ST. WALBURG HERITAGE PLAQUE UNVEILED

A plaque designating the Imhoff Studio and Farm Site near St. Walburg as a Provincial Heritage Property was unveiled today by the Government of Saskatchewan.

Heritage property designation recognizes and protects Saskatchewan's historic places.

"These designations speak to the history and development of Saskatchewan," Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said on behalf of Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty. "When we preserve our heritage, we tell the story of people and their efforts in building this province."

The Imhoff Studio and Farm Site was home to Count Berthold Von Imhoff, an internationally-acclaimed painter, who settled in Saskatchewan in 1914. His grandson, Bert Imhoff, and his grandson's wife, Phyllis, live on the property.

Imhoff lived and painted on the St. Walburg site, which deeply influenced his work, until his death in 1939. Imhoff is best known for his religious paintings, many of which appear in churches across Saskatchewan including the ceiling of St. Peter's Cathedral in Muenster.

The Imhoff Studio and Farm Site symbolizes the province's artistic and cultural development and is further valued for its status as a rare example of a purpose-built artist's studio. It became the 40th provincially designated heritage property earlier this year, but the plaque unveiling was held in conjunction with a special Imhoff Society event.

To view all the provincial heritage sites, go to www.cyr.gov.sk.ca and follow the Heritage links. Individuals and organizations are also encouraged to nominate properties they believe have provincial heritage significance.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Carlos Germann Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306)787-5772