The latest winner of our annual Dr. John Archer Library Award is Lindsay Demchuk, who’s winning essay was about her final project for ARTH 324: Canadian Identity and Cultural Identity. Demchuk has an interest in Regina art history, especially the “Regina Clay” ceramic folk art movement of the 1960s and 70s. Her project involved revisiting the Canada Trajectoires ‘73 group exhibition, which was held in Paris in 1973 and included several ceramists connected to Regina Clay. Demchuk obtained the French-language exhibition catalogue through the Archer Library, which significantly informed her report Regina 1973: Trajectories in Clay.

“Prior to this final project, I performed research on Regina Clay ceramist Marilyn Levine, who has several previously under-researched pieces in the U of R President’s Art Collection. Marilyn’s artist file was provided to me by President’s Art Collection Manager Ali King and included primary sources like letters Marilyn wrote to late art collector Morris Shumiatcher. I also reviewed other primary sources courtesy of the U of R Archives, which led me to the idea to revisit the year 1973 because it was the last year that Marilyn practiced in Regina before moving permanently to the United States. As a result of this project, I will continue to review primary sources during the creative process. These provide a window into the past that is both exciting and inspiring for art historic research.”

- Lindsay Demchuk