Mission Statement
Routes Gallery, found in the heartland of the prairie, will have as a mission to showcase Visual Artists from the area and beyond, with a special focus on the rural experience of the prairies.  I choose to do so for many heartfelt reasons, but mainly because when a person works in any type of creative field, he or she should work from what they know, and it will be authentic and appealing.  We live in a time when finally, others are beginning to look in on Saskatchewan with open eyes and minds, and seeing what we’ve all known for a long time: It’s not only a great place to visit, it’s a great place to indulge.  I plan to showcase that through showing and selling visual art, having concerts of mainly roots and world music, and making of this space an Arts Learning Centre.  In the long run, I want Routes Gallery to represent all that is vibrant
and dynamic about Saskatchewan and its people.

Also, it has long been proven that cultural activities explored within a community such as reading, attending live performances, and visiting art galleries are directly linked with developing social phenomena such as volunteering, donating, making neighborhood connections, developing a sense of belonging and improving our quality of life (Hill Strategies 2008).  Also, even economists will note that “the arts are what’s known as a ‘public good’ in that the benefits conferred through the arts is generally not confined to a single purchaser.  Rather, through the inspiration and enlightenment they provide, the arts have an impact on numerous facets of life, from education and health to social justice and economic development.”1  This is what I seek for my community.

Harris, a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, has a lot going on for its small size.

The following is a quick overview of what the town has in its midst and also what it has contributed to the region:

- Known for being home to "The Pull of the Land" and the Harris Summer Festival

- Harris Museum & Watertower (Violet McNaughton, Ruby Rush, Dr. George,

- Harris-Tessier School (k-9) part of the Sun West School Division.

- Various businesses: Town & Country Grocery Store, Prairie Centre Credit Union, Angus Insurance, Harris Grill, Harris Hotel, Rex Variety Store, and Harris Town Office.

- Various Community Groups (i.e.) Lions, Legion, New Horizons Seniors Centre, School Community Council, Harris United Church.

The following is an excerpt from the Harris News, a weekly column about news in Harris written by Beth Robertson for the Rosetown Eagle.  (Monday, February 2, 2009)

The village appears to be sleeping as I write in this quiet time between the rush of Christmas and the celebrations that will ring in the new year.  As I listen to the radio programs that reflect on and assess the events of 2008, I ponder about our own community and the happenings that have had influence on and that in some way will shape its future. And so in my humble way of thinking may I suggest the following:

Saving Our School:  The closing of a school has significant effect on a community.  In the same way so does saving the school from closure.  It was through the efforts of many, and some well-prepared factual presentations that influence was brought to bear and the Sun West School Division Board decided that Harris Tessier Central School would remain open.  Our school is a lively and happening place.

Routes Gallery:  Routes Gallery has changed the appearance of Main Street in Harris and I predict that in the coming years it will change the village.  The cultural activities that will take place there will have an impact on who we are and how we think.

Harris Museum:  This Museum with its dedicated and hard working board has preserved the history of the community and displays it in a fashion second to none.  Always forward-thinking, the addition of the Nature Gallery with its displays and massive now-completed mural will draw even more people into town.

Newcomers:  More than 72 people have moved into Harris during the past  two years, some of them young families who would not likely have chosen Harris had there been no future for the school. We welcome them and invite them to become involved in the community.  With deaths and moves from town we have a net gain of 19.  The present population is 214.

Harris Community Centre:  Although it was officially opened last year, the addition of the lighted sign, carpeting and more rooms will make this excellent facility even more inviting.

“The Pull of the Land” and “The Pull of the Land—the Sequel”:  This dedicated group has its nucleus in Harris but individuals also drive from Biggar, Saskatoon, Rosetown and Langham.  They have now been working for six seasons with much personal sacrifice, bringing a message of hope, touting the beauty of Saskatchewan, showing the importance of our rural communities.  They bring many people into our community for performances and have raised money for various groups in town and around the province.