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McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Category: Arts & Entertainment Art Galleries Shopping Art Galleries Art Galleries [Edit]
10365 Islington AveKleinburg, ON L0J 1C0
(888) 213-1121
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for McMichael Canadian Art Collection
7 reviews in English
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Review from Johnny H.
Toronto, ON
4/11/2012 6 photos
If you are planning a weekend getaway, you should take McMichael into consideration. It isn't too far from Toronto, but it isn't too close either. So it does give you the sense of being away from busy city life without spending too much time behind the wheel and burning too much gas. Scenic drive route is lacking, but there are enough trees and forests on the sides of streets near the gallery (maybe 10 minutes away from the destination).
When you arrive at the gallery, you drive through a pathway surrounded by trees. The exterior of the gallery is modern and gorgeous. Built with wood and stones with sharp edges, it blends really well with the forest around it. It does give you the impression that it was built by Indians. Overall, all these elements bring spiritual mood to this place. And the sense of being really far away from civilizations.
The gallery has ample amount of paintings and pictures. All beautiful to look at. All offering different perspectives into the world we see. Different varieties of emotions expressed through strokes of brush. The lighting isn't too bright or dim. So the atmosphere was spot-on. Some wacky modern artworks are present as well. It was very fun browsing through the gallery. I felt like my mind absorbed new ideas after going through the whole exhibition.
The trails are also a big part of this gallery. Just walking along the trails was worth the visit. It has enough stone sculptures, scenic views and refreshing landscapes along the way. True to the gallery's theme of being one with the nature, trails presented the beauty of architecture and natural surroundings built by unknown forces. There is a place for picnic as well. I wonder if I can bring bikes to this place though... It would make an awesome bike trail.
Price of admission is $15, and parking is $5 (WTF..?). -
Review from Natalie T.
East York, ON
11/29/2011
Located in Kleinberg, about an hour outside of Toronto (think just past Canada's wonderland) is the majestic Canadian art palace of the McMichael art gallery. That assessment isn't totally off base. This gallery used to be the home of owners Robert and Signe McMichael and now houses one of the most prominent collections of Canadian art.
VIBE
Think of the Brady Bunch's house. It's kind of like that. There's a lot of stonework, and old mahogany woods reminiscent of a cottage country ski villa. That said, if you want to get your Group of Seven and Inuit art -on, this is the place to do it. Over 100,000 people visit the gallery each year and I'm ashamed to say this was my first time there. But it's worth it and a viable day trip for anyone, though I would recommend this as a great trip for the family. If you're into hiking there are trails and bigger hiking paths and picnic spots nearby at the Kortright Centre. Oh, and did I mention the grounds are IMMACULATE? The stone work and outdoor sculpture garden are beautiful. If you're a Group of Seven fan, the McMichael is the site of all members (excluding Tom Thomson). That said, Tom Thomson's original house is onsite and intact.
SEE
If you want to learn more about Canadian art and heritage, this is the place. There's over 6,000 pieces collected on the Group of Seven alone (obviously not all at once). There is also a theatre which used to be the site of the McMichael's old swimming pool and a very funky, technologically up to date totem pole. I'm not kidding: this totem pole is outfitted with an ipod, lap top and cell phone. Are we addicted to our technology much? Um, yes.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Mcget yourself to a Canadian treasure. Better than a happy meal. (Note to self: wow, I really need to work on my copywriting skills). -
Review from Stephanie C.
Toronto, ON
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am a huge Group of Seven fan so when I finally got to visit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection last weekend, I felt like I was going to Mecca.
The gallery is big and easy to manoeuvre through, and all accessible. The main collection, the Group of Seven, occupy several rooms, along with works by Emily Carr and other Canadian painters.
Apart from the Group of Seven, McMichael has a great collection of Native and Inuit art and sculptures. Current exhibitions are housed on the second and third floors. At the moment, there is a great photography exhibit about Alberta's frontier past in the 19th century and Inuit life in Alaska in the early 20th century.
Nature plays a vital role in the gallery. It has not only inspired the artwork seen at McMichael, but the gallery itself is right smack in the middle of it. In each of the gallery rooms, there are windows that look out to gorgeous vistas of the Bruce Trail. There's also a sculpture garden which I hear is beautiful but sadly, the weather wasn't cooperating and we were rained out.
We did see Tom Thomson's shack which was neat to see and offered a glimpse into what his life might have been like, however I don't know if a basketball can be deemed authentic as it was in plain view in one of the rooms that serve as a storage room. Hint to the McMichael: Maybe you might want to cover the windows of the storage room?
Their restaurant, Seven, is nice and modern-looking, and has a nice patio that overlooks the grounds. Again, we couldn't enjoy this because of the rain. Seven does have the potential of being a nice place to eat but it felt like we were in a cafeteria.
