On this day in 1964, The Mendel Art Gallery and Conservatory opening included a viewing of 65 paintings from Fred Mendel’s collection.
From the StarPhoenix archives:
The idea of combining an art gallery with a conservatory, had been truly “a stroke of genius” an audience of invited guests to the opening of the Mendel Art Gallery was told Friday evening.
The new Mendel Art Gallery and Civic Conservatory was formally opened when civic and provincial dignitaries, artists, and many private citizens gathered at the new centre to take part in the opening ceremonies, and view a part of the Mendel art collection.
It was a night for eulogies to many private and public individuals and most of all to Fred Mendel, who had contributed so generously of time and talent, through the years, to a project which had culminated in the construction of “this unique building. One which would represent the heart and soul of the city,” Sid Buckwold, chairman, said. …
The Mendel Art Centre was the culmination of the dreams and efforts of many people, but most of all it was the culmination of the dreams of one man, Fred Mendel. Mr. Mendel had come to Saskatoon in 1940. He was one of the very few men who had been able successfully to blend his business career, family life, sporting and cultural interests into a single, unified whole. Through his generosity and “design to achieve in this city some of the dreams he had had down through his life,” the gallery was now open to the public and would become not only one of the number one tourist attractions of this city but of this province, Mr. Buckwold said.
Mrs. J.J. MacDermid, president of the Saskatoon Art Centre, reviewed the growth and developing interest in art through the years, in Saskatoon. The coming of Fred Mendel with his family, to Saskatoon, in 1940 had been the most important single event in the cultural life of this city, she said. He had given the citizens the opportunity of seeing for themselves, in his fine collection, gathered from all over the world, “really fine works of art. As time went on he added to his collection and it became world famous, and Saskatoon was very proud,” Mrs. MacDermid said. …
“I could not visualize it would be so beautiful,” Mr. Mendel told his audience. “I am in love, not for the first time,” he laughed, “but I am in love with this beautiful building and the perfect site on which it has been set on the bank of the river. This beautiful creation of a gallery and conservatory combined in one unique building will be one of the beautiful spots of the world. It cannot be created again. There is only one.”
Throwback Thursday is a weekly StarPhoenix series where we revisit photos from Saskatoon’s past.
The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark thestarphoenix.com and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.