Drawnonward’s show, as the marquee event of the Creemore Festival of the Arts, September 22 and 23 at Station on the Green, is a homecoming of sorts for a group of local artists who have made a national name for themselves capturing the Canadian landscape.
With over 150,000 km under their belt this touring collective, formed in the 90s by Gordon Kemp, Christopher Roberts, Paul Mantrop, Steve McDonald, Robert Saley and David Marshak, has been everywhere from Florence to the arctic honing their skills as painters. Travelling together by bus, canoe, icebreaker, milk truck, train and foot the artists, five of whom currently live within the Georgian Triangle, strapped on their easels and wandered off to generate not only their work but a well-documented journey of adventure, discovery and friendship.
The group has elicited comparisons to the Group of Seven, being there are seven members and their enormous love of creating in the great outdoors –sometimes in the same, well-known locales captured by the likes of Tom Thompson and A.Y. Jackson. These artists, all of whom are full-time professionals, have shown their work for almost two decades in galleries including Wagner-Rosenbaum, Arta, and Engine in Toronto as well as Gallerie D’Avingnon in Montreal and many more. They are prominently featured in both private and corporate collections.
The upcoming show marks Drawnonward’s first-ever collective show in Creemore and is a little different from anything the group has presented before. For this exhibit all of the artists – with the exception of Gord Kemp, who has a sculpture planned – are using an 8’ x 8’ format for their work. This is the single largest piece most of the artists have ever done. This willingness to experiment with a new configuration is a nod to the community support they enjoy.
“For this show we thought we wanted to offer something a little grander than just a showing of all of our collective works,” says Steve McDonald of Dunedin. “This show was a bit of a stretch for us. We see this as a special display among friends and an opportunity to get some feedback from so many people in the area that we respect.”
Event organizers were quick to ask for Drawnonward’s participation in the inaugural Creemore Festival of the Arts. “They seemed like a natural fit,” says Simon Heath, a member of the coordinating committee. “Beyond the fact that they are a brilliant local arts collective with a national following and a nearly two decade long history, they perfectly represent the spirit of the festival Purple Hills is looking to build. Whether travelling to the arctic, India, or turning their attention to the hills and valleys that surround us, Drawnonward offers us multiple lenses to see ourselves, our community and the world. It’s an absolute treat to be able to celebrate their work at this year’s festival.”
The show will be open for viewing from 10:30 am to 4 pm on both the Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Along with the art there will be an opportunity to view a bit of history on the group with posters, photos, press, pamphlets and more. At the Purple Hills Arts and Heritage ticketed reception for members and their guests on Saturday, September 22 from 5 to 7 pm attendees will have a chance to hear members of the group speak and many of those same members will be available for a more casual conversation at the free community party following at 8 pm. This party will include live music performed by Grand Canyon, a band which performs at many Drawnonward events.
For more information on Drawnonward or the festival check out www.phahs.ca