The latest exhibit at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum's (EAGM) Gallery No. 1 is "Trifecta," which is a collaborative effort from a couple of women.

Shirley Brown and Barb Flemington are artists from southwest Manitoba who are part of an art group named the “Coterie of Malcontents.” Brown, Flemington and another member of the Coterie, Fay Jelly, are known in southwest Manitoba art circles as the Trifecta.

Jelly was unable to bring her work to Estevan for the exhibit due to a broken pelvis that she suffered during the Christmas break.

An opening reception for “Trifecta” was held on February 15.

Brown and Flemington have brought a compilation of the work that they have completed individually over the years. Flemington has a series of her multi-media and silk screen prints in Estevan. She has moved into installations, but they aren't included in the "Trifecta" exhibit.

“They're personal (in nature), but people can relate to them,” said Flemington. “A lot of them have to do with our role as women.”

Brown started out as a painter when she first became serious about her artwork. Her art ranges from disaster scenes such as fires and tornadoes, to portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II. Her latest emphasis has been on birds.

“I think my art, especially with the birds, has been about regaining personal power, or the ability to do what I wanted, because as a woman of my age, you're always expected to do what you're expected to do,” said Brown.

This is one of the first times that they have had a joint exhibit.

None of Trifecta's members went to art school. Rather, they attribute their abilities to a combination of being self-taught artists, while being mentored and receiving professional critiques through art camps.

“Faye and I knew each other for quite a while, because we met in art classes,” said Flemington. “We painted together. And then we met Shirley through art.”

“It's the art that brought us together,” said Brown.

Now they are mentoring other aspiring artists. 

All three members of the Trifecta knew EAGM curator-director Amber Andersen when Andersen was working at a gallery in southwest Manitoba.

"Trifecta" will remain at the EAGM until March 28.