The Eastman Region is rich and vibrant with art at every corner, but you might be wondering how you can incorporate it into your life.

There are lots of ways to bring art into your life, even in these times. Try out something new and discover hidden talents! Or improve one of your favourite art subjects that you have done for years. There are always new techniques, different ideas, and ways to push yourself through new and exciting challenges in the arts.

Check out Winnipeg River Arts Council’s Facebook Page for upcoming online art resources.

*Disclaimer* Time in nature has not been cancelled, but we must be responsible for helping everyone stay safe and healthy! Here are some guidelines to follow while exploring your community:

• Stay home if you have been travelling or do not feel well. Here is an excellent resource if you are quarantined. This will help you find people in Manitoba who are willing and able to help you while quarantined. Help Next Door Manitoba
• Go out with people within your household, but practice social distancing (2 metres away) with other groups.
• Stay within your community. Please do not travel to other communities.
• Please practice Leave No Trace. Clean up after yourself and leave nothing behind such as trash and waste.
• Check with your local municipality if play structures in parks and schools are open.
• Social distancing can be easier in rural communities because we live farther apart from each other. If you live in a condo or apartment, please follow the guidelines provided to you to ensure you keep your social distance from your neighbors.

Pinawa Art Gallery’s Virtual Art Contest

Is your hobby capturing the beauty around you? Maybe you want to try something new? Or have you always wanted to bring art into your life? Then participating in Pinawa Art Gallery’s Virtual Art Contest is the perfect activity for you!

The goal of starting this contest was to bring joy, creativity, and unique activity for the whole family to enjoy during these stressful times. To get back in nature, to capture the joyous moments, to remind people that even though we live in uncertain times, there is still beauty and art all around us.

The contest started on May 3rd and runs till August 28th, with a new topic every two weeks, totalling nine topics throughout the contest. There are three age categories (Under 12 years old, teens, and adults) all for non-professionals. At the end of each topic, three Pinawa Art Gallery members or associates will select two finalists from each age category (total of six finalists from every topic). At the end of the contest, all finalist art pieces will be displayed in the Art Gallery, and a People’s Choice will determine a winner from each age category, with three winners receiving a $50.00 gift certificate for the Pinawa Art Gallery.

Facebook Live Concerts

Are you missing watching your favourite musicians perform? There are tons of live concerts happening . . . well, Facebook Live concerts. Local musicians have taken up the act of performing live, and you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home! You can even still interact with them as they perform.

Keep up with your favourite local artist to see what they have cooking up for concerts, or even follow your favourite music festivals and see if they are sharing artists’ live streams!

Photo Hiking

What can be better than getting some exercise, enjoying the natural beauty of the trails, and snapping a few fantastic pics? You never know what you might see!

For your next hiking or walking trip, make sure to pack your camera and capture the gorgeous scenery and wildlife around you! From breathtaking forest landscape, calming river, and lake views, to furry creatures you might encounter, the Eastman Region is rich with stunning photo opportunities.

Library Allard Children’s Coloring Contest

Does your kiddo love to draw? Then they will love Library Allard’s Coloring Contest! Throughout the month of May, your child can submit their colouring masterpiece and have the chance to win one of three prizes! There are three age categories (3-5, 6-8, and 9-12), and all your child has to do is print off the colouring sheets off Library Allard’s website, colour in the sheet, and submit their finished work through email or Facebook Messenger.

Online Art Tutorials

The Internet is full of tutorials, ideas, and blogs of fantastic art projects! With countless options and subjects of art, the only hard part will be picking what category you start with! Whether it’s photography, painting, drawing, music, writing, refurbishing, or so many other options, you’ll find some great tips and how-tos. Here are some excellent links to some tutorials and ideas for your next project!

• Acrylic painting ideas

• Step by step painting for beginners

• Easy drawing tutorials for beginners and beyond

• Photography tips for beginners

• Complete guide of photography

• Refurbishing ideas

• Knitting 101

• Easy knitting patterns for beginners

• Writing tips for beginners

• Beginner spray paint art