Manitoulin Art Gallery's Annual Show Honours the Group of Seven

Since 2015, the Perivale Gallery on Manitoulin Island has challenged its artists and artisans, as well as invited guest artists, to produce one piece of work inspired by the Group of Seven, for an annual show originally entitled “In the Spirit of the Group of Seven." 

The Perivale Gallery hosts an annual event featuring artwork inspired by the Group of Seven. The show runs each year at the gallery from the last week of July to the first week of August, open daily from 10 am –5 pm. The Perivale Gallery is located at 1320 Perivale Road East, Spring Bay, Manitoulin Island. 

This challenge was readily embraced by the artists and the resulting exhibition proved to be a great success, not only for the gallery but for tourism on Manitoulin Island in general. 

Here's everything visitors need to know about the "In the Spirit of Tom Thomson & the Group of Seven Show."

Facts to know about In the Spirit of Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven Show at Perivale Gallery 

1. The show honours the groundbreaking work of artists who dared to be different

In Canada in the early 20th century, a colonial mindset determined that, in general, European art, particularly Dutch art was superior. It was almost impossible for Canadians to find artistic reflections of their own natural environment!  A Dutch pastoral scene would be much more likely to figure prominently in a Canadian art collection of substance than works reflecting our unique and distinctly beautiful rugged Canadian landscape. Canadian artists had previously been strongly influenced by their European counterparts and had limited themselves to those styles. 

Tom Thomson, broke free of those colonial constraints, later followed by the Group of Seven, and developed a distinct painting style to express a nationalistic feeling. Their artistic works, inspired through direct contact with nature have come to symbolize what is the distinctly Canadian identity that we now celebrate today.

2. Visitors can vote for their favourite artwork

All visitors to the show, children included, will have an opportunity to vote for their top three favourite pieces for the People’s Choice Award.

3. You can view the works online

Images of all of the works in the show will be available online. Visit the gallery website to view the artwork in the show. 

4. You can vote for your favourites on Facebook

Votes can also be made on the Perivale Gallery Facebook page by liking the artists’ works.

5. Visitors can experience more Group of Seven programming throughout the summer

Perivale Gallery offers popular summer art workshops such as “Paint Like Tom Thomson & the Group of Seven.”

Plan your trip to this award-winning gallery overlooking the waters of Lake Kagawong today. 

For further information and questions please contact Shannon 705.210.0290.      

Showing 'Edited Body' is no longer supported.