Jerome was born in England, raised in Prince Albert and he had a love for art at a young age. He was known as the class artist during his school years and later went on to train in commercial art in Brandon, Man.
“As a young man working at Anglin Rouyn mine, his first foray into the North, he was intrigued by the vivid colours, textures, and patterns that were found within the drill cores,” Ulriksen explained in her speech.
“That moment sparked his creative imagination and passion for art.”
Throughout the years, Jerome worked as a graphic artist, owned and operated a sign and screen-printing shop in North Battleford, created signage for 51 Safeway stores, taught classes in Ile-a-la Crosse where students created murals and sandblasted cedar signs, and taught art in La Ronge.
A major highlight for Jerome came in 2005 when Queen Elizabeth II unveiled his Saskatchewan Centennial Mural at the Legislature Building in Regina. The mural shows a First Nations couple canoeing on a river in the forest of Northern Saskatchewan.
“Through art, storytelling, and laughter, Roger Jerome continues to live a life full of colour and texture, much like those first drill cores that sparked his creative journey so many years ago,” Ulriksen noted.
“His creativity, generosity, and humour have left an indelible mark on the people and places of the North.”
Jerome is currently working on two pieces for the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Council’s upcoming Invisible Winds exhibit. He also has a number of unfinished pieces he’d like to complete sometime soon.
If anyone is interested in purchasing Jerome’s art, he has a couple of pieces currently for sale at Air Ronge’s Cravings Late Night Food.
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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com
