By Stephanie Froese

Mann family donation brings new name to gallery

Nov 27, 2010 | 6:20 AM

It was an historic day at the newly named Mann Art Gallery of Prince Albert.

The change in name was brought about with a generous donation from a prominent Prince Albert Family. Roger and Diane Mann will give $50,000 a year for the next decade to a total of $500,000 to the gallery.

When the donation was offered last month, Pat Grayston, chairwoman of the art gallery board, said $20,000 of that donation each year would go towards purchasing local and provincial artists’ work.

Diane Mann said they are hoping this funding will encourage art appreciation to grow in the city.

“We just really want to foster not only local Prince Albert artists, but we would like to focus also on Saskatchewan artists and International/Canadian artists as well” said Mann.

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“We just want to kind of promote a better understanding of art and wanting this to be kind of a people’s gallery.”

The Mann family has had a special historical connection to the gallery. According to Roger Mann, it’s the building itself that ties in with his family’s past business.

“My dad built this particular shell in the art gallery … in 1957. I can walk around here and tell you about the different offices we had in this building, so when I see 142 12th street west … we had that address for 40 years or more,” he said.

There’s some sentimental value as well. If my father was still alive I’m sure he’d smile thinking of what we’re doing with this old building.”

The Manns spoke to the fact that they see funding for other cultural activities like sports but that there is a lack of monetary support when it comes to the arts in Prince Albert.

The official signing of the donor agreement between the Mann family and the art gallery happened Friday evening in the gallery amidst applause from Art Gallery employees, board members, and the mayor.

sfroese@panow.com