Prairie artist Megan Morman describes her latest project, Super Art Activity Fun Book: Saskatchewan Edition, as an opportunity to “give Saskatchewan a hug, then pull down its pants.”
The project, which the Lethbridge-based University of Saskatchewan grad funded through Indiegogo, includes word searches, mazes, mad libs, crossword puzzles, and colouring games. It’s an accessible and cheeky look at Saskatchewan’s art scene, but some of the activities—particularly the book’s centrefold crossword puzzle—are also expertly crafted trivia challenges.
Under which former director did the Mendel Art Gallery secure funding to build the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan? And who were the co-founders of the Arts Bank and All Citizens in Bruno? There’s an unusual breed of specialized knowledge these puzzles demand that elevates what Morman calls the “weird/monotonous/shocking stories” of Saskatchewan’s “fantastic and terrible regionalism.” The book capitalizes and plays on the scenester art knowledge that characterizes every art centre in Canada, but is often only considered valuable (or even glamorous) in large city centres. Despite its abundant silliness, Super Art Activity Fun Book: Saskatchewan Edition makes a clear argument: that art in Saskatchewan is worth knowing about.
Morman’s artistic practice has included making crosswords and other games about art for the past several years, with previous projects featured in Vancouver’s Front Magazine, No More Potlucks and Neighbourhoods, a publication produced for Artsweek Peterborough. This is the first time, however, that she has collected her puzzles in a book. Morman’s playful design sense and fidelity to the tropes of children’s activity books guarantees that even for those lacking a serious knowledge of Saskatchewan art, the book is a delight.
Morman has made Super Fun Art Activity Book: Saskatchewan Edition available online through Etsy, with plans to hold a launch event in Saskatoon in June—an event that may one day itself become an important bit of Saskatchewan art knowledge.
