McMichael art gallery: Page 2

More about the McMichael art gallery: The Studio, the Graves, the Group of Seven ...

As you walk between the parking lot and the McMichael art gallery, you’ll see it: a tall shack surrounded by trees. This is Tom Thomson’s studio, which started out life as a construction shack parked behind a famous studio in downtown Toronto. Thomson used the shack as an artists’ studio and home while he was living and painting in Toronto, in between trips to Algonquin Park. It’s kind of cool to have the shell—or womb—that housed Thomson while he created so many of the fine paintings that are displayed in the gallery next door.

The McMichaels bought the shack in 1962 and installed it on their land. It now serves as a studio for artists-in-residence at the McMichael art gallery – quite an honour! Does the spirit of Tom Thomson inspire them? If you’re fortunate to visit on a day when the current resident is at work there, you’ll have a chance to see inside and chat with them. Otherwise, you can at least peek through the window.

Temporary Exhibitions and other Features at the McMichael art gallery

The gallery hosts several temporary exhibits each year, often several at one time. Recent shows have included an exhibit of photographs by celebrity photographer Yousef Karsh and paintings by beloved wildlife artist Robert Bateman. Kenojuak Ashevak came here from Cape Dorset in 2008 for a party to celebrate her 80th birthday.

The McMichael also hosts workshops, lectures, tours, music concerts, and kids’ camps. Many of their activities are geared to children.

The gift shop sells prints of Canadian art, calendars, jewellery, cards, books, etc. A small café offers snacks. If you’re here during warm weather, bring a lunch and enjoy the scenery from the picnic tables under the trees.

History of the Museum & The Group of Seven Connection

One of the interesting facts about the McMichael is that it started out as a private home. That’s hard to believe when you look at it, because it’s quite sprawling, but it has grown over the years from a 2,000 square foot house to an 84,000 square foot museum. However, the fieldstone and log walls and the huge fireplace still give it the feel of a rustic country home, despite its current massive size.

The name McMichael comes from its founders, Robert and Signe, who began building their country retreat in 1954. They called it Tapawingo, meaning “place of joy”. The original home is now Gallery 2 and Guides’ Lounge on the lower level, gallery 14 and Director’s office on the upper level.

Robert and Signe started collecting art work in the 1950s. They bought their first painting in 1955: “Montreal River, Algoma” by Lawren Harris. In 1956 they bought a Tom Thomson sketch (a 1914 Georgian Bay scene) and a painting of Algonquin Park by Lismer. Over the years they continued to acquire many works, and eventually opened their home on the weekends to art lovers who were eager to view their collection. As it grew in popularity, they realized that they had something very significant on their hands, and in 1965, the couple donated the collection, house and land to the Province of Ontario. The museum’s holdings have grown substantially since then, although the core of the collection still remains those first precious pieces obtained by the McMichaels.

The McMichaels were friends with six members of the Group of Seven. They bought many of the paintings directly from the artists. A.Y. Jackson lived at their home for the last six years of his life, as artist-in-residence. Several members of the Group and their wives are buried in a private graveyard on the property, along with Robert McMichael.

Recommended Reading:

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection – Still a place of joy. Edited by Jean Blodgett et al. Toronto & Montreal: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd., 1989.

Other sites to visit:

The museum’s website: http://www.mcmichael.com/

The town of Kleinburg: http://www.kleinburgvillage.com/

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