PWHS to showcase Connie McConnell’s art

By Joan Janzen

The art of Connie (Etter) McConnell will be showcased at the Prairie West Historical Society (PWHS) in Eston beginning on the afternoon of June 25th. On that afternoon, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Connie will be in attendance for an opening reception at the Heritage Gallery. This is the first time Connie’s art has been displayed at Eston’s Heritage Gallery, and it will continue to be displayed until August 26th.

Connie grew up in Isham and Eston, before her brothers and her parents, Mel and Doris Etter settled on a farm in the McMorran district. Connie received her elementary and high school education in Eston. Years later, she met her husband, Brian McConnell, from Dodsland. Connie currently resides in Saskatoon.

Acrylic is Connie’s first art medium, starting with folk art, then tole art. She loves experimenting with colours to evoke emotions and capture her memories as she portrays beauty to be found in Saskatchewan.

Connie participated in many workshops and classes on painting and scratchboard art. Scratchboard art involves the simple play of light that brings forward bright sparkles and mysteries in shadows. She also uses the board to give graphic details to rural Saskatchewan images.

Scratchboard shows off Connie’s light touch and sensitive depiction in all her pieces, offering a perfect compliment to her colourful acrylics. Her scratchboard pieces have also garnered recognition at the Saskatoon Exhibition of the Arts and Reflections of Nature shows.

Connie is currently a member of the Prairie River Artists and participates in various shows with the group. She also participated in the Biggar Adjudicated Art Show 2021, and had her scratchboard showcased at the Dandelion Framing and Art Gallery in Saskatoon.

Now she is excited to have her show, Colour and Light, at the Prairie West Historical Society Museum in Eston. After all, her heart and home is in West Central Saskatchewan.