October 26, 2011, Kleinburg, ON…With the recent opening of a critically-acclaimed exhibition in England at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, there has never been as much European interest in the late Canadian artist, Tom Thomson. On Saturday, November 12, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection celebrates the legendary Tom Thomson—on this side of the Atlantic—with day-long programming, including a Thomson discussion by filmmakers, an author, and a curator, as well as a book signing with Roy MacGregor, and a special first-time public screening of a recently-completed Thomson movie with documentary filmmakers Michèle Hozer and Nancy Lang.

The gallery in Kleinburg, the spiritual home of the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, is a major contributor to Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, the current Tom Thomson/Group of Seven touring exhibition in Europe. The gallery is bringing together some of the world’s leading Thomson experts for a day of unique programming based on the growing interest in the artist.

Last year, Globe and Mail columnist Roy MacGregor wrote Northern Light: The Enduring Mystery of Tom Thomson and the Woman Who Loved Him, a Canadian best-selling novel about Tom Thomson. He will be at the gallery on the 12th to talk on stage about Thomson with film editor and co-director Michèle Hozer, and writer and co-producer Nancy Lang. The pair have spent the last two years (including at the McMichael) filming the new documentary, West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson. The discussion begins at 11:00 a.m. Registration is required to purchase tickets and there are limited seats left. Call 905.893.1121 ext. 2209.

McMichael Chief Curator Katerina Atanassova has been a key resource in the creation of the touring European exhibition, Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. At 1:30 p.m. on November 12, she will discuss this important project involving several of the McMichael collection’s Tom Thomson artworks. This talk is included with gallery admission.

The afternoon continues in celebration with Roy MacGregor’s book signing at 2:00 p.m. followed by the first public screening of the new documentary, West Wind: The Vision of Tom Thomson, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is included with gallery admission.

-30-

For further information or to receive images, contact:

Michelle Kortinen, Communications Coordinator

905.893.1121 ext. 2210

mkortinen@mcmichael.com