Sunny skies greet art pilgrims on 20th Manitoulin Art Tour
MANITOULIN—The Manitoulin Fine Arts Association 20th annual Manitoulin Art Tour draws art lovers from across the province and beyond each year as local Island artists and galleries showcase their art in an informal setting conducive to conversations and reflection.
There were over 100 artists spread across 36 locations that covered the length and breadth of Manitoulin Island.
MFAA art tour organizer Lorraine Loranger was very excited about the 20th anniversary edition of the tour. “We have people who are participating for their 20th year, other people who have left and come back over the years and some new people. It is quite a history,” she said.
A key element of the tour this year are the fibre artists. “We have pushed for fibre art people,” said Ms. Loranger. “Fibre art is a fast growing sector.”
The Manitoulin Art Tour got a bit of a boost from our big city neighbours, as the Art Gallery of Sudbury has included the tour as part of its Group of Seven itinerary. “We are quite pleased that the art tour is part of the Group of Seven intinerary,” said Ms. Loranger, noting that the prominence played by the region in inspiring Canada’s most famous group of artists’ works. “I have had a number of phone calls from different areas.”
The inclusion of a major display in Wikwemikong was also a great new addition to the tour. “We have 15 artists at the new gallery in Wikwemikong,” said Ms. Loranger. “We are trying to promote a little more off Highway 6 this year.”
For many of the artists, the opportunity to promote their passion to a new generation is a rejuvenating bonus from participating in the tour.
“One mother came in with her little girl,” recalled Ms. Loranger. “She was so excited about the different artists that she was getting to meet and learn about their work.”
Professional artists like Neon Raven’s Ann Beam find that the Manitoulin Art Tour is a great way to spread the word about their upcoming shows. “I am really excited about the solo show July 14 to October 5,” said Ms. Beam as she provided a tour of the unique adobe buildings and stone oven built with her husband, the late Canadian artistic icon Carl Beam. The Stratford Gallery show is the fourth solo exhibition for Ms. Beam this year as she comes into prominence in her own right. “I have an opportunity to show some of my larger works,” she said.
For artist Rochelle Neal the tour is not only an opportunity to showcase her latest work but an opportunity to meet old friends as well. Her gallery built on the shores of Lake Mindemoya provides an inspirational setting that augments trips abroad to more capture exotic subjects in Tuscany and Venice.
The Perivale Art Gallery is a must-see destination for those coming to Manitoulin’s art scene and second generation proprietor Shannon McMullan enjoys the opportunity to bring art from across the world to the shores of Lake Manitou and to showcase up and coming young artists.
“Whether they were relaxing over lunch in the shaded glades, wandering the lush gardens or lingering over the exceptional works of artists from Manitoulin and beyond, visitors’ enjoyment was evident and they readily expressed it,” said gallery owner Shannon McMullan. “The iconic high realism of Ivan Wheale’s Georgian Bay landscapes garnered much admiration, as veteran tour participants return year after year to see the latest offerings from Ivan’s easel. As well, it is always such a pleasure to introduce newcomers to the works of our talented Manitoulin region artists such as Beth Bouffard, Barry Bowerman, Kerry Butler, Kathy Dolan, Len Harfield, Jack Whyte, Judy Martin and Perivale’s summer intern, Carly Gordon.”
There is certainly something for everyone on the Manitoulin Art Tour.
“I like to have bowls with nice things to eat,” smiles jewellery and clothing designer Ursula Hettmann. “It gives some of the husbands something to do while their wives are trying on the jewellery and clothing.”
