McMichael Canadian Art Collection

06/10/2026

Now streaming: 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 Curatorial Talk 🌲

Curator John Geoghegan takes you inside 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 — exploring the artists who helped shape Canada's visual identity and the enduring legacy they left behind.

Whether you've already visited the exhibition or are planning your trip, this talk offers fresh insights into the paintings, stories, and ideas at the heart of 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩.

Watch the full curatorial talk on YouTube →

Curatorial Talk — Old Growth: Masterworks by the Group of Seven and...

06/09/2026

Celebrating with a luminous Emily Carr. 🌊

𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘶𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘢 — now on view in 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘈𝘪𝘳 — captures the sweeping waters that stretch between Vancouver Island and Washington's Olympic Peninsula, curving around Carr's hometown of Victoria, BC, before opening out to the vast Pacific Ocean.

In the 1930s, encouraged by Lawren Harris, Carr turned her attention to the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Seeking to express not just what she saw, but what she felt, she painted the region’s towering forests, expansive skies, and restless waters with a profound sense of wonder and reverence.

To evoke the movement and light of the coast, Carr experimented with an innovative technique: diluting oil with gasoline and applying it to paper. The result is fluid and atmospheric, hovering between oil painting and watercolour—alive with energy, light, and air.

Experience 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘶𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘢 in 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘈𝘪𝘳: 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘈𝘤𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵, on view now. → https://mcmichael.com/exhibition/fresh-air-new-acquisitions-in-context/

Emily Carr (1871–1945), 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘶𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘢, c. 1936, oil on paper laid down on paperboard, 60.7 x 91.3 cm, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Max Stern, Dominion Gallery, Montreal, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1974.18.2

06/07/2026

Poet and artist Zachari Logan comes to the McMichael on June 28 to celebrate 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 — his newly published collection of poetry and luminous green-toned sketches inspired by travel, the natural world, art, and architecture 🌿

Join us for a conversation with McMichael Deputy Chief Curator Jennifer Withrow, followed by a reading by Logan set against the backdrop of the McMichael's beautiful grounds in summer.

June 28, 2026 | 1–2 PM | Free with admission

🎟️ Book your tickets → https://mcmichael.com/event/artists-talk-zachari-logan-green/

06/06/2026

From quick sketch to finished canvas — glimpse Arthur Lismer's process up close. 🌿

Painted on Georgian Bay and later developed in his Toronto studio, 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯, 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘺 reveals how Lismer transformed a spontaneous plein air sketch into a richly detailed finished canvas.

The original study, created quickly outdoors, is alive with loose brushwork and broad gestures. In the painting, Lismer expands the composition, adding more sky and trees while carefully refining every detail—from the shadows cast across individual sumac leaves to the plants that carpet the forest floor.

See both works side by side in 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 and discover how an artist’s first impression evolves into a finished vision.

On view now → https://mcmichael.com/exhibition/old-growth-masterworks-by-the-group-of-seven-and-their-contemporaries/

1/ Arthur Lismer, 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯, 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘺, 1933 or 1935, oil on canvas, 52.9 x 65.6 cm, Purchase 1986,1986.54.2
2/ Arthur Lismer, 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯, 𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘺, oil on hardboard, 29.2 x 38.9 cm, Purchase 1986, 1986.54.1

06/05/2026

06/03/2026

See you this June! ☀️

Learn more about our upcoming events and plan your visit now → https://mcmichael.com/events/

06/02/2026

✨ Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Moonlight Gala 2026 ✨

It was a magical evening under the stars in celebration of the art of Canada. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered, sponsored, and supported the event. Your generosity helps ensure that the transformative power of art continues to enrich our community and inspire visitors from near and far.

Special thanks to our Honourary Co-Chairs, Hon. Steven Del Duca , Mayor, City of Vaughan, and Hon. Stephen Lecce, MPP King—Vaughan and Minister of Energy and Mines; our Guest of Honour, Hon. Stan Cho, MPP Willowdale and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming; and our Gala Co-Chairs, Debra Fenwick and Laura Mirabella.

Presenting Sponsors: CIBPA of Toronto | Generation Capital

Platinum Sponsor: 407 ETR

Silver Sponsors: Bazil Developments | Burgundy Asset Management | The King Weekly Sentinel | The MacNamara Family | RPIA | Spirit of Generosity | TD Bank

Bronze Sponsors: Canadian Shield Capital | RBC | Scotia Wealth Management | SmartCentres

Copper Sponsors: Armland Group | CIBC | Cidel | Forum Asset Management | The McCleave Family Foundation | QuadReal | The Regional Municipality of York | Zzen Group/ Hollow Vision

Valet Sponsor: Zanchin Automotive Group

Community Sponsors: AMICA | DWPV Services Limited Partnership (Davies) | Deloitte | Dorsay Management Corporation | Forest Group | Garden Group | Hogg, Shain & Scheck | Kerbel Group | KPMG | LiUNA! | Elizabeth Margles and Dr. Stephen Halman | Masters Insurance | Mosaik Homes | National Bank Capital Markets | TACC/Fieldgate/Paradise | Tourism Vaughan

Media, Marketing and Agency Partners: Bruce Mau Design | Mekanism | The Globe and Mail | Pattison Outdoor Advertising | The Printing House | Dolce Media Group | Pure Luxury Magazine | TLN | The Voice | Elvira Caria | Suppa Media | Render Media

Lead Wine Sponsor: Stratus

📸 Special thanks to George Pimentel Photography, Valeria Mitsubata Photography and Design Rooster for capturing the evening so beautifully.

05/29/2026

A wall of sketches in 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩: 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 reveals Tom Thomson’s deep fascination with light and atmosphere in Algonquin Park at different times of day.

In 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘺 (1915), Thomson captures a familiar Ontario scene: rolling afternoon clouds drifting above calm water and distant hills on a warm summer day. Working with a limited colour palette, Thomson has captured the rolling clouds, calm water, and distant hills, beautifully expressing the bountiful feeling of a summer afternoon on an Ontario lake.

Plan your visit to see 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘺 in 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩, on view now → https://mcmichael.com/exhibition/old-growth/

Tom Thomson, 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘢𝘺 1915, oil on board, Gift of Mr. R.A. Laidlaw, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1966.15.18

05/28/2026

Please note that CABIN will have modified service this weekend as we prepare for our annual Moonlight Gala 📢

Fri May 29 & Sun May 31 — Service on the lower level and patio only
Sat May 30 — CABIN will be serving light refreshments only and closing at 1 pm. The gallery will also be closing early at 3 pm.

Visiting this weekend? Ask our front desk for a curated list of wonderful local restaurants nearby.

We appreciate your patience and look forward to welcoming you back with our full menu and service on Tuesday, June 2!

05/27/2026

Poet and artist Zachari Logan comes to the McMichael on June 28 to celebrate 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 — his newly published collection of poetry and luminous green-toned sketches inspired by travel, the natural world, art, and architecture 🌿

Join us for a reading by Logan followed by a conversation with McMichael Deputy Chief Curator Jennifer Withrow, set against the backdrop of the McMichael's beautiful grounds in summer.

June 28, 2026 | 1–2 PM | Free with admission

🎟️ Book your tickets → https://mcmichael.com/event/artists-talk-zachari-logan-green/