SASKATOON – It may by still be under construction, but the new art gallery in Saskatoon has a brand name.
The $74.2 million gallery at River Landing will be known as Remai Modern, Art Gallery of Saskatchewan.
“The principle of thought leadership underpins the brand and this is expressed through the new name, which also encapsulates the current transformation of Saskatoon,” said Gregory Burke, CEO and executive director of the gallery.
“In many ways, the new gallery will trumpet the arrival of Saskatoon 2.0.”
Burke said the new name has been embraced by lead patron Ellen Remai, along with stakeholders, and reflects the modern era which began in the 1860s.
Remai donated $30 million to the project; $15 million towards construction of the building and $500,000 annually for 30 years to go towards exhibition programming.
She also donated her collection of Picasso linocuts, worth about $20 million, to the new gallery.
Burke also said the name acknowledges the legacy of the Mendel family. Fred Mendel donated works by the Group of Seven in 1965, artists who Burke said lead the modernist revolution in the development of Canadian art.
“The modernist spirit of the Mendel family will live on at Remai Modern.”
The gallery is scheduled to open in June 2016.
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