Discover the hidden stories behind Saskatoon’s Remai Modern art gallery, its inclusive exhibits, meet the artists, and the vault that holds its vast collection, including a surprising Picasso connection.
As I walked up to the entrance of the Remai Modern Art Gallery, situated elegantly on the banks of the South Saskatchewan on the edge of downtown Saskatoon, I looked up to find a boldly printed sign above the door.
“Everyone is Welcome,” the sign stated.
This approachable and accessible message drove my experience at Saskatoon’s most prestigious art gallery. Its message and approach tell the tale of a city where inclusion is prized and a community that takes its strength from its people.
I visited Remai Modern on an off day. Having been invited to tour the museum by the collections’ public relations manager, Stephanie McKay. On my visit, I would get a deep dive into what drove the growth and accessibility of this Saskatoon art gallery, as well as get a surprising and engaging behind-the-scenes look at art in motion.
Art For Everyone
The story of Remai Modern began with the Mendel Art Gallery. One of Saskatchewan’s greatest collections ran for 51 years between 1964 and 2015. That collection began with 13 paintings donated by Saskatchewan’s meat packing mogul, Fred Mendel, and his family.
McKay explained that the Remai Modern collection was started with just two works of art donated in 1947 and 1955 to the former Saskatoon Art Centre. The works are still on display on the second floor of the gallery, The Blue House by Henri Masson and Visitors are Invited to Register by Alex Colville. McKay joked that the team had moved into the Remai Modern’s predecessor, the Mendel Art Gallery, “holding one painting under each arm.”
It didn’t take long for the collection to explode both in popularity and collection. Today, Remai Modern houses more than 8,000 pieces in its collection.
The Remai Modern Art Gallery has always had a people-first approach to artwork. On October 22, 2023, the gallery decided to double down on its belief by making the gallery available to everyone with an “admission by donation” policy.
Mckay stated, “Saskatoon is a diverse city, and we wanted to ensure that every member of the community could experience the inspiring collection that the gallery has on display.” Since moving to the admission by donation-format, the gallery’s attendance has exploded by 82%.
Behind The Scenes At Remai Modern
I had the unique opportunity to step behind the scenes at Remai Modern to meet some of its artists and explore the gallery vault, which holds the vast majority of its collection or artwork.
My visit started with an introduction to Canadian artist Amalie Atkins, who specializes in cinematography and fabric-based sculptures. Atkins grew up in rural Manitoba before moving to Saskatchewan. Atkins showed us her 2008 film “Three Minute Miracle,” which is currently being shown at Remai Modern. The dreamlike work following a girl’s personal journey of fantasy and rebellion against a conservative upbringing was light, positive, and set to music that drew me in and wouldn’t let me go.
In the most Saskatchewan of twists, my friend Darby Sutherland, who had accompanied me to the gallery pointed out that Jess Forrest, who had a starring role in several of Atkins’ films was a childhood friend. A nod to just how small the population of the vast Canadian prairies truly is.
Three Minute Miracle featured a quirky cast of characters in various animal masks that were inspired by masks that Atkins created to brave the biting cold Saskatoon winds on her walks between her downtown home and her studio.
The film was shot on 16mm film, a favourite of the artist due to its stability, portability, and reliability.
Stepping Inside The Vault
One of the most powerful moments of my visit to the Remai Modern was when the gallery’s registrar, Jillian Cyca brought us into one of the gallery’s hidden vaults where the vast majority of Remai’s 8,000 works of art are kept while not on display.
As our small group stepped into the room, I could see a light of excitment reach Amalie’s eyes. There, on the processing table, surrounded by countless incredible works of local artwork, were several of the props and costumes from her films. Atkin’s had donated these to the gallery years before, and the items were being prepared and curated for storage.
The journey of emotions that we witnessed from Atkins was as emotional an experience as any of the wonderful pieces of art spread throughout the gallery’s three floors. When I asked Atkins about her thoughts on her film props becoming a part of the gallery’s collection, she smiled and stated that she “loves the idea that her performance gets to live on both through the films that I created as well as the props that helped to make them a reality.” She also loved that the gallery holding her work would remove the burden on her children on how to manage her legacy as she ages.
Art In Action
On the main floor of Remai Modern, visitors can enjoy the unique opportunity to experience the artistic creation process through a rotating series of artists who create artwork right on the premises.
During my visit, Jillian Ross and a team of dedicated printmakers were hard at work creating a complex series of printwork collages. The brainchild of South African artist William Kentridge, who had reached out to Saskatoon-based Ross due to her experience perfecting detailed and out-of-the-box printing.
Visitors to the gallery can interact with the artists, ask questions, and see the creation process first-hand.
Exhibits
Among the many surprises awaiting me on my stroll through Remai Modern was the diversity of exhibits on display. Among the most shocking was that the gallery houses the most comprehensive collection of linocuts by Spanish surrealist Pablo Picasso. I’ve always been a fan of Picasso, and I even took my children to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, Spain, just so that we could wander through some of his collections.
Among the many other pieces of artwork on display are 13 works from the Mendel Collection focusing on Canadian features such as Autumn, Bon Echo by Arthur Lismer and Untitled (mountains near Jasper) by Lawren S. Harris.
The gallery also houses a growing collection of Indigenous artwork, a category that is a focus of Remai’s growth. Some of the most notable pieces include Face by Roger Aksadjuak, a stone carving, and Susie Littlewolf, a stunning photographic portrait by Beckie Mackie James.
Culinary Artistry
Saskatoon’s culinary scene is among the city’s most important traits. In 2023, Beth Rogers and Thayne Robstad, the owners of the city’s most celebrated restaurant, opted to join creative forces with Remai Modern and moved from their small location on Melrose Avenue to a new location on the first floor of Remai Modern.
Hearth Restaurant began life as a neighbourhood gem and was soon recognized as one of Canada’s top 100 restaurants in 2022. Their menu of unpretentious, delicious prairie food is a perfect parallel to Remai Modern’s accessible, community-focused experience.
Darby and I had the pleasure of dining at Hearth, getting a taste of their delightful mocktails and casual faire done differently, such as their pike and pickerel fish fry, cucumber salad, and mushroom dip. For our mains, I enjoyed their creative pork belly while Darby dined on Hearth’s popular Potato and ricotta agnolotti.
Remai Modern: Art For Everyone
The Remai Modern Art Gallery stands as a testament to Saskatchewan’s cultural scene. The gallery’s commitment to accessibility ensures everyone in and visiting Saskatoon can experience the exciting and ever-growing collection. You can find out more about the gallery on their website.
With renowned works by Picasso and captivating contemporary pieces by local artists, Remai Modern offers a window into the creative expressions of the Prairies.
The on-site Hearth Restaurant completes the experience with its celebration of Saskatchewan’s culinary heritage. Here, delicious food complements the artistic feast, making Remai Modern a true cultural hub.
Remai Modern isn’t just an art gallery; it’s a beating heart for the Saskatoon community. It’s a place where inspiration ignites, creativity flourishes, and everyone feels welcome. So, step through the doors, embrace the spirit of “Everyone is Welcome,” and embark on your own artistic adventure.
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Disclosure: My visit to Remai Modern was in partnership with Discover Saskatoon. All opinions remain my own.
Kevin Wagar is a founder and editor of We Explore Canada. He has been working in the travel media industry since 2015 when he founded his family travel website Wandering Wagars – Adventure Family Travel.
Over the years Kevin has developed a deep love for his home country and aims to showcase the incredible experiences and amazing small businesses found within it.