FOR RELEASE     #08-304
December 3, 2008

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon government is very pleased that the artwork entitled Yukon Seasons is once again on public display at the Canada Games Centre, announced Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor.

“To have this piece lost and then found again is fortunate for all Yukoners and we are pleased to have it on public display once again. We thank the individual who initially worked with local law enforcement officers to recover the carving which in turn has led to this important day of unveiling,” Taylor said.

The Shane Wilson carving was originally stolen from the Canada Games Centre in September 2007. With public assistance, the RCMP recovered the stolen artwork in April. The Department of Tourism and Culture Museums Conservator cleaned the artwork to remove mould, reduce stains and re-attach an antler tine broken during the theft.

Shane Wilson, the artist, was on hand for the unveiling of Yukon Seasons at the Canada Winter Games Centre.

"It gives me the greatest pleasure as the creator of Yukon Seasons to see it returned to its former home in the Canada Games Centre,” Wilson said. “I express my warmest regards and infinite gratitude to the many fine people and organizations involved in the work of recovering and restoring both the sculpture and its showcase. I hope Yukon Seasons will give pleasure to Yukoners and visitors to the territory for years to come."

“The community feels a strong sense of ownership of the public art at the Canada Games Centre. I am sure that everyone is thrilled to see the return of this beautiful carving,” Mayor Bev Buckway added.

The carving is a full moose skull and horns intricately carved with images of Yukon wildlife and seasonal changes. Wilson donated the work to the Friends of the Gallery for the Yukon Permanent Art Collection in 2006. The collection belongs to the people of Yukon, with the Yukon government acting as custodian of the collection.

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