Saskatchewan Artist

Hazel Grenkie

Hazel Grenkie was born in Zealandia, Saskatchewan in 1916. Initially a teacher, Grenkie taught at schools in the small communities of Bounty and Kerrobert. Beginning in 1964 and and continuing for nearly two decades, Grenkie took art courses at the University of Saskatchewan with artists such as Andrew Hudson, Donald McNamee, Otto Rogers, Mina Forsyth, Reta Cowley, Bill Epp, Eli Bornstein, Stanley Day, and Charles Ringness. Studying printmaking, drawing, painting, and sculpture, Grenkie became comfortable with a variety of media. She also taught courses herself, including through Prairie West Community College (1975-1979).

Grenkie's work was exhibited in group and solo exhibitions across Saskatchewan. A solo exhibition of her prints and acrylic paintings was held at Saskatoon's Mendel Art Gallery in 1972. In 1983, Saskatoon's Cranston Galleries held a retrospective of her work, and Rosetown Art Gallery and Museum in Rosetown, Saskatchewan held another retrospective the following year. In addition to private collections, Grenkie's works can be found in the collections of the Star Phoenix (Saskatoon), Walter Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre (Edmonton) and Guarantee Trust Company (Edmonton). Her work won awards at the Watrous Art Salon (1972, 1974), and Grenkie received a grant from the Saskatchewan Arts Board in 1982.

In addition to creating her own artwork, Grenkie was involved in Saskatchewan's arts community as an instructor, guest artist (at Rosetown Art Gallery and Museum in 1983), and adjudicator for art exhibitions of the Saskatchewan Department of Culture and Youth and the Federated Cooperatives. She also wrote the document “Guidelines for Printmaking” for the Saskatchewan Craft Council.

Hazel Grenkie passed away in 2005 in Saskatoon.