Cara Gay Driscoll was born in 1946 in Regina, Saskatchewan. From 1962 to 1986 she was a full-time mother and homemaker, while also managing part-time bookkeeping and painting. However, in 1986 Driscoll attended the University of Regina, initially to pursue painting but soon discovering an interest in clay. In 1993, Driscoll went to the University of Northern Territory in Australia to work under Jack Sures.
Driscoll's hand-coiled vessels require a significant amount of time and intense dedication to complete. Using this traditional technique, Driscoll creates works that reflect historical, spiritual, and natural themes. Her 2000 exhibition The Forgotten Women of the Bible was inspired by a desire to give voice to biblical women, while 2003-2005's The Path to Mary seeks to acknowledge the contributions that others have to making art meaningful.
Driscoll's pieces have been exhibited at several galleries including the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery (Waterloo) and the Assiniboia Gallery (Regina). Recently, her work was also part of the 2010-2011 traveling exhibition “Prairie Excellence.”
Television broadcaster, theatre artist, academic, and social activist Rita Shelton Deverell was born in Houston, Texas in 1945. In 1967 she moved to Canada and in 1972 began her career in television as the producer of a children's program.
In 1974 Rita joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a host for the program 'Take 30'. She came to Saskatchewan as an actress on the Globe Theatre School Tour in 1971-72, was a tenured Professor and Acting Director of the University of Regina's School of Journalism, and later became one of the founders of the Canadian television network Vision TV. She was Head of Production and noted for wearing a flower in her hair when she hosted programs.
Rita Deverell served as news and current affairs director for the Aboriginal peoples Television Network from 2002 to 2005, mentoring her Aboriginal successor, and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2005 for "pioneering innovation and creativity" and for her "unceasing drive for social justice."
Rita has a doctorate from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, is the founding Chair of the Advisory Board of Canadian Multicultural Radio, has served as an adjudicator-at-large for the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, and is a board member of the Media Awareness Network.
In 2001-02 Rita was the University of Western Ontario's Reader's Digest Visiting Professor of Journalism, she was also a Visiting Scholar (with Neil Postman) in New York University's Department of Culture and Communication.
She is on the MacLean's Honour Roll of Outstanding Canadians, is a two time Gemini Award winner, is in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, has been on the Board of the Obsidian Theatre Company in Toronto, was the first holder of the CanWest Global Fellowship at the University of Western Ontario in 2007, and Nancy's Chair in Women's Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University from 2009-2011.
Rex Deverell began his working career in 1967 as the pastor of a small Baptist church in southern Ontario. Drama, both religious and secular, played an important role even in those days through acting, directing, writing.
In 1968 Deverell's "The Invitation" won the Playwrights' Award from the University of Western Ontario. He wrote several plays in the following few years. By 1970 he resigned his pastorate and devoted himself to theatre. From 1970 to 1975 Deverell and his family lived in Regina and Toronto. This same period also saw the production of plays for young audiences such as "Sam and the Tigers", "Shortshrift", "Copetown City Kite Crisis" and "Sarah's Play".
In 1975 Regina’s Globe Theatre, southern Saskatchewan's premiere theatre company, appointed Deverell as Playwright-in-Residence. He held this position until October 1989 when he moved to Toronto. "Boiler Room Suite" was produced in 1976. In 1978 this play won the Canadian Authors' Award. It enjoyed great success, became the libretto for an opera, and travelled to Vancouver, Toronto and London, England among other cities.
Deverell has served in various provincial and national organizations, including the Playwrights Union of Canada, the Guild of Canadian Playwrights. He was was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Playwrights' Centre
Kathryn (Kate) Anne Davis was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1951. She attended Bradley University from 1969 to 1973 where she graduated with an undergraduate degree in art history. From 1974 to 1976 Davis attended the University of Chicago for graduate studies in art history, with a focus on contemporary art. From 1977 to 1980 Davis attended the University of New Mexico. After finishing her graduate studies she moved to Canada in 1981 and in 1982 she got job as Registrar at the Edmonton Art Gallery. She later advanced to the role of Photography/Curatorial Manager. It was here that she realized her calling as a museum administrator and started her successful and fulfilling life long career.
Davis moved to Calgary in 1986 after accepting the Director of Programs job at the Glenbow Museum. In 1993 Davis moved to Manitoba where she worked as the Deputy Director at the Winnipeg Gallery. In 1997, Davis became the Director of the Mackenzie Art Gallery in Regina. During her twelve years working there, Davis transformed the traditional art gallery into an institution not only of excellence and high quality, but also a gallery with strong community and local cultural connections. An example of this is the artist-led programs directed at youth in the inner cities and reserves.
From 2000 to 2004 Davis served as the President of the Canadian Art Museum Directors Organization (CAMDO). Davis was a board member for the Canadian Museum Association and for the International Council of Museums. Davis also belonged to many professional committees and juries related to the art community.
Davis received several honours for her work; the highest was being inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Museums Association in 2009. She also received many awards over her life including: the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal (2005), City of Regina’s Mayor's Award for Business and the Arts (2006) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Museums Association of Saskatchewan (2010).
Davis retired from the Mackenzie Art Gallery in 2008. In 2009 Davis took a special assignment at the Art Gallery of Ontario, hoping change in career would bring her personal growth. However, Davis became ill with a progressive cancer and died in October 21, 2010.