Artists wanted: YXE community colouring book accepting submissions

What does a better world look like? A Saskatoon artist is inviting other creatives in the city to help draw the answer.

A seasoned graphic designer with more than 15 years of experience, Mal Cloke only started making art “for fun” a few years ago — small sketches, paintings, pieces just for herself. But art quickly became more than a hobby. It became a way to process emotions, to unwind, to breathe.

Now, that quiet personal outlet has inspired her to create something much bigger: a collaborative, community-made colouring book that invites local artists to imagine a better world — and to draw it, together.

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Her idea is simple. A colouring book that anyone can contribute to, with all proceeds going to a local grassroots organization.

“I just hope that it brings more artists together to recognize different creative strengths,” Cloke shared. “Instead of feeling like you’re constantly competing with other artists, actually working together for something.”

Cloke is calling on artists of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels to submit a single black-and-white illustration — something meditative, soothing to colour and aligned with the theme “A Colouring Book for a Better World.”

Earlier this year, Cloke self-published “A Colouring Book for Spiralling (Adult) Minds” — a meditative mix of swirls, sketches and quiet chaos. It started as self-care. Now, it’s a spark for community creativity. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The idea was born out of frustration, but also hope.

“Right now it’s really hard for artists to get visibility on social media. Whether you’re a freelancer or you’re looking for full time work or whatever. It’s all about networking and who you know,” she explained. “I’m currently struggling with this, and I figured I’m probably not the only one.”

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Cloke’s own creative process is deeply rooted in emotional wellbeing. “Drawing, painting, any kind of creative writing is definitely what helps me process emotions,” she said. She describes colouring as a meditative therapy: “Kind of like paint by the numbers. If you really lean into it, it can help turn your brain off and relax.”

She hopes this colouring book can give others that same feeling — and do some good along the way.

“I’m going to donate the profits to an organization called Seventh Gen Rising Collective,” she said. “They’re a fairly new group who organizes mutual aid. I chose them because I see a lot of potential in what they could do, and they probably could benefit from some funding.”

The concept is simple: artists submit one original piece — new or existing — that reflects what a better world looks like to them. The only requirements? It must be your own work (no AI-generated art), primarily outlines in black and formatted to fit a 7×9 inch page.

More than just outlines — Cloke’s pages are visual invitations to slow down, breathe, and reconnect. Her new community project builds on that same idea. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Cloke will then compile the submissions into a locally printed colouring book to be sold at markets and through contributors. She’s aiming for 20 to 30 artists this round, with the hope that if it takes off, future editions will follow.

“I am pretty open to all kinds of art, to be honest, as long as you can draw something that might be meditative or soothing to colour,” Cloke said. “It also doesn’t matter how old you are, how much experience you have. If you want to be involved, you can send me an email and get involved. There are so many different kinds of artists and illustrators out there, and so I’m not about to exclude anyone.”

In a digital world where much of our creative work lives behind screens, Cloke is excited to create something tangible. “I am always just a big fan of having tangible, completed work in my hands,” she said. “Especially right now with a lot of digital stuff, I like having printed stuff.”

The call for submissions is open until Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. Artists are encouraged to include a short bio, their social media links, and an optional written piece — a poem, story or artist’s statement — to accompany their art.

At its core, this project isn’t just about colouring inside the lines.

It’s about drawing new ones. Lines that connect artists, build community and imagine what a better world could look like — one page at a time.

Mal Cloke, the artist behind a new community colouring project, believes art can do more than decorate walls — it can build bridges. Now, she’s inviting Saskatoon to draw a better world, together. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Want to get involved?

Submit your artwork by Sept. 12, 2025 to malcloke.studio@gmail.com.