The following is a letter submitted to the StarPhoenix.
Published Monday, February 08, 2010

It's sad how the citizens of Saskatoon have treated the Mendel family after years of their generous support. As a taxpayer, I don't think we need the added expense of moving this gallery and I believe that many others share my opinion.

Read the full letter on the StarPhoenix website

Jan. 21, 2010 - StarPhoenix.

The following viewpoint was written by P. Raymond Martineau, a member of the Mendel Art Gallery, in concert with others of like mind.

The Dec. 19 StarPhoenix article, River Landing balancing act, reveals that the proposed Art Gallery of Saskatchewan is destined to become a symbol of compromised principles.

Read the full article at the StarPhoenix website

Joe Kuchta again uncovers more evidence of underhanded dealings in the Mendel Art Gallery fiasco. For the first time Admission will be charged to enter the Mendel! And it turns out the city never asked for federal funding to renovate the Mendel at all, despite saying otherwise in tax forms - evidence that the move was planned all along.

Check it all out at Owls & Roosters

View a tersely worded reply from Art Knight to Joe Kuchta in PDF.

Check out this Op-Ed from Joe Kuchta that appeared recently the the StarPhoenix.

 View Article.

By Geraldine Dowling, The StarPhoenixJanuary 16, 2010

Re: Packing things in (SP, Jan. 11). What an uplifting yet heart-wrenching article this was. We are reminded of the impressive legacy Fred Mendel left in Saskatoon. Through his entrepreneurial efforts, the city had a progressive business for its citizens to make their living at, where they where well treated and respected. They could be proud of this business.

Then there was Mendel's artistic side. He encouraged one of our most distinguished artists, William Perehudoff, by having him paint murals on the walls of Intercontinental Packers offices, and he instigated the creation of his namesake art gallery to enhance the lives of citizens.

Check out this article from the January 11, 2010 issue of the StarPhoenix, about the demolition of the Mitchell Gourmet Foods builiding - the company started by Fred Mendel almost 70 years ago! With some interesting notes about Fred Mendel's contribution to the community.

Read the Article on the StarPhoenix website

Take a look at these letters of support that were submitted to the Saskatoon City Council for their Dec. 14, 2009, meeting adgenda. On the last page you'll find some letters to the StarPhoenix as well.

View PDF

Fred Mendel was born on December 18, 1888.

"...his patronage of the arts has been constant and judicious; his benefactions, both public and private, have earned him great esteem in this University, in this City, and in the whole of Canada. His generous gift, which made possible the Mendel Art Gallery, has earned for him the deep and enduring gratitude of this community. Eminent Chancellor, on behalf of the Council and the Senate, I ask you to confer on Frederick S. Mendel — eminent industrialist, generous patron and good friend of this community and its people — the degree of Doctor of Laws. ~ University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, 1965

View Fred Mendel's Biography on the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan

View a PDF scan of an article in the StarPhoenix from June 18th, 1965 about Fred Mendel's donations to the Mendel Art Gallery.