Art is in our nature. Beyond the galleries, you can explore 100 acres of forested land in the Humber River Valley – from a ridgetop ‘wilderness garden,’ planted by the McMichaels to echo the northern forest beloved of the Group of Seven, to the heritage waterway important to indigenous peoples in this area.
This innovative camp will inspire children to try fun, interesting techniques in studio while creating paintings, drawings, prints, and more. Campers will experience The Art of Canada while exploring its landscape, indoors and out.
Immerse yourself in the tradition of storytelling as you and your family are guided through Canadian tales. Space is limited for in-gallery circles, so get there fast! Locations will be announced.
Explore the world of Norval Morrisseau like never before. Respond in colour, texture, shape, and line in this neat iPad workshop. Make a painting beside a masterpiece, only at the McMichael!
Pick up an #iSpyMcMichael map and hit the trails to "see what we see”. Follow the family trail and locate some McMichael favourite treasures hidden on the grounds. Snap a pic, use the hashtag and share with friends - we'll be spying too!
Lawren Harris sought greater spiritual heights as his career progressed. From looking up at mountains tops he turned inwards into states of mind. This iconic Canadian landscape painter took a seemingly unexpected turn toward abstract art in 1934–the year in which he moved to the United States, where he remained until 1940. While he came back to Canada, he rarely returned to painting landscapes but remained committed to the challenges of modernism and abstraction.
Each landscape has an abstract, graphic presence at its core. This intense, fun, hands-on course will teach artists to go beyond the obvious and truly explore composition, movement, texture, colour and bring out abstracted form and colour, whether they are beginners wishing to start developing a style of their own, or established artists looking to refine theirs in the medium of their choice.
A petit déjeuner followed by a guided tour in French of the Higher States exhibition, which focuses on Lawren Harris’s spiritual and artistic explorations during the 1930s and 40s, and his involvement in the Transcendental Painting Group.
Formed in 2007 by Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra violist Janz Castelo, the critically acclaimed Buffalo Chamber Players are known for exploring both historical chamber music masterworks as well as contemporary works.
Reflecting on their experiences of bringing Lawren Harris art to both Canadian and American audiences, this lively exchange between Dr. Sarah Stanners, the McMichael Chief Curator, and Andrew Hunter, the Fredrik S. Eaton Curator, Canadian Art, at the AGO, will explore the challenges faced by brave curators who strive to produce popular yet intellectually meaningful exhibitions.
Explore essential watercolour techniques and embark on perception exercises, both of which enhance ways of “seeing” that enable participants to paint directly from nature and interpret photographic references in this two-day class.
Finn O'Hara has been working as a portrait and landscape photographer for the past 15 years. During this workshop, you’ll learn about the production and narrative concepts behind his most recent images and projects - from portraits of Robert Duvall and the late Rob Ford, to images from the Steve Driscoll & Finn O’Hara: Size Matters exhibition debuting at the McMichael on March 11, 2017.
Jean Larrivée and his team created a guitar inspired by artist A.Y. Jackson. Larrivée will be in discussion with astronaut Chris Hadfield in a moderated conversation as well as a live performance, with Hadfield playing this very special guitar.
This class will concentrate on studies in design, composition, and values. You will be equipped with the skills to create expressive, yet structured, non-objective paintings full of life and spirit.
This class will concentrate on studies in design, composition, and values. You will be equipped with the skills to create expressive, yet structured, non-objective paintings full of life and spirit.
Grit Laskin created this guitar inspired by the work of F.H. Varley. Laskin will be in discussion with celebrated guitarist Jesse Cook in a moderated conversation as well as a live performance, with Cook playing this very special guitar.
Explore The Group of Seven Guitar Project through a conversation led by exhibition curator Sarah Stanners, Director of Curatorial & Collections at the McMichael, with producers Jason Charters and Liam Romalis of Toronto-based Riddle Films, the production company that produced a feature-length documentary on the making of these very special guitars.
Sergei de Jonge created a birchbark guitar inspired by the work, and historical context, of artist J.E.H. MacDonald. The luthier will be in a moderated discussion with musician Emma Rush before a special live performance with this guitar.
On June 21, celebrate National Aboriginal Day at the McMichael! Enjoy heritage trail walks led by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), family story walks from Vaughan Public Libraries, storytelling and workshops in the McMichael's gallery spaces, and live performances by national hoop dancing champion Lisa Odjig, and the Manitou Mkwa Singers! A Land Acknowledgment Ceremony with Elder Jim Dumont will take place in the Sculpture Garden earlier in the day.
This family festival engages the senses through various art workshops related to exhibitions on view. Evolving around musical themes, take part in family performances and outdoor activities such as McMichael Art Battles and the En Plein Air Competition. This programming will be offered in partnership with JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band and Kleinburg BIA.