Muskoka: An Artist’s Paradise

Mark Kulas painting (photo via Artists of the Limberlost)

The Muskoka landscape with its natural beauty, abundance of wildlife and peaceful atmosphere Open Studio Tour is on August 17 & 18 from 10-6.
have been attracting artists for years. This coming weekend, you can see the works of our local artists just up the road from Colonial Bay. The Artists of the Limberlost

Each studio is open to the public so that you can see the art, techniques and working environment of the artists. The studios also invite guest artists to exhibit their work. Here’s who you’ll see if you take the tour this weekend:

Studio 1
Jerry Friedman - driftwood sculpture
Guests:
Brad Wookie - wildlife watercolour
Barb Ten Eyke - painter

Studio 2
Susan Higgins - fused & stained glass
Guest: Vicki Sharp - jewellery

Studio 3
Brian Markham - woodturning
Guests:
Carol-Ann Michaelson – pottery
Bob McLean - painting

Studio 4
Mark Kulas – painting (pictured above)
Guest: Dan Hill - pottery

Studio 5
Catherine O’Mara - egg tempera painting
Guests:
Cirvan Hamilton - contemporary furniture
Rudi Stade - rustic furniture

Studio 6
Brenda Wainman Goulet - bronze sculpture
Guest: Elizabeth Siegfried - photography

Studio 7
Jeff Miller - oil & acrylic painting

To see more of Muskoka’s talented artists, consider taking in these other art experiences:

• The Art Space by the Huntsville Art Society (across from River Mill Park in Huntsville, open Tues – Sun). In addition to art, from Aug 15-21 you can enjoy The Art Space Sessions—intimate concerts featuring local musicians.
• Have you found all of the murals in the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery? Celebrating the unique art of Tom Thomson and The Group of Seven, these large outdoor murals are scattered throughout Huntsville with satellite installations in Algonquin Park, Dorset, Dwight, and Baysville. Take a tour of the downtown Huntsville collection using this map.
• To the west of Colonial Bay in the heart of Algonquin Park is the Algonquin Art Centre. Their current exhibit celebrates The Canadian Sheild. The Algonquin Art Centre is open daily (10-5) until October 21.

Summer isn’t over yet. If you’re looking to make one last getaway before the kids go back to school or your Fall schedule starts in earnest, check the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

We hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family

Making Art in Muskoka

From the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery

The arts are alive and well in Muskoka and Fall is the ideal time to explore the diversity of artists in our region.

First, check out The Art Space by the Huntsville Art Society (across from River Mill Park in Huntsville, open Tues – Sun). From August 31 to September 30, The Art Space presents Canadian Spirit/Huntsville, “an interactive installation of music, painting,  and sculpture  as part of Huntsville’s celebration of  the 100th anniversary of Tom Thompson in conjunction with the Tom Thomson Gallery in Owen Sound”.

While you’re in town, don’t forget to search out the murals that make up the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery (pictured in the image above). Celebrating the unique art of Tom Thomson and The Group of Seven, these large outdoor murals are scattered throughout Huntsville with satellite installations in Algonquin Park, Dorset, Dwight, and Baysville. Take a tour of the downtown Huntsville collection using this map.

If you drive to the other Group of Seven satellite installations, make sure you stop in at the Algonquin Art Centre to see their latest exhibit. “Our 2012 art exhibit celebrates the unique story of water in Algonquin, from its origins in the Park’s highlands to its oceanic destinations. The story is told through the perspective of Canada’s leading landscape and wildlife artists, whose works reveal the powerful and inspiring nature of water.” The Algonquin Art Centre is open until October 21.

One of the highlights of the Fall art season is the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour, which gives visitors a peek into the studios of area artists. “Conceived by one individual three decades ago, the idea of giving people a glimpse into the studios where raw materials are transformed into superb art pieces still holds its appeal.” This year’s tour is September  22-23 and 29-30.

Fall is one of the most beautiful time to visit Muskoka and combining your stay with a visit to local artisans makes it doubly so. If you’ve never been to Muskoka in the Fall, maybe this should be the year. You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

We hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family

An Artist’s Life

Muskoka’s pristine beauty has long been a haven for artists, retreating here to fuel their creative souls. The most well-known of these were Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven who extensively painted scenes from both Algonquin Park and the surrounding region. For the past 14 years, reproductions of their works have been displayed in The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery throughout Huntsville and Lake of Bays so that everyone can enjoy the beauty of their art. There are 33 murals displayed throughout downtown Huntsville, with others at the Canada Summit Centre, Muskoka Heritage Place and Huntsville High School. The gallery has expanded with satellite displays in Dwight, Dorset, Baysville and Algonquin Park. You can find a map of all locations here http://www.thegroupofsevenoutdoorgallery.ca. Why not check it out the next time you visit?

To see the work of some of Muskoka’s contemporary artists, there are open studio tours throughout the summer that showcase the variety of art forms practiced in Muskoka. The next one is this coming weekend, August 13 & 14. The Artists of the Limberlost Open Studio Tour (http://www.arti​stsofthelimberl​ost.ca/open-stu​dio-weekend.htm​l) runs from 10am-6pm both days and starts just across the street from Colonial Bay (how convenient!). If you’re planning to be here, visit with these artists to find out what inspires them.

We still have some availability for the rest of the summer and into the fall. We look forward to visiting with you!

The Howell Family