The Carmichael Canadian Landscape Exhibition: Tradition Transformed was created in recognition of Group of Seven member, Franklin Carmichael, who was born in Orillia. Now in its 21st year, this juried exhibition calls on artists from across the country to submit work that reimagines the Canadian landscape through the artist’s chosen medium. While Carmichael believed in traditionalism and classical modes of artistic expression, he was very much invested in contemporary artistic styles having been inspired by his native Canadian surroundings.

The landscape is a place of unique national character and pride for Canadians of different and unique backgrounds, but is also a mirror that reflects change, settlement and environmental deterioration. Tradition Transformed marks the ever-changing landscape of the artist’s mind, fulfilling the Group of Seven’s aim to create a uniquely Canadian identity.

Installation Photos

The Paul Quarrington Multidisciplinary Arts Award: $500

This award is named in honour of Paul Quarrington and is awarded to an artist incorporating at least two mediums into their submission.  The Quarrington Multidisciplinary Arts Award honours the contributions Paul Quarrington made to Canada’s artistic community.  Paul was a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, filmmaker, musician and educator. 

The juror’s have awarded the Quarrington Multidisciplinary Arts Award to Peter Fyfe for his artwork ABM Art Bank of Muskoka – Landscape Viewing Unit.

The Kevin J. Batchelor Emerging Artist Award: $1000

This award is given to an emerging artist working in either one of the 2-D mediums such as painting, drawing or mixed media and was selected by the Batchelor family.

This year’s recipient is Nancy Bennett for her artwork Afternoon Skate.

The Jurors’ Prize: $1500

The Jurors’ Prize is awarded to an artist who best exemplifies the qualities that Franklin Carmichael found ideal, that is, incorporating diversity in their work and remaining sophisticated in their depictions of the various landscapes in our geography. The recipient of this award should visibly be embracing, challenging or addressing existing approaches to Canadian landscapes.

This year’s Jurors’ Prize has been awarded to Tammy McClennan for her artwork, Temporary Landscape which is an Interactive Installation.