Public Art at River Landing Phase 1

When River Landing was conceived, the idea was to create a link between the city and its River. Part of that connection is fostered by public art. Since construction on River Landing began, a variety of public art pieces have been installed, and there are still more to come. The following outlines some of the pieces that you can now see.

Prairie Wind: In 2006, the City of Saskatoon celebrated its centennial. To help celebrate this important event the 2006 International Century Plaza landmark competition was launched. The winning design was Prairie Wind, 25 steel poles insprired by prairie grasses, designed by Jyhling Lee and Paul Koopman. Prairie Wind is best appreciated at night, when the poles are lit up.

River Landing Tree Grates: This project was completed by the City of Saskatoon Urban Design and First Nation Elder consultants and focuses on the symbolism of the medicine wheel. The tree grates are separated into four parts to represent important aspects of Aboriginal culture such as the four seasons and the four directions. The four themes to this work are home, storytelling, play, and ceremony.

Launch Time: The seven boat hulls coming out of the ground at River Landing were done by the Prairie Design Group (consisting of Mel Bolen, Charley Farrero, Michael Hosaluk, and Sean Walley.) This interactive piece is designed to engage the community, spark imagination, and encourage conversation on the role and purpose of public art.

A "School" of Fish: With guidance from Meewasin's artist-in-residence, Laura Hale, school children in Saskatoon assembled these fish tiles surrounding the water play feature. The fish tell the story of the journey of fish migration from the Rocky Mountains to Hudson Bay.

Cut-Out of Time: Walking under the Traffic Bridge is a good time to think about river transportation, and Elizabeth Yonza's work depicts the River's many modes of transportation. All types of river transportation are reflected, including dragon boats, rowboats, barges, canoes, and steamboats. The piece was officially unveiled on June 13, 2008.

"The Founder" The Meeting of John Lake and Chief Whitecap: Unveiled on June 20, 2008, this piece depicts the momentous meeting between John Lake and Chief Whitecap. John Lake founded the city of Saskatoon as the leader of the Temperance colonization Society, but only after meeting and discussing a location with Chief Whitecap, leader of the Dakota people. The sculpture was done by Hans Holtkamp.