‘A really cool thing’

A converted ballroom in Winnipeg’s Exchange District served as home for Mennofolk 2014, the annual showcase of visual art, music and spoken word stemming from southern Manitoba’s Mennonite community.

Under the banner, “Work of our hands: Beauty in utility,” the April 4 event included paintings, quilts, photography, ceramic mosaics, musical instruments created from antlers, multi-coloured chandelier creations, paper embroidery and more.

Since its establishment in 1999, the exhibition has showcased work by predomi-nantly young adult artists. But coming into sharp focus this year was one particular point in the Mennofolk Manitoba mission statement: “To provide a welcoming atmosphere for people, regardless of age.” This year, the six-person Mennofolk organizing committee welcomed submissions from three generations.

 “I don’t think that was a real conscious decision we talked about,” said Matthew Veith, one of the organizers. “It maybe had something to do with where we advertised [our call for submissions]. Regardless, it was a really cool thing.”

George Dyck III, another one of the event’s organizers, created one such inter-generational submission with his mother, Teresa Dyck, and his oma, Louise Dyck. The trio cooked a large pot of soup as an art submission. Entitled simply “Borscht,” the pot was set on a pedestal where viewers were welcome to sample the goods.

Annie Janzen from Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, submitted a piece that was the culmination of a lifetime of memories. The 86-year-old showcased a collection of more than 100 jars, each filled with pictures and objects that reflected moments, memories and occasions of significance from throughout her life. Janzen called them symbols of her life, and shared that she was delighted to be able to exhibit them.

Veith said the organizing committee was excited when it received a phone call from Janzen, saying she was interested in participating.

“It’s a piece that deals with telling a story of her entire life,” Veith said, noting that Janzen spent more than 20 years as the cook at Canadian Mennonite Bible College, one of Canadian Mennonite University’s predecessor colleges. “It’s interesting to see a piece of art by someone that says so much about their life.”

Clare Schellenberg, another member of the Mennofolk Manitoba organizing committee, said that the “Work of our hands” theme emerged from an intentional focus on “what makes us Mennonite, why it’s important and why it should be celebrated.”

The 22-year-old added that she felt a personal connection to the theme. “Working with my hands is how I connect to things,” she said. “This theme of working with our hands connects me back to the Mennonite culture, and [reminds me] of who I am and where I come from.”

In addition to the visual art, Mennofolk 2014 included musical performances by three bands: Man the Selector, The Arlington Trio and Animal Teeth. The evening also included stand-up comedy by Justin Fuhr (performing under his stage name, Frankie Dooberstein), as well as spoken word poetry by Erin Sawatzky.

More than 250 people attended this year’s event.

“We were very impressed with the turnout and the very good artist submissions,” Veith said. “A lot of people from different generations came. I think it went very well.”

Brandi Friesen Thorpe, 24, is a writer living in Winnipeg. With files from Aaron Epp.

--Posted April 23, 2014