REMAI MODERN ART GALLERY OF SASKATCHEWAN.... IS BECOMING

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Remai Modern opening

After an extensive, nine-month strategic planning process involving artists, community stakeholders, donors, board members, government officials at both municipal and provincial levels, and many other groups, a new brand is born from the former Mendel Art Gallery.

Remai Modern CEO, Gregory Burke, is pleased to officially announce today that the new gallery currently under construction will be known as Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan.

"This announcement today truly is a benchmark in the shaping and developing of this new institution," Burke said. "For so many reasons, the new brand name, Remai Modern, is a reflection of the appetite and energy for change and growth in the province, but this will not be a regional or even a national gallery. Remai Modern will reflect global art movements interpreted through a Saskatchewan lens - a unique viewpoint and approach."

That viewpoint starts with the building and the architects. Bruce Kuwabara and his award-winning team, the Toronto firm KPMB, have a clear vision for the building; it includes honouring the Prairie modern style of architecture that was launched by Frank Lloyd Wright at the beginning of the 20^th century. The building plans show a sleek, modernist structure embraced by the banks of the South Saskatchewan River.

To that end, the stated vision for the new gallery is very clear and concise.

Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan is a thought leader and direction setting modern art gallery that boldly collects, develops, presents and interprets the art of our time. Our mandate is to enable transformative experiences by connecting art with local and global communities.

Burke said, "We are working towards becoming an institution that curates, interprets, engages with and exhibits dynamic modern and contemporary world art from a Saskatchewan point of view. I'd like to think that our view will encompass our Prairie roots and 'small town' way of life within an expanding, international mindset.

"At the end of the day, we want all of the visitors coming to the gallery to walk away feeling like they have had a worthwhile experience ... a kind of 'must-share' encounter that's been eye-opening, beautiful, disruptive and creative. If we can do that, we will have achieved our goals," Burke said.