NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORY
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The annual Carmichael Art History Lecture is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH). The lecture is held each year in May to honour the birthday, (May 4, 1890) and to celebrate contributions of Group of Seven artist Franklin Carmichael.
The concept of holding an annual lecture to honour the Orillia-born Carmichael and to serve as a major fundraiser for OMAH, was created by the late Qennefer Browne. The Carmichael Art History Lecture is in its 14th year.
The History Committee at OMAH is pleased to announce award-winning professor, artist and author Brian Harris as this year’s guest speaker with his talk entitled “Canoe Lake and the Mystery of Tom Thomson.’’
Tom Thomson died before the Group of Seven was formed. However, he had a huge influence on the future Group of Seven painters. Thomson was a pioneer who painted the Canadian landscapes in a bold new way. He fell in love with the beauty and nature of Algonquin Park. His iconic paintings Jack Pine and West Wind were painted while Thomson was living there. Sadly, it was there that Tom Thomson’s life ended.
The circumstances of Thomson’s death at Canoe Lake were mysterious. Was it an accident, or was he murdered? Harris immersed himself in the history of Canoe Lake and Tom Thomson’s story. He spent ten summers working at Canoe Lake and during that time he became familiar with the mystery and the lore that surrounded the death of Thomson.
He became friends with Canoe Lake resident artist Jack Estaugh, who was involved with attempting to dig up the body of Tom Thomson in 1956. Harris’s book Canoe Lake, looks at the influence that Canoe Lake has had on the Group of Seven, the mystery of Tom Thomson’s death and his unexpected rise as one of Canada’s foremost painters.
Harris was educated at the University of Toronto and the Ontario College of Art and Design. An artist in his own right, Harris has captured the essence of Canoe Lake in his many paintings and has internalized the beauty of the lake that drew Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven to it. His works have been shown in various galleries and juried shows and are in private collections worldwide. In addition to Canoe Lake, Harris has authored a series of travel-related books and uses his paintings as illustrations for his books.
The story and mystique surrounding Tom Thomson’s death, 100 years after his passing, still holds fascination. Perhaps you have heard the rumours of what happened to Tom Thomson on July 8, 1917. Now be prepared to hear from Harris accounts of that fateful day that residents of Canoe Lake have passed on to their families. Please join us to hear Harris tell Tom Thomson’s story.
Harris’s book Canoe Lake will be available for purchase at the end of the evening. In addition, Harris will have some of his paintings on display and for sale. He will generously donate 50% percent of proceeds of any sale to OMAH.
Tickets for the Carmichael Lecture are $15 per person and are sale at the OMAH front desk. Please call OMAH at 705-326-2159 if you require further information.
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