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During the summer trips, Thomson would invite all his painter
friends to join him for excursions into the Park to paint, where he
would act as guide and host.
As the summers went on, Thomson became a fixture in the Park.
The old logging community of Mowat, on Canoe Lake, was his home
base. Here he met and established a relationship with Huntsville
resident Winnifred Trainor. The couple was often seen together in
Huntsville, where Thomson often visited her at her home located
at Centre and Minerva streets. This relationship blossomed into a
closeness that others would see as more than just friends and it was
rumoured that the pair were engaged to be married in the summer
of 1917. Tom, however, mysteriously disappeared that July and was
found drowned in Canoe Lake eight days later.
In the five short years that Thomson was painting in Huntsville
and Algonquin Park, he produced over three hundred pieces of
art, most of which are his daily sketches. These works became
his legacy to our country. His artist friends took up his torch and
carried it high to create “The Group of Seven,” engaging his subject
matter and painting style, forging a Canadian cultural identity.
Thomson’s first trip to Huntsville and Algonquin Park is the
genesis of his genius. It has now been one hundred years since that
first sketching trip: Thomson’s artwork is more valuable than ever
and the work of the Group of Seven is recognized internationally as
the quintessential Canadian expression in art. The words inscribed
on Thomson’s Memorial Cairn at Canoe Lake were written by his
friend and mentor J.E.H. MacDonald of The Group of Seven and
beautifully sum up Thomson’s life of art in Algonquin Park.
“Tom Thomson - Artist, guide and woodsman, he lived humbly
but passionately with the wild. It made him brother to all untamed
things of nature. It drew him apart and revealed itself wonderfully to
him. It sent him out from the woods only to show these revelations
through his art and it took him to itself at last. His fellow artists, and
other friends and admirers, join gladly in this tribute to his character
and genius.”
Come celebrate this centennial anniversary with us, as we
endeavor upon our third bi-annual Group of Seven Mural Festival.
Come out and enjoy the over 80 murals in the Group of Seven
Outdoor Gallery that encompasses the Huntsville/Lake of Bays
area. Our festival will be in full swing in July 2012 – watch the murals
come to life as world-class artists recreate the famous masterpieces.
You can become a part of the creative experience by joining us on
Main Street in Huntsville to help us paint our Community Mural,
wherein all passersby and interested persons are invited to add a
brush stroke to one of our famous murals. We look forward to
seeing you in Huntsville in July!
For information about the Group of Seven
Outdoor Gallery and guided tours, please visit
www.groupofsevenoutdoorgallery.ca
La Dolce Vita Trattoria
705.787.0662
ladolcevitahuntsville.ca
21 West Street South, Huntsville
eve.ladolcevita@sympatico.ca
Authentic Italian Cuisine
Century Home Charm
Dinner daily at 5pm - Closed Tuesdays
S EVEN
MAIN CAFÉ
FEATURING MUSKOKA ROASTERY COFFEE
A qUAINT ANd COzY NEIGhbOURhOOd CAFé lOCATEd
IN ThE OldEST COMMERCIAl bUIldING ON MAIN STREET.
Featuring:
Breakfast sandwiches, wraps and bagels
Made to order sandwiches, wraps & Panini for lunch
Home-made soups, salads
Muskoka Roastery Coffee, a selection of fine teas
Homemade treats and other local fare
Ask about our catering options.
Check out our unique selection of gifts and custom made baskets.
Open at 7:00am weekdays, 8:30am on Saturdays.
7 Main Street West, Huntsville, Ontario P1H 2C5 705-789-3107
www.sevenmaincafe.ca
WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 35
photo courtesy of D. Noon