Remai Modern

Remai Modern is the modern and contemporary art museum of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and it stands at River Landing on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River, at the foot of the downtown. It opened in 2017, replacing the older Mendel Art Gallery, and the new building was designed by KPMB Architects of Toronto with a local firm. The museum has quickly become one of the main cultural landmarks of the city, and its glass and metal exterior, with a long cantilevered section, is the most distinctive new building on the waterfront.

The building is meant to open itself to the river. A large glazed lobby and upper galleries look over the water, and from some viewpoints the city and the Delta Bessborough hotel appear in the distance. The galleries inside are flexible, bright rooms, with high ceilings and large windows in some areas and darker rooms for film, sound and light-sensitive works. A restaurant and a shop are part of the building, and the museum’s terraces and surrounding riverside paths are used by locals for walks.

The collection focuses on modern and contemporary art from Canada and around the world. It includes a notable group of linocut prints by Pablo Picasso, donated by a local couple, which is among the largest public collections of its kind and gives the museum international interest. Other holdings include works by Saskatchewan and prairie artists, Indigenous artists, and Canadian and international figures from the twentieth century to the present. The museum has worked to highlight Indigenous voices, and its exhibitions often present new commissions and recent acquisitions alongside historical material.

Exhibitions change regularly, with a mix of touring shows, themed displays drawn from the collection, and projects by individual artists. The museum also runs talks, workshops, family programs, films and performances, and it hosts community events that bring in people who may not usually visit galleries. Late openings and special evenings give the building a social side, and many visitors come for the combination of art, food and view.

The setting is part of the pleasure. River Landing has a farmers’ market, gardens, a theatre and walking paths, and the Meewasin Valley Trail runs right past the museum, so a visit combines well with a walk along the river. Bessborough Gardens and the old downtown are a short stroll away. Visitors should allow an hour or two inside, longer if you stay for a meal.

Opening days, hours and admission arrangements change with the season and the exhibition schedule, so check the museum’s website before you go. The museum suits art lovers, families, architecture fans and anyone interested in contemporary culture on the prairies.