Experts tell us that a single square meter of untouched prairie is a unique blend, composed of plants that can come from over 300 different species.
That diversity is what gives the prairie its resiliency. This truth has also always guided life in Saskatchewan.
For Eli Barsi, it has also been the basis upon which she has built a successful career as both a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter and artist.
Growing up on her family’s farm near Kennedy, SK, Barsi says that both music and art were always a part of her life.
“My Dad’s record collection of early traditional country and bluegrass music had a huge influence on me when I was young. But art was always there too. My sister LJ and my Aunt Lil were both great oil painters. My Uncle Aaron was a wood carver. And I had a few cousins who were watercolor painters and potters. I loved all of their work and all of them inspired me in some way,” said Barsi.
Although most of her career has been devoted to music, Barsi says that her art began to play a more important role in her life several years ago.
“I’ve dabbled in painting sporadically since I was young. But for a long time, I was only painting one or two pieces a year, primarily for the ‘Brush of Hope Campaign’ that raises money for the Kidney Foundation through auctioning off paintings done by celebrity artists. Then about six years ago I traveled to Newfoundland and found myself incredibly inspired by the beautiful scenery. So, when I came home from that trip, I dug out my painting supplies and painted what I had seen. I liked how those paintings turned out and felt confident to keep going,” said Barsi. “After a while, I looked at the pieces I’d created and wondered if anyone might be interested in buying them. I put some of my work out there on social media and found there was some interest. Soon I had both CDs and some of my original artwork available for people to buy at my live performances.”
As she continued to work and grow as an artist, Barsi felt a need to make a separate space that she could use as an art studio and workshop.
“By the fall of 2019, I was very busy on the road with my music, as well as
with painting projects when I was at home. At that point my ‘art studio’ was still either my dining room, or my (fairly dark and dingy) basement. I decided to look for a space in Moosomin that I could rent and use as a workspace. That way I could have a better work area for my art, and could have the chance to ‘take a break’ when I was at home. Eventually I found the perfect spot in one of the historic buildings by the railroad tracks in Moosomin, the McNaughton building. The space was set up for retail. But I had no intention of renting it for that reason. So, I began by renting only one small workshop room with a small storage area.”
Just a few months later Barsi’s “small workshop room” would become something much more.
“In March of 2020, we had just returned to Saskatchewan after our first tour of the year, when COVID hit. Among the first things to shut down were live performances and art shows. I had suddenly lost 90 per cent of my income. I was still able to sell music and artwork online. But it’s very hard to reach a new audience or maintain an existing fan base that way,” said Barsi. “The pressure began to make every day feel like a struggle. I decided that I had to stay busy and that my little studio at the edge of town was the place to do that. So, I went there every day, and painted, and created. Soon my little storage area was full of paintings and creations. One day I looked through everything, and thought – “Why don’t I hang these on the walls?” I filled the walls in that room, the hallway, and my workshop room. It was then that I decided to turn that space into a gallery, open the space to the public, advertise and see what happened. That’s how the Prairie Girl Gallery & Gift Boutique began.”
Now, that same resiliency and willingness to try something new has led Barsi to expand her Prairie Girl Gallery & Gift Boutique.
Earlier this month, Barsi announced the opening of the new Prairie Girl Art Centre and invited visitors to come and view the work that six additional artists have on display and available for purchase inside the new space:
- Terry Grant (Clayman Studios – Moosomin)
- Amanda Stender (Montgomery Creek Designs – Kennedy)
- Pam Miller (By-Gone Farm – Whitewood)
- Misty Dukart (A Touch of Happiness Bath – Estevan)
- Sarah Dorma (Sarah’s Sewing Creations – Wapella)
- Melanie Mitchell (Skinwishes Skin Care – Regina)
She notes that Prairie Girl Gallery & Gift Boutique is also home to Infinity Music Lessons, with lessons being offered by her husband, John Cunningham.
“Last fall, John decided to do something he’s always wanted to do, and begin teaching Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele and Bass. This was extremely popular last year, and we have students of all ages and all levels signing up for lessons again this year.”
Welcoming other artists into this new space is something that Barsi says she wanted to do since her gallery opened.
“My early intentions were to try and include some work by other artists in the gallery. But until recently, I didn’t have enough space to showcase other people’s work properly.
In the future, I hope to invite other artists to bring their work to the Prairie Girl Art Center and share their talents.
Now that I’ve had the opportunity to expand, I’m delighted that I can feature the high- quality work being done by other artists and crafters in this area, and this province.”
