MORTLACH — The towering Don Cherry sculpture that became the signature landmark of Mortlach’s “Meet Me in Mortlach” initiative has found a new home, marking the end of one chapter for the grassroots tourism project.
The colourful 15-foot chainsaw carving of the longtime hockey personality and his dog, Blue, was relocated to Major, Sask., in mid-June after being sold to a private buyer.
Its relocation comes as the owners of the Highway 1 property that hosted the Bohemian Market prepare to sell the site, prompting organizers to remove artwork and attractions before the property changes hands.
Mortlach resident Mike Beaudoin, one of the organizers behind the Meet Me in Mortlach initiative, said the decision was ultimately driven by practicality.
“We’ve had a few people inquire about the property, and I just can’t be in a position to hold them up,” Beaudoin said. “Everything we’re putting out there has to be able to move at a moment’s notice.”
Created by British Columbia chainsaw sculptor Darren Jones from locally sourced Manitoba maple, the statue was unveiled in May 2024 at the entrance to the village along the Trans-Canada Highway. The carving generated national media coverage, attracted visitors from across Canada and became the centrepiece of a broader effort to transform Mortlach into a seasonal destination for artists, vendors, musicians and community events.
Although many came to associate the sculpture with Mortlach, Beaudoin said he never intended for it to remain there permanently.
“My whole hope was that one day the statue would end up in an arena or somewhere special, and the story would continue on,” he said. “I never had intentions of keeping it.”
Beaudoin said the sculpture had attracted interest from prospective buyers almost from the day it was completed. The successful purchaser, a sports enthusiast from Major who owns a trucking and rental business in the Swift Current area, hopes to create a community attraction around the piece.
“I was kind of hoping it would stay close,” Beaudoin said. “But this guy … wants to do something special for his community.”
The relocation also marks the conclusion of the original Meet Me in Mortlach initiative, which launched in 2024 with the goal of breathing new life into the small village through public art, seasonal markets, auctions, food vendors, live entertainment and community events. Centred around the seasonal Bohemian Market at the village entrance, the initiative combined public art, vendors, food, auctions and live entertainment to encourage motorists travelling Highway 1 to stop in Mortlach and help revive economic activity in the village.
Over two seasons, the project became known for its eye-catching roadside sculptures, including Jones’ towering tribute to late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, added to the site earlier this year.
The initiative also supported the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank through fundraising auctions, donated meal programs and other charitable events while working toward its longer-term vision of creating a permanent venue for local artists, vendors and entertainers.
In June, Jones returned to Mortlach to retrieve the Gord Downie tribute sculpture and a large eagle carving that formed part of the site’s evolving collection of public artwork before transporting both pieces to Alberta, where he plans to incorporate them into future art projects.
With the property changing hands and Beaudoin gradually shifting toward smaller projects as retirement approaches, he said the original vision has naturally reached its conclusion.
“I’m going to be 70 here in a couple years,” he said. “I’m just doing a couple projects each year, and I want to donate the rest of my time around the country.”
Rather than overseeing another large-scale community project, Beaudoin said he hopes to spend more time travelling, visiting family and donating his skills to community projects elsewhere.
While the Bohemian Market itself is ending, the roadside property will not remain empty.
Beaudoin said he plans to install several large, movable sculptures, including a 15-foot kinetic weathervane depicting a Grim Reaper with independently moving sections. Benches and a small rest area are also planned, giving travellers a safe place to stop along Highway 1 while ensuring future displays can be relocated quickly if necessary.
Although the original Meet Me in Mortlach initiative has reached its conclusion, Beaudoin hopes future roadside displays will continue giving travellers a reason to stop, explore Mortlach and experience a small piece of rural Saskatchewan.
