The Pembina Hills Arts Council is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year and is marking the occasion with a special exhibition featuring works of member artists.

The exhibition fills both galleries with nearly 70 items ranging from pottery to visual art and all items in the gift shop are also hand made works from members.

The official opening for the exhibition is set for August 8 from 7-9 p.m where the founding members of the original Pembina Hills Artists group will be honored.

The Pembina Hills Artists got their start in 1988 when a group of nine artists from the Morden area displayed their art as part of the Morden Corn and Apple Festival. They continued to exhibit their work three times a year, finding space in a variety of empty buildings in Morden. In March 1992, the group became incorporated as the Pembina Hills Artists Inc. and elected its first board of directors.  In 1996 an Arts Council was formed and with generous support from the Town of Morden, they moved into the historic former Post Office at the corner of Stephen and Eighth Streets.

Marilyn Young was a part of the founding group and said it is exciting to see how far the gallery has come and the bright future that is ahead.

The driving force behind the centre, Young explained, was Pam Smith and her vision that there would be an art centre in this town and she never stopped until she realized her dream.

The goal of the Gallery was to draw together regional artists by providing display space for their work.  Exhibitions each month display the work of regional and Manitoba Artists and unique items made by crafters are sold in the Gift Shop.

Today there are 115 members involved in the Pembina Hills Arts Council and it has become an umbrella group for all the arts, not just visual.

The Council coordinates a variety of art classes for all ages, which include watercolour, mosaics, pottery and children's summer art classes.  Other events in the Gallery include wine tastings, readings, and teas, to name but a few. 

Off-site activities include movies, cello lessons, regional string ensemble, craft sales at the Back 40 and Corn and Apple Festivals and the Christmas Craft Show at the Morden Recreation Complex. 

The Arts Centre also acts as a ticket outlet for other groups and often collaborates with other organizations.