By Derek Cornet

Residency begins at Alex Robertson Public Library

Jan 25, 2018 | 11:00 AM

A new opportunity is available in La Ronge for those looking to hone in on their writing or artistic skills. 

Miriam Körner, of Potato Lake, received a Saskatchewan Arts Board grant to facilitate an artist/writer-in-residency program at the Alex Robertson Public Library. She’ll be delivering workshops and one-on-one consultations from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15, and she said being selected to lead such a program is a dream come true. 

“I always had this vision of bringing change in our community by working collaboratively as artists and writers together,” Körner said. “I’ve been looking for venues to make this happen. I also believe there’s an energy created when working with others, and sharing the process of writing or doing art.”

In the last two weeks, Körner has been spending time preparing workshops, meeting community partners and making sure everything is set up. She said emerging writers and artists, or professional ones, are encouraged to participate in the events that will be held in the 11 months, as well as take advantage of the consultations. Those wishing to meeting with Körner about their work need to call the library to schedule an appointment. 

“It’s usually big cities that have the financial means to do this and it’s usually writers in residence,” she said. “Their job is just to provide feedback and do the occasional workshop. This is different because we’re a small community, it’s going to be a collaborative project working with me and in the community.”

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As part of the residency, Körner will also be allowed to use 50 per cent of her time working on a private project. She’s halfway done writing a novel for young adults and said readers will find similarities between it, and her latest novel Yellow Dog. Körner said Yellow Dog was well-received in the community and students at local schools are even reading it.

Linda Mikolayenko is currently the acting-administrator at the library and she said the residency is a unique opportunity for local writers and artists. She also said the public is invited to a welcoming reception to be held Jan. 31 at the library to find out more about what will be offered. 

“People can come in, meet Miriam and learn a little bit about her own personal journey,” Mikolayenko said. “She brings that role where she is an award-winning author and an accomplished visual artist.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno