It’s been over 100 years since Canada’s Group of Seven took their first trip to Northern Ontario and since their first exhibition of their works from this trip and subsequent trips. From their first adventure by train into the wilderness of Algoma and the North Shore of Lake Superior, the LaCloche Mountain range and Killarney to industrial depictions of Cobalt in Temiskaming, members of the group explored new ways and styles to depict Canada’s rugged landscape and modern era industry in rural areas as they sought new inspiration.
Below we’ve listed where to see Group of Seven landscapes in Ontario in Northeastern Ontario, Algoma Country and Superior Country.
The hills and lakes of Killarney became popular for sketching and painting and attracted members of the Group of Seven like A.Y. Jackson, A.J. Casson, Franklin Carmichael and Arthur Lismer. Their time in the area is well-documented and long-lasting, as they contributed to conservation efforts that resulted in the initial creation of the provincial park. Today, visitors can enjoy the same landscapes and solitude sought out by members of the group.
If you are an avid outdoors person, we think it will be suitable for you to paddle and hike to Casson’s Peak or explore the landscape to see Carmichael’s Rock (depicted in Grace Lake, 1931). But if you feel your skill set is not quite there yet, here are a few other ways:
This family-owned and operated lodge is where A.J. Casson and his wife Margaret stayed on many occasions visiting this area. The Widgawa Lodge is located on the West River and its cabin date back to the 1920s when prospectors and gold miners combed the area. A couple of trips you can do are Dreamer’s Rock and Nellie Lake. Dreamer’s Rock is located on Whitefish River First Nation, and you must get permission from the band office and pay a $5 requisite fee. You can learn more about this trip by clicking here. White Pine 1957(?) by Casson was painted near Dreamer’s Rock. Nellie Lake, depicted in the A.Y. Jackson painting Hills, Killarney (Nellie Lake) 1933, makes a great day trip for paddling and hiking from the lodge.
Visit the historic town of Cobalt, the birthplace of Canada's hard-rock mining industry for rich silver deposits. Today, it's Ontario's most historic town and a Parks Canada National Historic Site! Group of Seven members Arthur Lismer, A.Y. Jackson and Franklin Carmichael spent time in Cobalt between World War I and II, immortalizing the towering mining operations set amongst the landscape. A notable painting from this time is A Northern Silver Mine, 1930 by Franklin Carmichael. To get a sense of what it must have been like for silver miners and the community during the Silver Rush, tour a non-operating silver mine through the Cobalt Mining Museum and the views of the town along the Heritage Silver Trail.
Located 45 km northwest Sudbury is Onaping High Falls on the Onaping River. The waterfall drops an impressive 150 feet in a series of drops. A.Y. Jackson depicted this beautiful area in his painting Spring on the Onaping River, 1953. Although the painting was stolen in 1974, visitors can enjoy the waterfalls and river in person with a trip to the A.Y. Jackson Lookout. Hike along the scenic 1 km trail following the river's edge to the bridge spanning the top of the falls. Follow the bridge through the peaceful forest to a marked trail to complete the 2 km loop.
For over 50 years, the Art Gallery of Sudbury has been a place for everyone to experience and create art. The gallery's permanent collection houses over 2,000 pieces from notable Canadian and international artists including artworks by members of the Group of Seven like A.Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael, Arthur Lismer and Frederick Varley. The art gallery's public-facing operations are temporarily relocated to Elgin Street as the gallery is working towards a brand-new space in the city’s downtown core. The Elgin Street location hosts contemporary exhibitions with The Gallery Gift Shop next door.
The gallery offers adult workshops at the A.Y. Jackson Lookout. Create your own en plein air painting of High Falls on the Onaping River with a painting excursion with the Sudbury Art Gallery.
The La Cloche Art Show takes place annually at the Whitefish Falls Community Centre in Whitefish Falls, Ontario. This is a juried show and sale with 8 categories: oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel, coloured pencil and drawing, mixed media, photography and sculpture. Turn this into a full-day adventure with a hike up Willisville Mountain to see scenic views that inspired members of the Group of Seven.
