission Conditions

1. Entrants must reside in the Southeast Region of Saskatchewan and live in an area where no Art Council exists.

2. Works of art must be recently produced (2024-2026) and never shown in the Weyburn Art Gallery

3. Works of all mediums will be accepted. A set of two or three pieces is allowed only if they are a continuation of the scene to form a single unified scene.

4. Items made with the use of commercial patterns or artificial intelligence will NOT be accepted. Being inspired by others is encouraged, however reproductions of others’ work will not be accepted. This includes “paint night” style paintings, and painting of photographs you do not have the rights to.

5. Two-dimensional pieces must be ready for hanging, no sawtooth hangers allowed. The preferred hanging device is a D ring. If a hanger is required a fee of $5.00 will be charged for that service. Please label the back of your work with your name and title of work for identification purposes.

6. Entrants must be emerging artists 16 years of age or older.

7. Artists wishing to submit work must register by December 17, 2026

8. Work must be delivered by 10am, January 5, 2027, to the Weyburn Art Gallery. Works may be dropped off at the front desk of the Credit Union Spark Centre starting December 18, 2026. If work has not been delivered by 10am on January 5, the work will NOT be included in the exhibition.

9. Works on display may be picked up March 19, 2027, immediately after the reception. If you cannot attend the reception, please alert the Weyburn Arts Council at weyburnac.board@gmail.com.

10. Please do not sign your work. We ask for artist anonymity during the voting process. Please do not share or post pictures of your work until voting is over. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. Artists’ names will be added to display once is voting is over, and all artists will be acknowledged during artist reception with photos taken of you and your art piece.

11. Works accepted at the discretion of the Weyburn Arts Council and the Weyburn Art Gallery. Please be mindful that all ages will be viewing this exhibition

12. Weyburn Arts Council and the Weyburn Art Galley may use photos or videos of your piece to promote the exhibition. By submitting this entry form you are acknowledging this.

13. For more information, please contact weyburnac.board@gmail.com

What is JWPC Awards

Every January/February since it began in 1984, the Weyburn Arts Council hosts this multi-artist show, where residents of Weyburn are invited to vote for their favourites. It is the longest running show of its kind in Western Canada.

Curator Regan Lanning hosts a large number of school tours through the exhibit. The children are encouraged to look deeper and explore the meanings and messages in the art. If you would like to book a guided gallery tour of the exhibit, contact (306) 848-3219 or email rlanning@weyburn.ca.

See the history of the JWPC and view past winners here.