From painters to songwriters, many are finding a spotlight for their work at the Winkler Arts and Culture Centre in the former water treatment plant at the heart of the city.

Continuing their mandate is newly elected WAC Chairperson Tomm Penner.

"I'm really excited about what Winkler Arts and Culture is doing in the community," Penner says. "We're connecting creatives."

Penner joined the board at WAC's first open house last summer, shortly after the former water treatment plant was renovated into an art gallery.

He says the dedicated building to the arts is changing Winkler's reputation.

"If you would've asked me one year ago, "do we live in a very creative area?" I would've said, "I don't think so" ... where are the artists? There's never been a place for them to showcase their work."

"If you don't have a stage, you're not going to hear an artist perform. Winkler Arts and Culture is a stage," he says. "It's very valuable."

WAC Secretary Deb Penner says he has been a great addition to the board.

"Tomm is an artist himself and we are confident that, combined with his strengths as a businessman, will help take the organization to another level."

She also acknowledged the work by past Chair Ray Derksen.

"As we move into this new era, we want to recognize and thank Ray Derksen who chaired the group for the last six years," she says. "His unrelenting vision and dreams for the gallery building brought us to this point and we will always be grateful for his hard work."