Release Date: June 21, 2005
Media Contact: Sabrina Cataldo, External Relations
E-mail: Sabrina.Cataldo@uregina.ca
Phone: (306) 585.5632
Fax: (306) 585.4997
Fafard sculpture valued at $800,000 is donated to University
Joe Fafard and Gordon Diamond today announced their donation of Fafard's sculpture, Le jardin de l'esprit  (Mind's Garden), to the University of Regina's Building Dreams and Futures campaign. The sculpture is valued at $800,000.

"For me, all that led up to this day was very emotional and at the basis of my work. I tried to pour all what I felt about everything into this one piece." said Fafard, a well-known Saskatchewan sculptor and artist. "I have always tried to avoid explaining the piece too much, as I want the viewer to participate in the creation of the imagery and the meaning themselves, so that it remains a living work of art."

Mind's Garden was designed by Fafard in 1994 for a competition for a Canadian war memorial in London, England. Although the sculpture was not selected, it was considered to be an important work of art. Diamond, a patron of the arts and philanthropist from Vancouver, British Columbia, co-sponsored the realization of the work with Fafard. 

"I believe in Joe's work and his artistic ability," says Diamond. "Besides being a fine artist, he is also a good human being."

The sculpture was installed in November 1999 on the south shore of Wascana Lake, between the bike path and the University of Regina Library, and was on loan to Wascana Centre Authority. With today's announcement, the sculpture becomes part of the President's Art Collection at the University of Regina.

"The University of Regina is honoured to accept this sculpture from Joe Fafard and Gordon Diamond. Thank you both for this generous donation of art," says President David Barnard. "In the more than four years that it has been on this site, thousands of people have been inspired by Mind's Garden. We are very pleased that our community will be able to enjoy this significant piece for decades to come."

Building Dreams and Futures is an ambitious campaign to raise funds for five priority areas of the University of Regina: the 2005 Canada Summer Games, student support, research support, the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport, and emerging priorities. The projects and activities planned for those areas will cost a total of $75 million. To date, more than 75 per cent of that goal has been raised from a variety of funding sources, including donations from individuals, corporations, and community organizations. Information on the campaign and how to make a contribution is available at 1-877-779-4723 and www.uregina.ca/campaign.