Ride the rails and celebrate the Group of Seven

Algoma University
News Release

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Sault Ste. Marie - On Saturday, September 19th, the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) in partnership with Searchmont Resort and NORDIK Institute will celebrate the 91st Anniversary of the Group of Seven artists painting from the Algoma Central Railway Boxcar. This year Franklin Carmichael's work will be featured. His grand-daughter Catharine Mastin, an art historian at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, will speak about his work. Catharine's presentation is being sponsored by the Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie. The Group of Seven were all friends that shared the belief that the true spirit of Canada could be found in its northern landscape. To gain access to the remote Algoma region, they rented a boxcar from the ACR and outfitted it like a cabin.

This would be their home while painting in the region for several years between 1918 and 1923. The boxcar would be shunted to sidings near choice painting locations and from there the artists would then set out on foot or by canoe to capture the beauty and ruggedness of this northern part of the country.

The group all shared a vision of what Canadian art should depict. Their main concern was to reveal Canada to Canadians. With their unique style they forever changed the way Canadians looked at their country. Today, this incredible and diverse group of painters remain among the very best artists to depict Canada. Their works are so rooted into our national psyche that they seem as real as the earth and sky that inspired them.

On September 19th an event will be held to honour the group and their work in the Algoma region. The event will begin with a picturesque train ride from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to Searchmont, Ontario, part of the train route that the Group of Seven travelled. The event will be held at Searchmont Resort and a variety of activities will be offered, including: guided nature walks; reproductions of the Group of Seven's work narrated by Michael Burtch; a discussion of Franklin Carmichael's work by his grand-daughter, Catharine Mastin; oil painting workshops taught by Taimi Poldmaa; water-colour workshops taught by Sheila Currie; photography workshops taught by Tim Harris and live entertainment provided by the TimeTravellers musical group.

A gourmet lunch will also be served.

There are three ticket options. Ticket option #1 is $55.00 which includes a train ride to the event, all activities, lunch and a bus ride returning to Sault Ste. Marie. Ticket option #2 is $45.00 and includes a bus ride to and from the event, all activities and lunch. Ticket option #3 is $35.00 which includes all activities and lunch but purchasers must provide their own transportation to and from the event.

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