ABOYNE – Step back in time and see Wellington County through the eyes of Group of Seven painter A.J. Casson.
Opening Oct. 6, A Century Later is an exhibition at the Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) featuring the Octarine Women Artists’ Collective (OWAC) and the youngest member of the Group of Seven.
Alfred Joseph Casson (1898-1992) frequented Wellington County in the 1920s, creating a series of sketches and watercolours that marked a pivotal period in his artistic career.
OWAC has revisited the locations and reinterpreted them with unique styles and media, including watercolour, oil, pastel, fibre and woven tapestry.
“Casson created some of his most iconic works right here in our own backyard,” said WCMA curator Hailey Johnston.
“It’s thrilling to see how the Octarine artists have brought fresh perspectives to the scenes that Casson fell in love with nearly a century ago.”
“Painting for this show has been a humbling experience,” said OWAC member Judy French. “To paint where A.J. Casson painted, to apply his methods, colours, and shape-making to one of my own paintings has taken a great deal of research and effort and has been a rewarding journey.”
Founded in 2013, OWAC is a group of eight women who work in various media and exhibit together annually.
Featured in this year’s show are Gail Brown, Nancy Farrell, Judy French, Carol Hughes, Kim Johnston, Dianne Kennedy-Cruttenden, Gail Root, M. Anne Smith, and Leslie Miles.
An opening reception will be held on Oct. 5 from 7 to 9pm.
Admission is by donation; all are welcome.
“We’re really encouraging families to visit the exhibit where they’ll see some familiar landscapes and learn about the Group of Seven,” Johnston added.
This is a rare opportunity to see Casson’s work on display in the heart of the county that inspired him so long ago.”
The Wellington County Museum and Archives is located on Wellington Road 18 between Fergus and Elora.
