Tom Thomson (1877–1917) is indisputably Canada’s preeminent modern painter, and his catalytic achievement changed the face of Canadian painting forever. This exhibition will offer a close look at Thomson’s legacy, focusing on the small en plein air oil paintings, also know as oil sketches, of which he is the supreme master. An account fit for the twenty-first century, the exhibition and accompanying major publication will isolate particular moments of Thomson’s artistic experimentation, and incorporate assessments of his work by leading contemporary artists and writers, exploring Thomson’s evolving public persona as the quintessential outdoorsman, and considering his oeuvre within the framework of the international art of his time.

NEW DATES ADDED for the McMichael Art Bus! Travel in comfort from downtown Toronto to the McMichael on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. By popular demand the Art Bus will continue through October 29, 2023 with two additional weekends added in December: December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17, 2023.

To the McMichael: The Art Bus departs St. George Station at 10:30 am, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 (NEW for 2023!) at approximately 11:15 am.

Return from the McMichael: The Art Bus departs the McMichael at 3:30 pm, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 at approximately 3:50 pm with a final stop at St. George Station.

Tom Thomson (1877–1917) is indisputably Canada’s preeminent modern painter, and his catalytic achievement changed the face of Canadian painting forever. This exhibition will offer a close look at Thomson’s legacy, focusing on the small en plein air oil paintings, also know as oil sketches, of which he is the supreme master. An account fit for the twenty-first century, the exhibition and accompanying major publication will isolate particular moments of Thomson’s artistic experimentation, and incorporate assessments of his work by leading contemporary artists and writers, exploring Thomson’s evolving public persona as the quintessential outdoorsman, and considering his oeuvre within the framework of the international art of his time.

NEW DATES ADDED for the McMichael Art Bus! Travel in comfort from downtown Toronto to the McMichael on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. By popular demand the Art Bus will continue through October 29, 2023 with two additional weekends added in December: December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17, 2023.

To the McMichael: The Art Bus departs St. George Station at 10:30 am, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 (NEW for 2023!) at approximately 11:15 am.

Return from the McMichael: The Art Bus departs the McMichael at 3:30 pm, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 at approximately 3:50 pm with a final stop at St. George Station.

Tom Thomson (1877–1917) is indisputably Canada’s preeminent modern painter, and his catalytic achievement changed the face of Canadian painting forever. This exhibition will offer a close look at Thomson’s legacy, focusing on the small en plein air oil paintings, also know as oil sketches, of which he is the supreme master. An account fit for the twenty-first century, the exhibition and accompanying major publication will isolate particular moments of Thomson’s artistic experimentation, and incorporate assessments of his work by leading contemporary artists and writers, exploring Thomson’s evolving public persona as the quintessential outdoorsman, and considering his oeuvre within the framework of the international art of his time.

NEW DATES ADDED for the McMichael Art Bus! Travel in comfort from downtown Toronto to the McMichael on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. By popular demand the Art Bus will continue through October 29, 2023 with two additional weekends added in December: December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17, 2023.

To the McMichael: The Art Bus departs St. George Station at 10:30 am, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 (NEW for 2023!) at approximately 11:15 am.

Return from the McMichael: The Art Bus departs the McMichael at 3:30 pm, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 at approximately 3:50 pm with a final stop at St. George Station.

Cobalt, Ontario—some 500 kilometres north of Toronto—was established in 1904 following the discovery of rich silver, cobalt, ore, and nickel deposits. At peak production in 1911, Colbalt provided approximately one eighth of the world’s silver. In its heyday, the story of Cobalt was known around the world, and the town attracted miners, scientists, scholars, and of course, artists. This exhibition showcases the work of the artists who visited and documented Cobalt and its silver mines between the First and Second World Wars, after much of the natural resource deposits were depleted. Among them was a rising generation of Canadian modern painters which included Yvonne McKague Housser, Bess Larkin Housser Harris, Isabel McLaughlin, Frederick Banting, A.Y. Jackson, and Franklin Carmichael. These artists created works that depicted Canada as a new, modern industrial nation in step with the future—a contrast to the better-known works from this period that picture Canada as untouched wilderness. While some artists conjured Cobalt as a heroic bastion of industry and enterprise, others focused on the town’s grit and dishevelment. This exhibition and its accompanying publication will explore both sides of this dynamic relationship and shine new light on the settler relationship with the natural landscape.

This exhibition is guest curated by Dr. Catherine Mastin.

Join artist Dominik Modlinski as he shares the stories behind his paintings and creative process. Following in the traditions of countless Canadian historical artists, Modlinski’s journeys through the wilderness help inspire his en plein air works through the majesty of nature. Some of his most extreme painting expeditions took him across continents and hemispheres such as Antarctica, High Arctic, Greenland, Patagonia, into the wilds of Namibia, South Africa and South America. The artist will share his experiences of his journey to portray a need to preserve the beauty of our planet and inspire people to do so through his paintings, photographs, stories and films.

