The plan for the 2nd Annual Paint With Pride on June 8 was to repaint the Pride sidewalk in front of ArtsForward in Neepawa, which had taken a beating over the winter. But when heavy rain made outdoor work impossible, the Neepawa Pride Committee quickly pivoted—turning the event into a community bench-painting project instead, so attendees could still come together and contribute to a meaningful Pride initiative.

Organiser Rhian Beever confirmed that the sidewalk repainting will take place throughout the week as the weather improves. This year’s update will include a special anti-slip additive to help maintain traction throughout the seasons.

The bench project, led by ArtsForward, has partnered with local artists and community groups to decorate benches placed around Neepawa for public use. While the exact location for the new Pride-themed bench hasn’t been finalized, once it’s completed and weatherproofed, it will likely be placed along one of the town’s main streets.

June 8 also marked the opening of Colour Outside the Lines, the first annual 2SLGBTQIA+ art exhibit at the Manawaka Gallery, complete with an artist meet-and-greet. Four featured artists were on hand to discuss their work, share what Pride Month means to them, and reflect on the movement’s roots in protest and resistance.

“I think it’s important to note that [erasure] is still something that we experience,” said artist and gallerist Nix Cristobal Calma. “So to be here and take up space at a time that is still really violent and oppressive toward queer folks—especially queer, racialized people—it’s even more important to show up. To show up for each other, but also just to show up for ourselves.”

Also this week, the Town of Neepawa held a flag-raising ceremony in Riverbend Park for the Philippine flag in celebration of Filipino Heritage Month and Philippine Independence Day on June 12. The main festivities will take place on June 14, featuring a parade and cultural festival at the Yellowhead Centre.

0:00 Intro
2:44 2nd Annual Paint With Pride
18:01 Raising of the Philippine Flag