Galagan, Duma contribute art to centennial

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This article was published 24/05/2016 (3509 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wendy Galagan and Joan Duma are among the local artists whose works are being used to celebrate the RM of East St. Paul’s centennial.

Their work is on display throughout May. Each month a different group of artists will have selections available for viewing at the municipal office at 3021 Birds Hill Rd. during normal business hours.

Galagan grew up in an artistic home. Her father Nestor Gylywoychuk, a long-time teacher in Transcona, is a talented woodworker.

“I always had an artistic talent and the desire to create,” Galagan said.

Galagan shares her father’s passion for woodworking. In 2003 she and her husband Sean were living in Calgary and began reaching out to local ranchers to collect discarded wood from old buildings and fences on their property.

“We loved the idea of taking something old, something that has been around and which has history and character, and making something new,” Galagan said.

One cannot replicate the look and texture of a piece of wood which has been aged by the elements, Galagan explained. It’s that character that provides the basis for a unique creation.
Inspiration often begins when the Galagans take down a building, she said. A fence board is envisioned as a frame, a panel as a star or picture frame.

“The texture, the grooves, the knots, the colours,” Galagan said. “The years of paint over and over isn’t something you could create even if you wanted to.”

The Galagans also create clocks, mirrors and other household items. Her father makes birdhouses which are mini replicas of the granaries or barns which provided the wood . They sometimes work together, as her father has downsized and now uses her studio.

“It’s a family tradition and something we are proud to carry on,” Galagan said.

Galagan appreciates the efforts East St. Paul is making to promote local artists.

“It raises awareness in the community of the richness and depth of the local art community. It’s an opportunity to showcase the talent we have locally in East St. Paul.”

Duma challenges convention

Duma combines a lifelong interest in art with a desire to challenge convention to produce unique creations.

Her work is on display at the municipal office in East St. Paul as part of the municipality’s centennial celebrations. Each month four different artists will have their works exhibited during normal business hours at 3021 Birds Hill Rd.

Duma said she always had the desire to create. When she was young she enjoyed drawing and sewing. She later took lessons in East St Paul with Joyce Anderson and began painting ceramics using the Tole method, a style popular in Northern Europe.

As she neared retirement, Duma took more courses, this time with renowned artist Melaney Robins. She also joined the Local Colour Art Group, a group of artists who gather twice a week.
Duma loves gathering with other artists.

“It’s a great way to get stimulated. You exchange ideas and get invigorated. It widens you horizons.”

Duma explained artists can sometimes get stuck while producing a work. The input and support of others often help her to move on to the next stage of a project.

She also looks to the internet, which allows her to enjoy the work of thousands of artists from around the world. Duma welcomes those perspectives, as she loves to challenge herself.

“I just don’t sit in one place,” she explained. “There’s so much to learn.”

While Duma takes inspiration from many areas, her work often has a spiritual element. When painting angels, time changes meaning and her imagination takes her to other worlds.

Even more standard subjects such as animals and flowers can be interpreted in fresh ways, Duma explained. Animals can be depicted with vibrant colours.

“Flowers may not look like flowers,” Duma added. “They’re a take on flowers.

“When I am working, it’s like putting a puzzle together,” she continued. “That’s what I enjoy about it — it’s a challenge. I play and in the end it all comes together.”

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