The food is hit or miss: the Spicy Steak Burger with aged cheddar was delicious but the quiche was BLAND. The prices are reasonable and they do offer a prix fixe menu that combines an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $20.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is definitely worth a visit. It's only 45 minutes away from downtown Toronto and makes for a great day trip to walk around the property. Yes, they do charge a $5 fee to park there, but that's only if you're walking the grounds. Regular admission into the gallery is $15 and open all year round. -
Review from Carmen M.
2/15/2010
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is located in Kleinburg, Ontario, about 35 km north of Toronto. Even though it's a hefty drive, and even though they charge you $5 to park in their ginormous (and empty) parking lot (grumble), it's totally worth the trip.
Focusing solely on Canadian art and specifically the Group of Seven, the collection is pretty vast. I thought I'd fly through, but if you really want to see everything, plan to spend at least an hour and a half. Also, it's official: my favourite Group of Seven artist is Lawren S. Harris. Swoon!
Their collection of First Nations art is really good, and I very much enjoyed the totem poles and the wood masks they had on display.
My only complaint is that they didn't have much in the way of descriptions about the art or the artists. I did a lot of looking, but not a lot of reading. An audio tour would be a nice addition.
The McMichael is definitely one of my favourite things I've done in Toronto. A must-see.
Note: they close at 4pm. -
Review from Melissa G.
North York, ON
3/2/2009 1 photo
The McMichael Gallery has been one of my favourite cultural destinations in Ontario since my first trip to the gallery when I was in grade 3.
To set the mood for your visit to this gallery, you take a very relaxing drive to Kleinburg (just 40 minutes outside of Toronto) with a beautiful background of nature and forestry.
Once you arrive and walk through to the art displays, you are surrounded by beautiful artwork which expresses the great Canadian talents, such as the Group of Seven and Tom Thompson. Even the woods surrounding the gallery offers a beautiful view through the building's windows, which makes you feel you are looking both at artwork on the walls and outside in nature.
Apart from the actual artwork, the facilities has a wonderful restaurant and a great space for functions such as weddings or corporate parties.
As well, the McMichael Gallery keeps experiencing cultural affordable by offering inexpensive day passes and full family passes. -
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2008
I really like Canadian art. I think that as Canadians we should have much more pride in our homegrown talent and appreciate how good it is, which is why every passport carrying Canadian should go to the McMichael Art Gallery in Kleinburgh. It has the largest collection of the works of the Group of Seven and it's in a beautiful location. This is the kind of place you go to when you've been watching the Hills too much and you feel that your brain may start leaking out of your ears. It's a place to get some of the needed culture and when your done looking at the paintings, the Gallery has a beautiful walking path that (weather permitting) is a very enjoyable walk through the forest. I recommend this gallery to everyone, it's a place where you can go to get out of the city and get some fresh air, as well as some culture.
Like the review? Check out the link to my blog on my profile. -
Review from Plank D.
Scarborough, ON
12/9/2009 4 photos
The McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg is dubbed "the spiritual home of the Group of Seven" and that really gives you an idea of what this place is all about. The gallery is as impressive as the plot on which it lies. It is a real experience going to this place. You have to make your way down a long road covered by trees to the parking area. Once you are there, you have to leave your car and walk through the grounds to the gallery which is nestled next to a cliff that leads down to the Humber River. There are different buildings around the area which you can explore and, as you walk, there are different installations that line the surrounding area. The burial ground of some of the Group of Seven is also on this site, such as the grave of A.Y. Jackson. The feel of the ground is almost that of a sanctuary, as it should be. Many of the Group lived out there old age at the McMichael.
Now for the gallery. The lobby is a big open wooden and stone space with a modern take on a totem pole rising over everything. Most of the museum has a lush wood interior and it creates a very warm environment. The gallery is very impressive. When you enter the gallery you are immediately presented with powerful works by the Group. The journey through the career of these Canadian painters' work is inspiring. Little details are offered such as the pallet that Thom Thompson used to original printings of rare stencil works. There is also a theater that you can pop into and see old National Film Board movies on the Group with interviews and footage of them at work. As you make your way up a wooden rap that looks out on the woods, you move to the next level of the gallery. This level houses an enormous collection of Native and Inuit Art. There is a mix of old and contemporary Native Art which, it has been argued, directly influenced the group. Regardless, you are faced with the reality that the Group's work was inspired by the same elements that inspired the Native Art on the second level. The third level houses a collection of contemporary Canadian Art. More than a gallery that is just the spiritual home of the Group of Seven, it is almost a sanctuary of all Canadian art, showing what came before and after the artists who brought art to life in this country.
