Vandalized artwork in Saskatoon relocated

SASKATOON – A piece of art that was stolen about a month ago near the University of Saskatchewan has been found and reunited with its wolf pack.

The display comprised of 10 life-sized wolf sculptures used to be located on College Drive near Bottomley Avenue.

But on the night of Nov. 13, one wolf was stolen and two others damaged.

“We were really disappointed. We were really experimenting a little bit, perhaps took a bit of a risk,” said Kevin Kitchen, the city’s community initiatives manager.

“We really wanted to surprise the public and place the wolves in amongst some trees on College Drive. The idea was to surprise people on College Drive and by that there is this lovely art installation where you probably won’t otherwise see art.”

Missing for a month, the stolen art was found in a campus parking lot last week and reunited with the rest of the pack.

Unfortunately due to damage, the piece won’t be part of the display that is now overlooking the Meewasin Valley Authority skating rink.

“They will be installed on a building so there’s a bit of height, if there’s one thing we learned its sort of a little bit of distance between public art and patrons is a good idea,” said Kitchen.

The collection of wolves, known as INFRA, by Toronto artist Tonya Hart, is on temporary display as part of the City’s Placemaker Program.

The lease runs out at the end of April.