Trained in the art of pottery among a few other art forms, Connie Chaplin started up her business in honour of her former mentor.
Chaplin’s journey
In her youth years, Chaplin had been learning how to do pottery ever since she was in high school. Because of this it eventually led her to receiving a grant from Sanscard sports.
After receiving the grant, Chaplin decided to come to Fort Qu’ Appelle to do a weeklong pottery class which was being run by the Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts. This was just outside of the area in the old Fort Sanatorium.
Chaplin’s instructor for the class was Hansen-Ross who mentored her. After the class had concluded, Chapin said he was looking to hire someone for the rest of the summer to takeover the sales at the store in the gallery. She lived in the house/gallery while working and learning how better hone her skills as a potter.
How Chaplin’s business came to be
With a few years having passed, and with Hansen-Ross aging, a decision was to be made regarding his home.
“I heard from someone that he was selling and that someone was going to buy it and put it into an apartment building,” said Chaplin.
“(When I heard this, I was like) what that can’t happen, this house has had so much history.”
Chaplin said she and a few other locals didn’t want to see something special turn into another ordinary building, so she came up with an idea.
“I purchased it from him (Hansen-Ross), and he continued to live here for a while longer and then I did the big renovations.”
Chaplin said although she modernized the house, she ensured the essence of the architecture is still preserved.
In addition to the renovations, Chapin said she started up the “Hansen-Ross” house as her own business in honour of her mentor. Her business continued to have the gallery; however, she decided to incorporate workshops, and have artists live out of the house.
Chaplin said how everything came to be was because she was in the right place at the right time.
Exhibitions, markets and workshops
With Chaplin’s business in full flow, she said there were decisions that needed to be made regarding what artists she wanted to represent in her gallery.
“(Being) local is a nice criterion, and also people have to have a Saskatchewan story,” said Chaplin.
Chapin added how twice a year the Hansen-Ross house has an outdoor art market, and the reason for this is – to have your work represented in the gallery – artists need to participate in at least one or two of these markets. The markets are on July 1st and the September long weekend.
“I don’t make all the decisions, my customers, town, other artists (help make these decisions too),” Chaplin said.
When it comes to having artists live out of the house, Chaplin said because Fort Qu’ Appelle doesn’t have a hotel, she decided to make her own accommodations and says it has been working well.
“When we do classes the participants and students can come from afar and stay right here. It makes it more economical for them,” Chaplin said.
The workshops she runs out of her home are great for anyone who is interested in pursuing art as a profession or for those who want to learn something new. Chaplin said how it’s about creating “curiosity.”
Although Chaplin teaches the students personally, she says she also brings in guests to help her sometimes too. Chaplin also teaches eco printing and textiles for any artist who is interested in those areas of art.
“When you get to do what you want to do it’s a wonderful opportunity, and when you can support people that are all doing what they want to do it feels even better.”
