With a population nearing 260,000 residents, Regina holds the distinction of having produced a disproportionately large number of artists relative to its size—including three modern art movements of national significance. The birthplace of the Regina Five and Regina Clay, and home to some of the most important Indigenous artists working in Canada today, Saskatchewan’s capital has long been a vital site for creative innovation. Regina Art & Artists: An Illustrated History is the first comprehensive look at the city’s art history.
Situated on prairie grassland, Regina and its surrounding area have been inhabited by First Nations for more than 11,000 years. Many of the city’s earliest residents created art about their homesteading experiences—and many more were inspired by their wind-swept surroundings: the flatness of the plains, the dense northern boreal forests, and the rushing Qu’Appelle River. Since the city’s founding in 1882, Regina’s artists have borne witness to history in the making, creating portraits of significant political and cultural figures, recording urban development, and documenting pivotal events, such as the infamous trial of Métis leader Louis Riel (1844–1885).
“Since Regina’s early days, artists have been fascinated by the Saskatchewan landscape, whether it was the flat plains, the Qu’Appelle Valley, or the northern boreal forest. The traits that allowed the city to develop its art and culture have persisted, progress invariably marked by optimism, resilience, and community spirit.”Philip Dombowsky
Through his groundbreaking research, author Philip Dombowsky highlights the key artists, institutions, and community builders who have contributed to Regina’s storied art historical legacy. Dombowsky reveals how the city overcame many obstacles—environmental, economic, and political—to establish a vibrant ecosystem for the arts. A focus on the major contributions of women as artists, educators, collectors, and administrators grounds this story: Regina Art & Artists celebrates their advocacy for making art more accessible and their drive to connect Regina’s artists to the rest of Canada.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Philip Dombowsky is an Archivist at the National Gallery of Canada, specializing in private collections and visual resources. He holds an MA in art history from Concordia University and a Master of Library and Information Studies from McGill University, Montreal. As well as making regular contributions to the National Gallery’s online magazine, he is the author of Walter S. Allward: Life & Work (Art Canada Institute, 2021) and Index to the National Gallery of Canada’s Exhibition Catalogues and Checklists 1880–1930, which won the Melva J. Dwyer Award of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) in 2008.