Bulrushes

William H. Lobchuk was born in Neepawa, Manitoba in 1942. He studied with Ken Lochhead at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a Diploma of Art in 1966.

In 1968, Lobchuk opened the Screen Shop at 50 Princess Street in Winnipeg. By the early 1970s, he operated the Screen Shop, the Printmakers Gallery, and the Sunnyside Sign Company. In 1973, with partner Len Anthony, he formed the Grand Western Canadian Screen Shop, the first print shop of its kind in Western Canada.

From 1973 to 1987, the Grand Western Canadian Screen Shop served as a printmaking production and distribution center for artists from the Prairies and across Canada. Artists who worked at the shop included Ted Howorth, Chris Finn, Don Proch, and Tony Tascona from Winnipeg; David Thauberger, Victor Cicansky, Joe Fafard, and Russell Yuristy from Saskatchewan; and Pierre Ayot from Quebec, among others.

Lobchuk and other artists at the shop created two significant cooperative projects: The Great Western Canadian Series '78 and Series '80. Works from the screen shop were exhibited internationally in Poland, Yugoslavia, Holland, Norway, and Japan.

Lobchuk was active in arts organizations throughout his career. He served as President of Canadian Artists' Representation (CARFAC) Manitoba from 1972-1975, national representative from 1976-1978, and national director from 1978-1980. He was a member of the Manitoba Arts Council from 1974-1976 and served on Canada Council Art Bank juries from 1973-1989. He taught printmaking at the University of Manitoba from 1973-1974 and served as Executive Director of the Jack Chambers Memorial Foundation from 2002-2007.

Lobchuk was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1996. His work is held in public collections including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the MacKenzie Art Gallery. He is represented by Fleet Galleries and Guevich Fine Art Gallery in Winnipeg and Slate Fine Art Gallery in Regina.