CENTENNIAL LEGACY ART PIECE INTRODUCED IN LA RONGE

Residents, visitors and travelers passing through Saskatchewan's northern gateway community of La Ronge have another reason to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Chris St. Amand's centennial artwork entitled "Portage" was recently installed as a centennial gift from the province. As one of four centennial artworks to be installed in gateway communities, "Portage" draws on many characteristics of the province and surrounding communities.

"These four art pieces are gifts for the entire province to enjoy," Saskatchewan Centennial Chair and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said. "We're pleased that La Ronge has agreed to be the host community for this centennial legacy art piece, which will welcome the many visitors to our province, and remind our residents of our incredible centennial year."

Estevan, Lloydminster and Yorkton are also home to legacy art pieces. On behalf of Saskatchewan Centennial 2005, the Saskatchewan Arts Board conducted the call for artists, administered the adjudication process and worked with the artists through the project. Estevan will be the host community for Jefferson Little's "Spinning Prairie". Canada's only border city Lloydminster will be home to Douglas Bentham's "Sky Dance" and Yorkton receives Lionel Auburn Peyachew's "Doorways to Opportunity". Each piece showcases the diversity of Saskatchewan's artistic community and highlights different characteristics of our province and the host communities.

"Our Saskatchewan artists are an important part of our community," Saskatchewan Arts Board Executive Director Jeremy Morgan said. "To help celebrate their achievements, and in recognition of Saskatchewan's centennial, we are pleased to have been involved in presenting these gifts to the people of our province."

"Portage" is a larger than life steel and ferro cement sculpture. The artwork is surrounded by photographs and stories of life in northern Saskatchewan. The Town of La Ronge will be responsible for the piece, which has been installed in Patterson Park.

"This piece will be a starting point for many as they explore Saskatchewan's great north," St. Amand said. "I'm honoured to be a part of Saskatchewan's legacy celebrations and very proud to know that my piece will have a home in La Ronge in Saskatchewan's second century."

Additional information about the art installation, including photos, is available on Saskatchewan Centennial 2005's website at www.sask2005.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Chris Shauf Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Regina Phone: (306) 787-1254 Cell: (306)530-5775