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Temiskaming, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Google Maps
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After visiting Cobalt we continue north and quickly reach the city of Temiskaming Shores. Created through the amalgamation of Haileybury, New Liskeard and Dymond township in 2004, the city is located along the northwestern shores of Lake Timiskaming.3
The City of Temiskaming Shores
Credits:Temiskaming
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A long thin lake lends its name to the District of Timiskaming. When voyagers in canoe first inquired as to the name of the lake they had to make the man on the bank repeat the strange sounds many times before finally transcribing it as "Themiskamingue." To add to the confusion, there are several different spellings for Temiskaming still in use today. In general, English speaking inhabitants use the spelling "Temiskaming," although the territorial district, federal electoral district, and the name of the lake are spelt as Timiskaming. In the Province of Quebec, there is the town of Témiscaming, but the regional spelling is Témiscamingue.5
Outdoors in Temiskaming ShoresTemiskaming Shores, Ontario Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Shores
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Lake Timiskaming rests along the border of Ontario and Quebec and is divided between the two provinces. In Onatrio it is officially called "Lake Timiskaming," and in Quebec, "Lac Temiscamingue." Regardless of how it is spelt, the name means "deep waters" or "deep lake", and so it is, both deep and dangerous.For more information please visit:
www.temiskamingshores.ca
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Installation view of Temiskaming Art GalleryHaileybury, Ontario, Canada
Credits:www.temiskamingartgallery.ca
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TEMISKAMING ART GALLERYIn the mid 1970's, Bette Campbell and Eleanor Huff had been taking art classes with the artist Caroline MacArthur and together they decided to put on an exhibition of art at the library of Haileybury. The exhibition was of work by artists from the local art clubs and MacArthur's art classes. The exhibition was well received but the display in the library was not ideal as work was placed on shelves or wherever space could be found. There was clearly a need for a dedicated gallery space for artwork.
At one end of the building where the library was housed was an apartment rented out by the town. A request was made to have the space converted into a gallery. Once the city approved that request Betty and Eleanor organized a fund raising campaign to renovate the space. As a result, the Library Board formed an art gallery committee. Bette Campbell became the chair of this committee while Eleanor Huff became the new chair of the library. Jack Mason became the treasurer of the new Art Gallery Committee. The gallery was run by this committee as part of the library for several years.
Jack Mason made the first donation toward renovating the gallery, and the committee received major funds from a grant provided by Wintario. The committee then contacted the Art Gallery of Ontario who sent two representatives to advise on the renovation of the gallery. They were exceptionally helpful in providing practical and economical ways of making the gallery work. For instance they suggested using chains for hanging the artwork instead of installing reinforced walls which would have been more costly.
Once the gallery had been renovated, they needed to find exhibitions to display. Again the Art Gallery of Ontario came to their aid by agreeing to send up a series of exhibitions as part of their outreach programme - free of charge. This meant that the gallery was able to show work by leading artists that otherwise would not have been represented in the region. Local artists also stepped up to provide exhibitions.
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The Temiskaming Art GalleryHaileybury, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Art Gallery
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Five years after the initial idea was discussed, the Temiskaming Art Gallery was opened - as part of the Haileybury Library. The first exhibition was the annual juried show of the Northern Ontario Art Association, "Colour Show." To bring people into the new gallery there was an ambitious schedule of a new show every two or three weeks. Exhibitions of work by Lionel Venne, Caroline MacArthur, Sawford-Dye, Huff and Campbell soon followed, interspersed by travelling shows from the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Ontario Crafts Council. The tradition of promoting and displaying local art continues to today and is a core aim of the gallery. Each year one exhibition slot is reserved for the Temiskaming Palette and Brush Club, and many other local artists have had collective and solo exhibitions.11
Interior view of the Temiskaming Art GalleryHaileybury, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Art Gallery
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The art gallery and the flourishing art scene in Temiskaming Shores did not spring out of nowhere. Ever since artists like A. Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael, Yvonne McKague Housser, George Pepper, David Milne, and Isabel McLaughlin were drawn to the powerful landscape and burgeoning raw mining towns such as Cobalt, the area has been an attraction for artists. Gus Wiseman, Dave Carlin, Robert Carmichael and Linda Hankin are but a few of those who trekked north. Equally respected local artists, many whose works are in the permanent collection, have continued this rich tradition.13
Installation view of Temiskaming Art GalleryHaileybury, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Art Gallery
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The Temiskaming Art Gallery both benefits and contributes to this thriving art scene. The Gallery offers a yearly schedule of ten exhibitions a year. Notable local artists in solo and group shows are well-represented, along with hosting an annual exhibition by the Temiskaming Palette and Brush Club and the juried show of the Northern Ontario Arts Association. Important travelling shows at the Gallery have included Art Gallery of Ontario exhibitions by artists such as Lupe Rodriguez, Robert Holden, Christopher Broadhurst, Simon Harwood, Henry Moore (Shelter Sketchbook portfolio), works by Man Ray, Lichenstein, Christo, and Moira Clark. Other shows included Walter Curtin photography, Kayo O'Young ceramics, Shang Dong (China), group show of artists north of Superior, Edward Curtis Photographs, and Ukiyo-E. In addition, the Gallery frequently has exhibitions of local youth and children. They also offer the community a variety of art programming and outreach opportunities. There are programmes for schools, seniors, public lectures and workshops. Each year children can attend the Gallery's annual Junior Artists' Colony in Cobalt, and there are regular series of Saturday morning art classes for young people. |
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