CENTENNIAL LEGACY ART PIECE INTRODUCED IN ESTEVAN

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

Jefferson Little's centennial artwork entitled "Spinning Prairie" was recently installed as a centennial gift from the province. As one of four centennial artworks to be installed in gateway communities, "Spinning Prairie" 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 Estevan 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."

In the coming, weeks three other legacy art pieces will be introduced in La Ronge, Lloydminster and Yorkton. 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. La Ronge will be the host community for Chris St. Amand's "Portage". 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."

"Spinning Prairie" is a kinetic whirly-gig measuring approximately 28 feet high. Like a windmill, Spinning Prairie has rotating fan blades, which are represented by the petals of a Western Red Lily and by flames and fossils illustrating the abundant oil and natural gas reserves in the area. The City of Estevan will be responsible for the piece, which has been installed on Highway 39 near Estevan Tourism's Tourist Information Centre.

"Through this project, I learned more about myself as an artist and the province I live in," Little 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 Estevan 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