Tom Thomson (1877–1917) is indisputably Canada’s preeminent modern painter, and his catalytic achievement changed the face of Canadian painting forever. This exhibition will offer a close look at Thomson’s legacy, focusing on the small en plein air oil paintings, also know as oil sketches, of which he is the supreme master. An account fit for the twenty-first century, the exhibition and accompanying major publication will isolate particular moments of Thomson’s artistic experimentation, and incorporate assessments of his work by leading contemporary artists and writers, exploring Thomson’s evolving public persona as the quintessential outdoorsman, and considering his oeuvre within the framework of the international art of his time.

NEW DATES ADDED for the McMichael Art Bus! Travel in comfort from downtown Toronto to the McMichael on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. By popular demand the Art Bus will continue through October 29, 2023 with two additional weekends added in December: December 8, 9, 10 and 15, 16, 17, 2023.

To the McMichael: The Art Bus departs St. George Station at 10:30 am, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 (NEW for 2023!) at approximately 11:15 am.

Return from the McMichael: The Art Bus departs the McMichael at 3:30 pm, making one stop at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre on Line 1 at approximately 3:50 pm with a final stop at St. George Station.

Cobalt, Ontario—some 500 kilometres north of Toronto—was established in 1904 following the discovery of rich silver, cobalt, ore, and nickel deposits. At peak production in 1911, Colbalt provided approximately one eighth of the world’s silver. In its heyday, the story of Cobalt was known around the world, and the town attracted miners, scientists, scholars, and of course, artists. This exhibition showcases the work of the artists who visited and documented Cobalt and its silver mines between the First and Second World Wars, after much of the natural resource deposits were depleted. Among them was a rising generation of Canadian modern painters which included Yvonne McKague Housser, Bess Larkin Housser Harris, Isabel McLaughlin, Frederick Banting, A.Y. Jackson, and Franklin Carmichael. These artists created works that depicted Canada as a new, modern industrial nation in step with the future—a contrast to the better-known works from this period that picture Canada as untouched wilderness. While some artists conjured Cobalt as a heroic bastion of industry and enterprise, others focused on the town’s grit and dishevelment. This exhibition and its accompanying publication will explore both sides of this dynamic relationship and shine new light on the settler relationship with the natural landscape.

This exhibition is guest curated by Dr. Catherine Mastin.

This new studio program is designed for beginner and intermediate artists who wish to paint with greater freedom and become more expressive.

Under the guidance of professional artist and instructor Dominik Modlinski, this two-day workshop is intended to hone students’ drawing and painting skills and to expand their creative language. Emphasis will be on risk-taking, abstract design, and mark-making – all three necessary components to take one’s work to the next level and create a unique creative signature.

Students will begin this artistic adventure while examining the dynamic power of composition and color . Working from a photo reference, participants will create drawing thumbnail sketches focusing on key areas including light and dark values, edges and lines as a warm-up to composing a dynamic composition. One of these “thumbnails” will be used as the basis for concept development, which will ultimately become a final drawing, and finally, a larger canvas or panel.

Modlinski will introduce students to a foundational structure of using shape, value, color, edges and center of interest. The aim of this workshop is to inspire students to compose artwork based on strong colour contrast principals which are carried diligently throughout creative process resulting in bold and colorful works of art. Students are free to apply the techniques learned in this studio to their own, personal style of painting. This workshop is intended for both oil and acrylic mediums.

Tom Thomson (1877–1917) is indisputably Canada’s preeminent modern painter, and his catalytic achievement changed the face of Canadian painting forever. This exhibition will offer a close look at Thomson’s legacy, focusing on the small en plein air oil paintings, also know as oil sketches, of which he is the supreme master. An account fit for the twenty-first century, the exhibition and accompanying major publication will isolate particular moments of Thomson’s artistic experimentation, and incorporate assessments of his work by leading contemporary artists and writers, exploring Thomson’s evolving public persona as the quintessential outdoorsman, and considering his oeuvre within the framework of the international art of his time.

Cobalt, Ontario—some 500 kilometres north of Toronto—was established in 1904 following the discovery of rich silver, cobalt, ore, and nickel deposits. At peak production in 1911, Colbalt provided approximately one eighth of the world’s silver. In its heyday, the story of Cobalt was known around the world, and the town attracted miners, scientists, scholars, and of course, artists. This exhibition showcases the work of the artists who visited and documented Cobalt and its silver mines between the First and Second World Wars, after much of the natural resource deposits were depleted. Among them was a rising generation of Canadian modern painters which included Yvonne McKague Housser, Bess Larkin Housser Harris, Isabel McLaughlin, Frederick Banting, A.Y. Jackson, and Franklin Carmichael. These artists created works that depicted Canada as a new, modern industrial nation in step with the future—a contrast to the better-known works from this period that picture Canada as untouched wilderness. While some artists conjured Cobalt as a heroic bastion of industry and enterprise, others focused on the town’s grit and dishevelment. This exhibition and its accompanying publication will explore both sides of this dynamic relationship and shine new light on the settler relationship with the natural landscape.

This exhibition is guest curated by Dr. Catherine Mastin.