A bronze polar bear sculpture by Manitoba artist Peter Sawatzky was unveiled at the entrance to Assiniboine Park Zoo on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. (CHRISD.CA)
A bronze polar bear sculpture now greets visitors to Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo.
The gift was commissioned by donor Bob Williams to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, along with a $1 million donation to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s Imagine a Place Campaign.
Manitoba artist Peter Sawatzky created the nine-foot-tall bronze sculpture, entitled “Mother Polar Bear and Cubs,” which sits on the plaza at the zoo’s entrance on Roblin Boulevard.
“This life size statue welcomes you to the new Assiniboine Park Zoo, but also sends a message about environmental responsibility,” said Williams. “Often a mother bear will stand up to see if there is any danger ahead for her cubs. The real danger is the loss of her habitat; her environment is shrinking. We can help by reducing our impact on the environment.”
Sawatzky is an award-winning artist who has earned international recognition for his art. His sculptures inspired by wildlife and the natural environment are on display across Canada and in collections around the world.
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