Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Kevin Doherty joined the Saskatchewan Arts Board in celebrating its 65th anniversary with the announcement of two initiatives to bring Saskatchewan artwork to the forefront in the Legislative Building. Through a loan agreement with the Arts Board, 58 pieces by 43 Saskatchewan artists have been brought into the hallways and common spaces of the historic building. As well, Creative Play: The Saskatchewan Arts Board’s 65th Anniversary Touring Exhibition will be on display until April 23, 2013.

"Arts and culture reflect our shared experience and enrich our lives in a growing province," Doherty said. "For 65 years, the Saskatchewan Arts Board has been supporting Saskatchewan culture and is a source of great pride for the people of this province. This agreement to exhibit works from the Arts Board's Permanent Collection continues the momentum created by the artist-in-residence initiative in 2012 that helped to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Legislative Building and filled the rotunda alcoves with original artwork by Saskatchewan artists."

Work on loan to the Legislative Building from the Arts Board's Permanent Collection includes pieces by well-known Saskatchewan artists such as Bob Boyer, Dorothy Knowles, Marie Lannoo, Doug Morton, William Perehudoff, Allen Sapp, and David Thauberger. Artwork varies from textiles to oil paintings to a star blanket made from computer circuit boards.

"In this our 65th anniversary, the Saskatchewan Arts Board celebrates visual, media, performing, literary and Indigenous artists and their organizations. We do so through our granting system that enables the pursuit and realization of excellence in the arts, as well as through our Permanent Collection that makes the work of Saskatchewan artists accessible to the people of Saskatchewan," says Byrna Barclay, Chair of the Saskatchewan Arts Board. "This artwork will grace this magnificent building and showcase Saskatchewan talent to all who enter."

The Arts Board's Permanent Collection includes over 3,000 works by more than 600 artists and represents the work of Saskatchewan artists over the past six decades. Its goal is to represent the contemporary art practices of artists within the province for the purpose of public access. Artwork from the collection is included in exhibitions throughout the province and country, is loaned to organizations, and is rented to workplaces through the corporate Art Rental program.

The Creative Play exhibition is curated by visual artist Jennifer McRorie and features new acquisitions from the Permanent Collection. Through a partnership with the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC), it is touring 12 communities during the Arts Board's anniversary year, including North Battleford, Redvers, Biggar, Regina, Saskatoon, Shaunavon, Regina Beach, La Ronge, Leader, Melfort, Prince Albert and Outlook.

The Saskatchewan Arts Board was established in 1948 as the first agency of its kind in North America and second in the world to the Arts Council of Great Britain. In the decades since then, it has continued as a leader in Canada and builds on this strong tradition to meet ongoing opportunities for public investment in the arts community. The Arts Board's mission is to cultivate an environment in which the arts thrive for the benefit of everyone in Saskatchewan.

Above:

Joe Fafard
Reveille, 2012
Unique, Powder Coated Laser Cut Steel

Located in the Saskatchewan Gallery, Saskatchewan Legislative Building