Mendel's Murals

Mendel's Murals is an entrepreneurial, non-profit public arts group. We enable Saskatoon public art projects which might be difficult for individuals or institutions. We initially came together to save the Perehudoff murals commissioned by Fred Mendel for his Meat Packing Plant offices, which were demolished in 2008. Our success in that project motivated us to continue pursuing public art works meaningful to Saskatoon. We are not affiliated with the former Mendel Art Gallery.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Possible Home for the Murals!

Last night Art Knight addressed city council to clarify plans for the new art gallery at River Landing. Mr. Knight is Chair of the Mendel Art Gallery Board of Trustees. When asked how the new gallery would address honouring Fred Mendel Mr. Knight explained an intention to build a 'Mendel Salon' in the gallery to house our Perehudoff murals!

Media Coverage

December 19, 2011 - Star Phoenix - Perehudoff Mural Rescuers Recreate Filipino Artwork

November 17, 2010 - CBC "As it Happens: minute: 15:40

Novemeber 17, 2010 - CBC News "Ontario Art Restorer Saves Sask Mural"

Novemeber 17, 2010 - CBC News Video "Expert Restorer Saves Mural"

October 4, 2010 - Star Phoenix "Mural Restoration Requires More Cash"

December 24, 2009 - Star Phoenix "Determination Saves Historic Murals: http://www.canada.com/travel/Determination+saves+historic+murals/2377433/story.html
November 20, 2009 - CBC Radio "As It Happens" minute: 7:27 http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/asithappens/20091120-aih-3.wmv

November 20, 2009 - Star Phoenix "Perehudoff Murals Rescued, Preserved" http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entertainment/Perehudoff+murals+rescued+preserved/2244735/story.html
November 20, 2009 - News Talk 650 "Dave Denny - Perehudoff Murals Preservation" http://www.newstalk650.com/audio/brent-loucks-audio/20091120-dave-denny-perehudoff-murals-preservation

Sept 29, 2009 - Star Phoenix "Mural Loss Upsets Filipino Community" http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=19460805800&topic=13655

Sept 25, 2009 - Star Phoenix "Plan Concocted to Save Perehudoff Murals" http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Plan+concocted+save+Perehudoff+murals/2031238/story.html
Aug 24, 2009 - News on the Hour "Valuable Art in Old Mitchell's Food Building" - CJWW-AM600, CKBL 92.9 The Bull, and CJMK-FM 98.3

Aug 16, 2009 - Sunday Sun - "Fred Mendel's Other Gallery" (see text at bottom of page)

Aug 7, 2009 - CBC TV - "News at Six"

July 29, 2009 - Newstalk 980 CJME -"John Gormley Live" http://www.newstalk980.com/audio/john-gormley-live/20090729-john-gormley-live-july-29-hour-4
(listen to second half of show)

July 29, 2009 - Star Phoenix - "Group Aims to Preserve Perehudoff Murals"
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/Group+aims+preserve+Perehudoff+murals/1839649/story.html
July 27, 2009 - CBC Radio - "Afternoon Edition" http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=387c83cf-d02b-447e-b7f0-b96568dcc2d0

March 26, 2009 - Star Phoenix - "Perehudoff Murals Can't be Salvaged" http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=387c83cf-d02b-447e-b7f0-b96568dcc2d0

Signature Discovered

In October Ian made an important discovery when he removed the baseboards of the room. He was hoping for clues to explain how Perehudoff had once overpainted the fresco with acrylic paint. Behind one of the baseboards he found Perehudoff's original signature with two dates: 1953 and 1977. This solved the mystery of when the second paint application had occurred. The second painting was very similar to the first, however some colours were changed and some shapes were simplified. A third layer seems to also have been painted in limited areas.

Filipino Mural

This summer a mural was ruined which had been very important to the Filipino community in Saskatoon. The painting, by artist David Ibarreta, had been located on the corner of 20th Street and Avenue E. Ian spent time during November testing a sample of the mural to determine if there was an efficient method to strip off the over-paint so that their mural could be restored. Early tests seemed to indicate that it could be restored at minimal cost using a method very similar to what is being done with the Perehudoff murals (see photo). However subsequent tests have not worked as well. The panels have now been put into storage until additional tests can be performed.

Why the Murals are Important

Every great city has its great achievers. Honouring them can be a source of civic pride. William Perehudoff and Fred Mendel were two of Saskatoon's greatest achievers. Their impact on our city has lasted decades and will last decades more. These murals tell the story of how these two men came together at a time when they were just beginning to have a larger impact on our city. The art is beautiful, and it is an important part of Canadian art history, but the murals are also important as a legacy of the generosity and talent of two great people who helped make Saskatoon what it is today.

About Us

Mendels Murals is managed by Dave Denny and Henry van Seters, with support from the unordered list below. If you have ideas for how to make Saskatoon great or just want to help please contact us:

Lynn Earl, Ian Hodkinson, Maple Leaf Foods, University of Saskatchewan, Delta Bessborough Hotel, Catherine Perehudoff, Dorothy Knowles, Cindy VanSeters, Cindy Moleski, Genevieve Dessommes, Ken Achs, Charlie Clark, Charley Farrero, Richard Rink, Colin Kindrachuk, Drinkle3, Doug and Mary Tastad, Dorothea Funk, Ryan Walker, Terry Scaddan, Kent Archer, Robert Christie, Gord Wyant, The Real Greek, Jillian Cyca, Angela Christie, Brenda Lee Smith, Julie Oh, Earl Dolan, Crystal Buekert, Tap Commincations, Hal Schrenk, Coast Paper, Mendel Art Gallery, Star Phoenix, Bert and Judit Vandenberg, Paul Gauthier, Mayor Don Atchison, Gary VanImp, Greg Chomica, Boyd Denny, Moira Knight, Estrel Dato.

Mendel's Murals

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Possible Home for the Murals!

The Filipino Mural

Past Project

Perehudoff Visits Murals

Media Coverage

Attention to Detail

Fish Glue

Print #2 - Combo

Which print do you prefer?

Make a Donation

Experiments

The Next Critical Process

Mayor Removes Last Mural

CBC Interview

The Process - Codfish Glue

Canvas Glued to Wall

Image Peels Off

Ghost Fresco

Scraping

Apply Fiberglass Resin

Signature Discovered

Filipino Mural

Mendel's Other Gallery

Why the Murals are Important

MendelsMurals's Fan Box

About Us

Followers

Contact Us

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