Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Garden will soon become a reality at the Riverbank

Brandon, MB – Fundraising for a major project at the Riverbank has recently kicked into high gear.

With the support of community and corporate partners, work will soon begin on a legacy garden along the Assiniboine River Corridor. As part of the Riverbank’s master plan, world-renowned bronze sculptor Peter Sawatzky has chosen the Assiniboine Corridor to be the home of a sculpture garden, which will be incorporated into the rolling terrain north and west of the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

Current fundraising efforts will go towards a sculpture similar to the one at Portage and Main in Winnipeg called “The Seal River Crossing.” This will be the centerpiece and one of the largest sculptures in the garden, says James Montgomery, GM of Brandon Riverbank Inc.

“The garden will also eventually feature a series of braided walkways, which will weave between wildflower gardens and sculptures creating a trail of discovery and quiet appreciation of the artist’s talent,” Montgomery added.

“Brandon Riverbank Inc. and the Assiniboine River Corridor is the perfect location for this project and I’m excited to get to work on the sculptures that will adorn this area,” Sawatzky said.

Jeff Fawcett, a councillor for the City of Brandon and advocate for the project, says he couldn’t be more thrilled as well

“The Seal River Crossing sculpture is the ideal way for Brandon to permanently celebrate Manitoba’s 150th anniversary since joining confederation, and will serve as a lasting legacy for Peter and be a cornerstone piece and priceless addition to Brandon Riverbank and to this area of Manitoba.”

The public can already view some of Sawatzky’s work at Brandon Riverbank. In 2019, the deer and fawn sculpture that was previously at Eleanor Kidd Park was relocated to Festival Park. There is also a statue of great blue herons, donated by Westoba Credit Union, located outside the front doors of the Riverbank Discovery Centre

Additionally, there are smaller pieces of Sawatzky’s work located inside the Riverbank Discovery Centre, such as a model of the Seal River Crossing, which is to scale and has the dimensions of the finished sculpture on display.