Posted : November 13, 2021
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
The McMichael is located in the charming Village of Kleinburg, approximately 30 minutes from the city of Toronto. The story of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection begins in 1952, when Robert and Signe McMichael purchased ten acres of land in the village of Kleinburg, Ontario. Architect Leo Venchiarutti designed the McMichael’s original home in 1954. Moved by the natural environment, the McMichaels began collecting works of art by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, artists who also drew inspiration from the natural landscape. In 1965, the McMichaels donated their collection, as well as their home and land to the Province of Ontario.
Visit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Virtual Inuit Collection
Inuit artists from Kinngait (Cape Dorset) have created thousands of drawings. Approximately 100,000 of these artworks are housed at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection for the West Baffin Eskimo Co-op. Almost 4,000 of these drawings are available online here.
This unique site is named Iningat Ilagiit, meaning “a place for family.” Here you can not only browse the collection, but also build your own collections of favourite artworks in order to create your own virtual exhibitions to share with others.
Iningat Ilagiit is also a space for Inuit and Northern communities to connect with their own art and contribute to the important work of sharing Kinngait history and culture.
While you can’t physically visit the museum, there are lots of ways to stay connected with the McMichael collection, educators and artists through art activities, videos, tutorials and more from home! The McMichael has created this wonderful resource called ArtVenture Online.
Kid’s Corner (5 – 7 years old): Fun step-by-step art activities and ideas for the whole family! Each post will contain an activity connected to one of the McMichael’s artworks, accompanied by guided viewing questions. A list of materials and potential substitutes is provided.
Gallery Explorers (8 – 12 years old): Gallery Explorers introduces kids to the history of Canadian art and encourages personal artmaking at home. With new projects added each week, learn the story of well-known Canadian masterpieces as well as some lesser-known surprises by the Group of Seven, Tom Thomson, Norval Morrisseau and other Canadian artists from the past to the present. Each discussion is accompanied by an art activity related to the artist or artwork.
Living with Art Accessible Programming (Age 7+): The McMichael Canadian Art Collection has always been a leader in accessible programming. To support families during our closure, the McMichael is pleased to offer a series of activities that can be enjoyed by families of children living with exceptionalities. Each activity includes step–by–step instructions that take into account various levels of ability, differing sensitivities and materials available at home.
The Group of Seven at 100: Virtual Curatorial Talk
A virtual presentation celebrating the centenary of the Group’s founding with Ian Dejardin, Executive Director of the McMichael and curator of the exhibition “A Like Vision”: The Group of Seven at 100. Followed by a special musical performance by Bruce Cockburn.
Latcham Art Centre
Latcham Art Centre was started in 1979 by a group of local artists and visionaries who saw the need for an arts facility in Whitchurch-Stouffville. The gallery was named after local philanthropist Arthur Latcham. Latcham Art Centre inspires the community to engage with visual art through exhibitions of contemporary art and education programs including classes, workshops, artist talks and tours. The Art Centre is located in Stouffville, Ontario, 45 minutes north-east of Toronto.
The Homegrown Collection
Latcham Art Centre wants you to send in your art for their virtual community sketchbook called “The Homegrown Collection“.
They want it all – from the small rough crayon drawing to the intricate little painting!
EACH MONDAY they will suggest 3 subjects for your projects – these are just suggestions. Do one, or do them all! Feel free to come up with your own. They also welcome suggestions for themes that we can include in future weeks! Just take a photo of your creation and send.
EACH FRIDAY they will update their digital sketchbook and share – something to look forward to at the end of the week!
SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO JEN ONLOCK : programs@latchamartcentre.ca
More Homegrown Collection Details
Robert McLaughlin Gallery
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) located in Oshawa is a vibrant and engaging art gallery dedicated to sharing and protecting the stories of our communities through art, shared authority, education, and engagement. Their mission is work together with our communities to create conversations through the arts that encourage people to experience the world differently and foster experimentation and risk taking.
The RMG houses a permanent collection of over 4500 works, The Thomas Bouckley Collection, an art library and archives.
Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC), is a non-collecting, public art gallery located in Bowmanville, within the Municipality of Clarington. For over 40 years, the VAC has been providing the community with quality exhibition and educational programming. We are supported by federal, provincial and municipal funding, corporate and individual donors and by our membership and volunteers.
Headwaters Arts
Headwaters Arts is a volunteer-based organization that brings together artists and supporters to promote the development, appreciation and enjoyment of all the arts in the Hills of Headwaters. They provide artists with greater exposure, sales, networking opportunities, and professional development. Their collaborative marketing efforts promote the region as a centre for artistic excellence.
Lynne McIlvrrides Studio
Lynne McIlvrrides is a mixed media artist based out of Utica, Uxbridge. She creates two and three-dimensional paintings, huge panoramas, original prints: a highly saturated experience. Prepare to be blown away.
