Hidden Art of Susan Velder Finds Home in Historic Church

In St. Walburg, Saskatchewan, a new art gallery has emerged from the remnants of a century-old church, showcasing the works of local artist Susan Velder. The gallery, which officially opened its doors to the public on July 31, 2023, houses Velder’s extensive collection that had previously been stored in her home, filled with sculptures, watercolours, and sketches. This transformative project, led by local residents Bonnie Davis-Schmitz and Deb Kerr-Goodfellow, aims to provide a platform for Velder’s art, while also revitalizing the community space.

The church, originally built in 1921 and recently closed after its last service on April 24, 2023, has been repurposed into an art space after Davis-Schmitz and Kerr-Goodfellow acquired it. “We started about a year ago. Susan Velder was looking for a place to archive her artwork,” Davis-Schmitz explained. What began as a simple storage solution soon evolved into a full-fledged gallery, allowing the community to appreciate Velder’s contributions to the art world.

Velder, now 85 years old, has a long history as an artist, with notable sculptures located across Canada. Her work includes a bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II on horseback outside the Saskatchewan Legislature and a bust of Tommy Douglas within the building. Despite these achievements, Velder’s name has not gained widespread recognition. For decades, her home was filled with unsorted art pieces, leading her to refer to the new gallery as “an answer to prayer.”

Once the gallery was established, Velder decided to donate her life’s work rather than keeping it on loan. “She hasn’t done a show since she moved back to St. Walburg in 1986,” Davis-Schmitz noted, pointing out the backlog of art that had been stored away for years.

Velder’s artistic journey began in 1970 when she left St. Walburg to study at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary. Her time in art school from 1973 to 1977 was formative, sparking a passion for both teaching and creating art. However, balancing a teaching career with her artistic ambitions proved challenging. “I found out when I became a teacher that I didn’t have any spare time,” she recalled. This realization prompted her to focus solely on her art.

After several years of teaching at the University of Calgary and the Alberta Vocational Center, Velder returned to her hometown in 1986. This move marked a shift in her career, as she began to create more commercially viable art, responding to community preferences for realistic pieces. She operated a shop in St. Walburg until 2014, but despite her significant commissions, Velder struggled with marketing her art.

In addition to her art career, Velder has a rich family life. She has one daughter, who has given her five grandchildren, and she takes great pride in having 18 great-grandchildren. “That’s the most precious part of my life, I think, much more so than the art,” Velder expressed.

Kerr-Goodfellow, who co-founded the gallery, emphasized the importance of giving Velder’s work the recognition it deserves. “I feel very privileged; Susan is just such a wonderful person, and I’m actually surprised that her work has been so unsung,” she said, highlighting Velder’s impressive portfolio of statement pieces.

The gallery has received enthusiastic support from the local community, with volunteers and organizations contributing funds and services to facilitate its opening. Future plans include community events such as a Pumpkin Fest in the fall and a Christmas event later in the year. The gallery is also committed to supporting local initiatives, such as providing space for a food bank and offering art classes.

For Velder, the establishment of the gallery has brought a sense of closure and peace. “I’m really pleased that my art is taken care of,” she said. The repurposed church now stands as a testament to her lifetime of artistic contributions, transforming what was once a place of worship into a vibrant community hub for art and culture.

As Velder humorously noted, “Whether it gets burnt or whatever happens to it doesn’t matter to me. I hope it doesn’t, but it’s not my worry anymore, and that I like.” The transformation of this small-town church into an art gallery signifies not only a new chapter for Velder but also a renewed appreciation for the arts within the community.