SASKATCHEWAN'S ARTISTS OFF TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL

The Government of Saskatchewan is wishing Saskatchewan artists - musicians, performers, writers, dancers and visual artists - all the best as they leave for the Prairie Scene Festival in Ottawa.

"I know Saskatchewan artists are going to be the talk of the town in Ottawa and the entire National Capital Region," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Bill Hutchinson said. "From April 26 to May 8, Saskatchewan artists will be entertaining audiences and impressing talent scouts and booking agents from all over Canada."

Government's direct investment in Prairie Scene will give established and emerging artists and leaders in the province's creative industries a chance to be seen and heard on the national and international stage. In all, more than two hundred Saskatchewan artists of every discipline will be performing, attending or displaying their work during the festival.

During Prairie Scene, Saskatchewan is hosting a number of additional activities to further share the Saskatchewan story. Tourism Saskatchewan is setting up their famous green screen so residents and visitors in the nation's capital can take a memory of Saskatchewan home with them. A smash success at the Saskatchewan Pavilion at the 2010 Vancouver games, the green screen will be set up in the lobby of the National Arts Center throughout the festival, allowing people to have their photograph taken with Saskatchewan props and backgrounds.

Once again, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Saskatchewan's arts community are partnering. The successful cross-promotion of arts and sports was highlighted last year when five works of art were created to celebrate 100 years of Rider Pride. Now, representatives of the Riders are heading to Ottawa to help host an impromptu touch football game and continue to make the connection between arts, culture and sport. After the football game, participants can enjoy a Prairie Social, hosted by Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Saskatchewan residents can follow all of the activities during the 13-day festival through the Prairie Scene blog at prairiescene.sasktourism.com or through a link on the government Saskatchewan website.

A complete and detailed program and schedule of events, including artist profiles, can be found at www.prairiescene.ca/.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Jennifer Johnson
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0619
Email: jennifer.johnson@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-5805