The idea of the Group of Seven started in the Algoma region of Ontario, beginning with their first trip aboard the Algoma Central Railway in May 1918. They found inspiration here, following the death of their friend and mentor Tom Thomson, and the burdens of the First World War. Together, they developed a new painting style in Canada.
The Art Gallery of Algoma, located along the Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront celebrates arts and culture with every visitor who walks through the door. Their extensive permanent collection of over 5,000 works of art includes work done by members of the Group of Seven, First Nations artists, Ken Danby, Emily Carr and many more. Book a Group of Seven Painting Tour, a guided tour of the exhibitions and a mini painting lesson. Enjoy lunch in the onsite cafe or a picnic in the sculpture park.
A Canadian Signature Experience, the Agawa Canyon has welcomed thousands of visitors for decades. Members of the Group of Seven camped and painted in the canyon over 100 years ago. Bridal Veil Falls was painted by both Harris and MacDonald. Today, the Agawa Canyon Tour Train journeys 114 miles north through the rugged landscape with views of Lake Superior and the breathtaking stop at the Montreal River Trestle. Visitors will enjoy GPS-triggered commentary along the way, and upon reaching Canyon Park can visit the waterfalls, and 2 Group of Seven interpretive panels or climb 300 stairs to the top of the lookout for a 360-degree view.
The Group of Seven Touring Route follows TransCanada Hwy 17 from Spanish, Ontario to Nipigon, Ontario. It traces a path along the North Channel of Lake Huron to the North Shore of Lake Superior like the journey taken by members of the Group of Seven aboard the passenger rail service from Allandale, Ontario to Sault Ste. Marie before heading north on the Algoma Central Railway and the CPR. There are 21 interpretive panels along the route each telling a piece of the Group of Seven story in Algoma and their connection to the landscape and paintings. Stops include Chippewa Falls, provincial parks, and Wawa.
Guided and partially outfitted by Naturally Superior Adventures, take a 6-day, 6-night camping trip along Lake Superior's north shore. This is island-to-island paddling, open coastline with peaceful bays and coves. Once a busy village and now a ghost town, Jackfish was a favourite spot of Group of Seven members Harris and Carmichael. On this trip, you'll get to wander the remains of Jackfish and see the landscape from the artists' viewpoints.
In 1920, members of the Group of Seven visited the north shore of Lake Superior where they spent time in Jackfish, Port Coldwell and saw the beautiful Slate Islands.
One of the most recognized artworks by Lawren Harris is Pic Island, c1924, which he would have glimpsed from the top of a hill in the early 1920s. He completed over 50 sketches of the island! Pic Island can be seen when you reach the top of the Overlook Trail in Neys Provincial Park. A Group of Seven interpretive panel is poised in a position that could have been Harris's viewpoint when he sketched. Also at the top of the trail is a pretty gazebo. It’s important to know that this trail is difficult and is best suited for experienced hikers. So, if you don’t feel you can hike the trail, check out the panel at the Visitor Centre and see the centre’s exhibits about the parks’ natural and cultural history.
Here are some great resources to help acquaint you with Group of Seven landscapes. These books and films document the inspiration behind the members’ works of art.
1. Painted Land: In Search of the Group of Seven
This documentary chronicles the search for the actual locations of famous paintings by members of the Group of Seven during their trips to Algoma. It follows historian Michael Burtch and writer and photographer team Gary and Joanie McGuffin.
2. In the Footsteps of the Group of Seven
Written by Jim and Sue Waddington, it follows their 36-year journey to locate, document and photograph precise landscapes that inspired and influenced members of the Group of Seven.
3. Hidden Secrets of the Canvas: One Couple's Lifetime Quest to Uncover a Century-Old Mystery
This recent 12-minute documentary highlights the Waddington's decades-long expedition in search of painting locations.
4. Algoma - Solemn Land
In 2022, seven Canadian landscape painters travelled to Algoma is a book with imagery created by those accomplished artists and Gary McGuffin at sites made famous by members of the Group of Seven but re-imagined by these modern-day painters.
