An outdoor folk art gallery in the heart of the Interlake
Just south of Grahamdale, along PTH 6, stands one of Manitoba’s most unexpected roadside discoveries: a farmstead filled with large concrete sculptures, handmade by a Belgian-born farmer and artist who refused to let his imagination be limited by the size of his house.
The Artist
Armand George Lemiez (1894–1984) immigrated from Belgium and settled on this farm in what is now the RM of Grahamdale. He was a painter as well as a farmer, and he was so prolific that his home couldn’t hold all his work. He built a separate cinder-block building, known as the Pioneers Memorial Gallery, to display his large collection of oil paintings. Its remains can still be seen on the site today.
The Sculptures
In 1967, at around age 72, Lemiez began his most ambitious project. Over the next decade he created 21 large concrete sculptures, designed to interact with the landscape around them. His subjects are as varied as his life: politics, religion, mythology, scenes from his own family, and even a self-portrait. Look for pieces with titles like “Nixon and the police” and “My father and his girlfriend.”
Lost and Found
Lemiez hoped his homestead would one day become a provincial park, but the government declined, and after his death his paintings were lost. For years, weather, vandalism, and the surrounding bush took their toll on the sculptures. Thanks to local care and effort, the garden has been revived. Interpretive signage now tells the story, and the grounds are well maintained, giving visitors a rare glimpse into one man’s creative world.
Plan Your Visit
-
Location: Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Grahamdale on PTH 6. Watch for signage at the highway.
-
GPS: 51.38230, -98.50124
-
Season: Open June to October
-
Cost: Free
Please be respectful: The Lemiez Statues are on privately owned land, and the landowners graciously allow visitors. Please stay on the grounds, do not touch or climb the sculptures, and leave the site as you found it.
Make a day of it: Pair your visit with a drive along PTH 6 and explore more of the northern Interlake’s arts, history, and natural spaces.
Historical information courtesy of the Manitoba Historical Society.
Location/Directions: Located approximately 1 mile south of Grahamdale, along PTH 6
