By Aaron Schulze

Melfort’s Back Alley Tour gives wood carving artist a ‘hometown’ setting

Jul 20, 2018 | 8:48 AM

Artists from Northeast Saskatchewan, and some even as far as Saskatoon, filled the back alley behind Northern Lights Gallery on July 19 to put on a local art exhibition.

Various forms of artwork such as paintings, carvings, music, plants, sculptures, and stained glass were on display, with vendors selling their art or teaching others their craft.

Elvin Preete carves and sells his own wood spirits, unique pieces of raw wood that get a face carved in them, and he told northeastNOW the Alley Tour varies from other art shows he’s been a part of.

“This is more of a hometown setting,” Preete said. “The artists are of a local nature, and it’s all hand crafted materials here. Nothing pre-made.”

Not going that pre-made , duplicate route is crucial for Preete, as he prides himself on making every one of his wood spirits original.

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“Two pieces are never the same because you have different woods and the character of the material is different in every one,” Preete said. “When you get one, you get a one-of-a-kind original piece.”

It was the first year Preete attended the Back Alley Tour, but after seeing the wide variety of art and people, he said there’s a good chance of him coming back next year.

aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twiter: @SchulzePANow