When people walk into Nouveau Gallery, they are greeted by Sharon Eisbrenner’s lively smile. As a local artist and Nouveau Gallery’s assistant, she not only shares the same passion for local creativity, but is also knowledgeable about other artists’ work and their creative processes in the province.

The pieces displayed in the gallery features Saskatchewan ‘s natural beauty through the eyes of local artists, and creates a sense of familiarity in viewers. 

“Public galleries will usually have installations, and they’re usually making some kind of statement,” said Eisbrenner. “They pay the artist for the installation. Here, the art is for sale, so it’s personally what someone sees and likes, and hopefully they’ll buy [the piece] and take it home if it touches them.

“Every artist has their own hand, especially when you’re considering professional art,” said Eisbrenner. “They could all be sitting in front of the same thing and they would paint and produce something different.”

The gallery is owned and directed by Meagan Perreault, the daughter of Saskatchewan-born artist, Wilf Perreault. But in her absence, Eisbrenner supervises Nouveau Gallery, located at 2146 Albert Street in Regina.

In terms of how the artwork is placed around the gallery, Eisbrenner explains the thought process on the display order.

“Our preparator really does try to make each piece speak on its own while also speaking to every other piece in the hall,” said Eisbrenner. “There’s nothing jarring. It’s very easy to look at. And I think that’s important, like it’s in your home.”

Eisbrenner explains that people who come to the gallery to purchase some of the artwork are either from Regina or who come from away, and clarifies that they’ve had clients from 25 years old to seniors.

“You need to have money,” said Eisbrenner. “Every artist sets their own price, based on the size, the medium, the effort. But I would say that Saskatchewan art is pretty affordable for the beauty they hold.”

Aden Stobbs, a Nouveau Gallery visitor, said his experience at the gallery left him wanting a piece of home.

“The Saskatchewan art was well represented there,” said Stobbs, a second-year student at the University of Regina. “This one artist, Wilf Perreault, focuses on back alleys and streets, and it reminds me of home in Saskatchewan. His colours were mainly darker with a mellow tone and it’s kinda comforting.”

When asked if he would ever want to own a piece shown in the gallery, Stobbs answered having one of the artworks in the future would remind him of the province he grew up in, tying him back to his roots of Saskatchewan culture.

“[Perreault] has this one painting of a dark, frosted back alley called ‘Yes It Is’ that looks a lot like the alley behind my house,” said Stobbs. “It’s kinda special that something that’s so familiar to me is being recognized by a professional artist.”

Eisbrenner also emphasizes the beauty of Saskatchewan, and said the province’s scenes act as a form of how local artists communicate to buyers and viewers.

“I think good art, actually, it sings to you from the wall,” said Eisbrenner. “There’s so much that you see in it, it’s like a fresh perspective everyday.”