Saskatoon art lovers say goodbye to the Mendel

It was a day of mixed feelings for many art lovers who came to the Mendel Gallery to say goodbye. Sunday was the last day the building was open as a public gallery. The new gallery space at River Landing won't be ready until 2016. 

"There's a lot of excitement, anticipation about making that transition," said Sandra Fraser, acting chief curator at the Mendel Art Gallery.

But she said the gallery is a place that has a familiar, homey feel to it, a place where she sees artists and visitors on a regular basis. "So when the doors close tomorrow that will be one thing we really miss," said Fraser. 

'Important part of the fabric of the community'

Fraser said the building is a terrific example of 1960s architecture. As a curator, her favourite space is the salon. As an ordinary person visiting the building, she said the views of the river are one of its greatest features. "I love that, being able to see outside and be connected with my surroundings." 

Fraser added. "It's really an important part of the fabric of the community."  

Meanwhile, Charmaine McBain and her mother Brenda had tears in their eyes as they spoke about the doors to the Mendel closing. 

"It's a landmark, it's a tradition for my family, for my mom and I," she said. 

McBain said she and her mother have been coming for years, and she doesn't like that the location and the name are changing.

'This place, this building, this spot on the river.' 

Elaine Smycniuk and her daughter Audrey said they had to see the gallery for the last time. 

Elaine remembers bringing Audrey and her other children to take art classes at the gallery. She used to bring her students to the building as well to expose them to visual arts and the conservatory. "The Mendel Art Gallery is part of my life," she said. 

Audrey Smycniuk said it's her favourite building in the city. 

"This place, this building, this spot on the river. It's just so special."

Audrey said she is slightly disappointed that the gallery has to move to a new location.

"That being said, change is inevitable."

The gallery will move into its new River Landing space in 2016, and it will be known as the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan. The staff will continue operating out of the current Mendel space while the new gallery is under construction. As for the current Mendel building, it will eventually be home to the new Children's Museum.