(Facebook/Northern Lights Gallery)

By Angie Rolheiser

Art in the Back Alley

Back Alley Tour returning this summer in Melfort, artists and volunteers wanted

Jun 11, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Melfort’s Back Alley Tour that features local artists will return this summer.

Northern Lights Gallery owner Sandra Dancey started the event five years ago to allow artists to showcase their work while also being able to interact with fellow artists.

“It’s good for artists to see each other and exchange ideas,” Dancey said. “It is also a good way to demonstrate how much talent we have around here.”

The first event saw between 15 and 20 artists set up some of their work in the back alley behind the gallery that is located on Main Street.

“Numbers are slowly growing, and we are drawing from a little further out every year, which is nice because it brings new ideas and the artists really feed off that,” Dancey said.

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The event was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Dancey said with the direction things are going, as far as restrictions are concerned, the July 15 event will go ahead.

“We are outdoors and spread out nicely in the back alley, so it is safe for everybody,” Dancey said.

Traditionally, the back-alley tour is held on the Thursday before the parade that kicks off the Melfort fair weekend. The event is still slated for the same day but without the fair happening. The Melfort Agriculture Society announced last month that the fair would not be going ahead but some activities may still go ahead at the fairgrounds over the summer.

“It won’t interfere with weekend plans and just a nice time of year and something to do in the evening,” Dancey said. “It’s also a free thing to do and a way to see how many talented people there are in the neighbourhood.”

Some volunteers are needed for the back alley event to help with ensuring no one drives through the back alley as well as helping artists set up and tear down. More artists are also invited to take part in the event as well.

“It is the artists that make up this event and made it what it is,” Dancey said. “I hope that it keeps growing in size because it is a tourist attraction to show what a great place Melfort is,” Dancey said.

Volunteers and artists can get on board by getting in touch with Dancey at the Northern Lights Art Gallery at 306-752-4930 or on social media.

More details on which artists will be on hand at the event will be available in the coming weeks.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser