GROUP OF SEVEN CONTINUES
AWAKENINGS OF LA CLOCHE
DISCOVERY ROUTE
There is something very meditative about being in a quiet gallery
space, contemplating a work of art and appreciating the skill and
technique of the artists. In that moment, have you ever wondered
‘where is this’? Now you can find out. Follow this discovery route and
connect the art on the walls to the landscapes, vistas and waterways
that inspired the artists of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson.
This leg of the Group of Seven Gallery to Landscape Discovery Routes is a varied one with a number of itinerary combinations along the way.
The choice is yours!
KEY STOPS, ATTRACTIONS AND LANDSCAPES
Clouds hugging Georgian Bay waves. Craggy pine trees, barely clinging to the rocks. The smoke stacks of Sudbury and Cobalt. The Group of Seven
visited northeastern Ontario for many years as artists but also as graphic designers. They travelled the rails to where the commercial work was,
captured resource-based industries dotting the landscapes exampled in Carmichael’s A Northern Silver Mine, (c 1930 McMichael Canadian Art
Collection, Kleinburg).
1
Tom Thomson Artist Stations: If you are
heading north from southern Ontario,
stop in Parry Sound to take in the
views that inspired the artists – from
the land and from the water.
Two Artists’ Stations are located along
the Rotary Algonquin Fitness Trail
in Parry Sound, each overlook views
painted by Tom Thomson on his July
1914 visit as he travelled by canoe
from his friend, Dr. MacCallum’s cottage at Go Home Bay. He stopped at
the mouth of the Seguin River to paint
the CPR trestle bridge and the Parry
Sound Lumber Company. Thomson
then pulled his canoe on shore and
looked out past Zhiishiib Rock to
capture clouds and waves on a windy
day. Thomson’s interest in capturing
changing conditions of light, water
and wind can be seen in his sketch
Rock- MacCallum’s Channel (c 1917,
McMichael Canadian Art Collection,
Kleinburg).
Tom Thomson’s oil on wood sketch
Parry Sound Harbour
(c 1914, National Gallery of
Canada, Ottawa) demonstrates his
ability to highlight the Canadian
landscape in all it’s glory - even in
dark and changing seasons.
2
Spirit of the Sound Boat Tour:
Available Saturdays in July and
August, the Group of Seven themed
boat tours take you onto the waterways
and past the islands of Georgian Bay
that appear in many of the paintings
and sketches produced by the Group
of Seven. Sign up early as these tours
often sell out.
The cool waters of Georgian Bay
set the tone and colour palette for
Harris’s painting, Georgian Bay
(Lawren Harris, c 1912,
McMichael Canadian Art
Collection, Kleinburg) and Stormy
Weather Georgian Bay (Frederick
Varley c 1921 National Gallery
National Gallery of Canada,
Ottawa).
3
Killarney Provincial Park:
Open year round, Killarney Provincial
Park (just off Highway 69) has long
captivated artists including the Group
of Seven’s A.Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael and A.J. Casson. The artists
persuaded the Ontario government to
make it a park to protect it for future
generations. Hike the A.Y. Jackson
Lake View which is accessible via the
Cranberry Bog Trail from the George
Lake Campground to experience a
glimpse of the stunning, sprawling
land and lakes which inspired the
Group of Seven.
Relive the full experience of the
Group of Seven artists when you
portage and paddle from George
Lake across to Ontario Society of
Artists Lake. This portage and
paddle was essential for
Carmichael and Jackson to find
the perfect vantage point to paint
Waterfalls on the way into Nellie
Lake (Carmichael c 1939 National
Gallery of Canada, Ottawa) and
Hills, Killarney Ontario (Nellie
Lake), (Jackson c 1933,
McMichael Canadian Art
Collection, Kleinburg) (See
painting below). Nellie Lake is
situated at the northwest section
of Killarney Provincial Park south
of Espanola.
3a
Artist and Photography Workshops
in Killarney Provincial Park: If you
are so inspired, join a photography or
artist workshop that showcases and
celebrates the landscapes of Killarney
Provincial Park.
• Pierre Sabourin who is not only a
great artist himself but is
experienced and knowledgeable
about all things Group of Seven
in Killarney. He offers hands-on
‘Painting Killarney’ workshop
experiences.
• The Fall Equinox Photo workshop
led by photographer Rob Stimpson,
combines the comfort of Killarney
Mountain Lodge and the
magnificence of Killarney.
3b
Killarney Visitor Centre: Pick up one of
the artist material lending kits, free of
charge at the Park’s visitor information
centre and see how creative you can
be. Plan on attending the Friends of
Killarney Provincial Park annual Art
Show & Sale on July 29 and 30, 2017
and watch for other art-related events
offered by the Friends of Killarney
Provincial Park.
GROUP OF SEVEN CONTINUES
AWAKENINGS OF LA CLOCHE
DISCOVERY ROUTE
There is something very meditative about being in a quiet gallery
space, contemplating a work of art and appreciating the skill and
technique of the artists. In that moment, have you ever wondered
‘where is this’? Now you can find out. Follow this discovery route and
connect the art on the walls to the landscapes, vistas and waterways
that inspired the artists of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson.
KEY STOPS, ATTRACTIONS AND LANDSCAPES
While the artists never had the chance to ride the ferry between Tobermory and South Baymouth, it does not mean that you cannot do it!
If you are coming from or going to Southern Ontario, your trip to Sudbury and area can take you through Manitoulin Island, home to a number of
Group of Seven stories.
4
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery:
As you head north to Tobermory,
plan a stop at the Tom Thomson Art
Gallery in Owen Sound. Canadian
Spirit The Tom Thomson Experience
introduces visitors to Thomson’s
life. Experience “Someday they will
know what I mean”, an art exhibition
that concludes in 2017 (the 100th
anniversary of Tom Thomson’s death)
and the 150th anniversary of Canada.
Additional art exhibitions include
Betwixt & Between: An Untold Tom
Thomson Story occurring on May 28th
– Sept 10th 2017 and West Wind/
East Wind, from Sept 17th 2017 –
Jan 7th 2018. Both offer detailed
insight into the iconic landscapes that
influenced and inspired Tom Thomson
and the Group of Seven. While in
Owen Sound, visit the Tom Thomson
Freedom trail that passes through
Leith and the Pioneer Cemetery Leith
Church where Tom Thomson is buried.
Rural and urban collide. After
experiencing multiple original
Tom Thomson paintings here,
head south to follow the Gallery
to Landscape Discovery Route for
Toronto where you can learn more
about the painting entitled House
in Owen Sound (c 1914, Tom
Thomson) (See painting below) at
the Art Gallery of Ontario.
5
Perivale Gallery, Manitoulin Island:
If you are planning a trip to Manitoulin
Island, include a stop off the beaten
path at the Perivale Art Gallery to take
in the exhibit In the Spirit of Tom
Thomson and the Group of Seven from
July 22nd – Aug 6th 2017.
6
Widgawa Lodge: A.J. Casson used to
stay at Widgawa Lodge, just outside
Willisville, where he painted many
local scenes. Visit or stay at Widgawa
Lodge to paddle the same route A.Y.
Jackson did to Grace Lake, participate
in a day tours of La Cloche or just
to immerse yourself in this inspiring
landscape.
A.J. Casson painted White Pine
(c1957, McMichael Canadian Art
Collection, Kleinburg) (See
painting below) at nearby
Dreamers’ Rock.
GROUP OF SEVEN CONTINUES
AWAKENINGS OF LA CLOCHE
DISCOVERY ROUTE
There is something very meditative about being in a quiet gallery
space, contemplating a work of art and appreciating the skill and
technique of the artists. In that moment, have you ever wondered
‘where is this’? Now you can find out. Follow this discovery route and
connect the art on the walls to the landscapes, vistas and waterways
that inspired the artists of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson.
KEY STOPS, ATTRACTIONS AND LANDSCAPES
Group of Seven members, especially Franklin Carmichael, were heavily influenced by the landscapes that make up the Greater District of Sudbury
today. The Art Gallery of Sudbury is in the midst of a large-scale expansion which will become the new home to the Franklin Carmichael Gallery.
7
Art Gallery of Sudbury: Plan to
visit the Art Gallery of Sudbury
as it celebrates its 50th year
in 2017. A group exhibition of
naturalist and magic realist artists
Resemblances|Ressemblances
planned between July 14th and
September 4th 2017 includes
works by Franklin Carmichael and
A.J. Casson. Within the Gallery’s
permanent collection you will find
works by Tom Thomson and original
Group of Seven members including
Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer,
A.Y. Jackson, and Frederick Varley.
After visiting the Sudbury Art
Gallery and the surrounding
region which directly inspired
Carmichael’s imagery, see his
painting La Cloche Mountain
and Lake, (c 1940, Art Gallery
of Ontario) as part of the Toronto
Gallery to Landscape Discovery
Route.
8
Festival of The Seven 2017: Watch for
updates on a full range of
exhibitions and activities for all things
“Group of Seven” in and around
Sudbury from June to December that
include those noted below.
8a
40th Annual La Cloche Art Show:
Casson, Carmichael, Jackson, Lismer
and MacDonald all were inspired by
the La Cloche rolling landscapes and
the tradition of Canadian landscape
painting continues during the
40th annual La Cloche Art show
June 30th – July 9th 2017, which
also acts as the kick off event for the
Festival of Seven activities.
8b
‘Discover A.Y. Jackson Lookout at
Onaping Falls’: Led by the Art Gallery
of Sudbury, learn about the Group of
Seven as you hike the iconic Canadian
landscape and learn plein air painting
techniques, leaving with a finished
work of art.
8c
Grace Lake Plein Air Excursion:
Join the Art Gallery of Sudbury for a
historical plein air small group journey
to Grace Lake in the La Cloche
Mountains a favorite spot of Franklin
Carmichael of the Group of Seven.
Paint, draw, photograph, explore.
Excursions run from June to
September – weather permitting.
During your Grace Lake Plein Air
Excursion you’ll get the chance to
hike, portage and travel by water to
experience the landscapes which
inspired Franklin Carmichael’s
watercolour painting Grace Lake,
(c 1932-1934, National Gallery of
Canada, Ottawa).
9
A.Y. Jackson Lookout, Onaping Falls:
In the spring of 1953, A.Y. Jackson
came to the Onaping River to paint.
The sketch he created at this site,
hung at Sudbury Secondary School
from 1955 until 1974, when it
disappeared. Its location remains a
mystery today.
Meander out of Sudbury along
Highway 144 northwest towards
Dowling for about 35 minutes and
watch for the turn-off to
A.Y. Jackson Lookout on your right.
The High Falls cascade into the
Sudbury basin making this lookout a
popular spot for photographers. The
lookout features a wheelchair
accessible trail.
KEY STOPS, ATTRACTIONS AND LANDSCAPES COBALT
Head north to Cobalt to appreciate another element of an artist’s life – commercial art. Works produced here illustrate that these artists were not
always tied to landscapes, but captured villages and towns as well.
10
Cobalt: Named Ontario’s Most Historic
Town and a Parks Canada National
Historic Mining District, Cobalt hosted
Carmichael, Jackson and Lismer
as they depicted views of resource
extraction as well as the villages and
towns themselves. Check out the
viewing station at the Cobalt Townsite
Mine, the Cobalt Mining Museum
the Heritage Silver Trail, and Cobalt
Welcome Centre located in the historic
Cobalt Train Station on the shores of
Cobalt Lake.
Jackson’s painting Cobalt Mine
Shaft (c 1935, McMichael
Canadian Art Collection,
Kleinburg) (See painting below)
depicts the industrial history of
this small town mining community,
which is still evident to this day.
11
Temiskaming Art Gallery:
The Temiskaming Art Gallery
(TAG) collection includes works by
contemporaries of the Group of Seven
including George Pepper. The TAG
gallery provides a link to the annual
Cobalt Artist Colony, held annually in
July, with documentation of Group of
Seven members who acted as jurors in
their time.
GROUP OF SEVEN CONTINUES
AWAKENINGS OF LA CLOCHE
DISCOVERY ROUTE
There is something very meditative about being in a quiet gallery
space, contemplating a work of art and appreciating the skill and
technique of the artists. In that moment, have you ever wondered
‘where is this’? Now you can find out. Follow this discovery route and
connect the art on the walls to the landscapes, vistas and waterways
that inspired the artists of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson.
10
11
8b,9
7,8,8c
6,8a
3
1,2
4
Google Maps, 2017
TRAVEL RESOURCES
TIPS
• North Eastern Ontario
www.northeasternontario.com
• Order a copy of Jim and Sue Waddington’s book “In the
Footsteps of the Group of Seven” available from the Art
Gallery of Sudbury.
• Bruce Grey Simcoe
www.brucegreysimcoe.com
• Listen to the CD “Walking in the Footsteps” also available
at The Art Gallery of Sudbury, by Canadian singer songwriter
and Juno award winner Ian Tamblyn.
• Porter
Airlines
www.flyporter.com
• Consider taking the Parkbus, which offers transportation and
trips from Toronto and Ottawa that include Killarney Park,
Georgian Bay and Tobermory.