The Path of the Group of Seven – discover their nature!
100 Anniversary in 2020 of their first art exhibit
Suggested Dates:
End of August/ beginning of September 2018
5 media participants
+ 1 escort Germany
+ 1 escort OTMPC (TBC)
Overview
· The following itinerary has been prepared for you courtesy of Ontario. I hope you have an enjoyable and informative visit! Itinerary subject to change without notice.
· Please note that the costs for your trip include, accommodations in Toronto and Sault Ste Marie, guided activities, most meals, all attractions as noted in itinerary are complimentary or guided activity. Note: ANY incidentals, gratuities and any personal expenses are YOUR responsibility. ALCOHOL is limited to 2 glasses of Ontario wine or beer during hosted dinners ONLY.
· Please note that it is YOUR responsibility to have proper up to date documentation for travel (i.e., Passport), travel/medical insurance for your trip, Eta.
· You MUST present a valid credit card for checking into hotels AND you must have a valid business card to present when using any attraction passes.
Contacts:
Diane Helinski
Ontario Tourism
Tel: 416 314 7554
Cell#: 416 953-1322
Email:
Day 1 – Monday, September 4
Arrive from Germany and transfer to a connecting flight to Sault Ste Marie
Currently flights departing YYZ at: 14:20 arriving at 15:51
16:45 arriving at 18:16
Check into hotel for a 3 night stay
Possible visit at a local gallery to see some works of the Group of Seven and hear about the history as to why they were considered so controversial at the time.
Dinner at a local restaurant
Day 2 - Tuesday, September 5
7:15 a.m. We’ll head over to the Agawa Train Station
7:30 a.m. Board the Agawa Train for a 3.5 hour journey up the Agawa Canyon. (Breakfast on board). The Group of Seven use to book the caboose (last car) of the train to travel up to the Canyon. From here they set up camp and then paddle out or hiked to locations to paint the local landscape.
11:30 a.m. Arrive at the Canyon – we’ll have approximately 1.5 hours to hike to the lookout point.
1:00 p.m. Back to the terminal and we’ll board the train again and return to Sault Ste Marie.
I’ll see if we can get a painter to chat to us about the GofS and perhaps we can do a little painting on the journey back.
5:00 p.m. Approximate time back into Sault Ste Marie. Upon arrival we’ll head to the local gallery for a tour and view some of the paintings of the Group of Seven.
Later head back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
Evening Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3 – Wednesday, September 6
Morning Breakfast
Board the van for the 1.5 hour drive to Batchawana Bay. Here we’ll meet a local operator and head out on Voyageur canoe trip on Lake Superior to see the landscape of where some of the Group of Seven painted.
After lunch we’ll continue the drive along the coast to follow the trail and stop and see the various locations they painted - you see images of the paintings and compare as you see the locations that inspired their works. Might have time to do some painting!
Late afternoon return back to Sault Ste Marie
Day 4 – Thursday, September 7
Morning Breakfast at the hotel followed by check out.
Flight departs for Toronto this morning
Late morning Arrive in Toronto and then transfer to a van and head to nearby Kleinburg.
12:00 p.m. We’ll have a light lunch in town before we go to the gallery.
1:00 p.m. Arrive at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and have a guided visit of the Gallery. (tour approx. 1.25 hour)
The McMichael’s were great collectors of art and had become friends of many of the Group of Seven, and bought many of their works. Their home was often visited by the members of the Group of Seven. Today part of their home is now gallery/Art Collection and 5 of the Group of Seven are buried on site. The cabin that Tom Thomson used is on site and you can peak through the windows and see the paint palette etc.
McMichael Canadian Art Collection Tel: (905) 893-1121
10365 Islington Ave
Vaughan, ON L0J 1C0 Contact: XXX
Contact: Nick Foglia Cell # 416-921-2678
Director, Communications, Mkt & Sales tel: 905.893.1121 ext. 2265
www.mcmichael.com
2:30 p.m. You have time to visit the gift shop, grave sites and cabin before we depart. (30 min)
3:00 p.m. From here we’ll continue on to downtown Toronto where you will have a 1 night stay.
4:00 p.m. Check into the hotel for a 1 night stay. Enjoy some free time before we meet for dinner
7:30 p.m. Dinner at a local restaurant
Day 5 – Friday, September 8
Morning Breakfast at the hotel followed by check out and store your luggage.
9:45 a.m. We’ll depart by taxis to the Art Gallery of Ontario
10:00 a.m. Enjoy a guided visit of the Art Gallery of Ontario for a 1.5 hour tour to focus on the works of The Group of Seven. They had their first exhibition here in 1920. NOTE: you CANNOT take any photos of the works of the Group of Seven or ANY other paintings. Should you require any images – please contact Caitlin Coull directly.
Art Gallery of Ontario Gen Tel: (416) 979-6648
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1G4
Contact Caitlin Coull Tel: 416-979-6660 x 364
Manager, Communications
Email: AGO.net | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
NOTE: Lauren Harris purchased a building back in the day and it was his studio – on the land was the original cabin studio of Tom Thomson. Today the building is privately owned but still used as an artist studio. You can always walk by the building to see the location. Located just a short walk from the Rosedale Subway Station, off of Rosedale Valley Road. This is located north of the intersection of Yonge & Bloor Streets.
11:30 p.m. Afternoon is free to explore the city at your leisure before heading to the airport. (lunch is on your own).
5:30 p.m. Take taxi’s to UNION Station and take the UP Express to Terminal 1 to check in for your late flight back to Germany.