Canada Day Weekend @ the JNAAG!

This Canada Day long weekend is shaping up to be a busy one here at the gallery! We are open every day this weekend with fabulous and creative activities and events for all ages. 

Sunday, June 30th is the exhibition opening of 'Walter Tolles in Context', located in the Dr. J Telford Biehn Gallery on the second floor. 

Local artist Walter Tolles (1876 - 1946) moved to Lambton County, from England in 1913. While working for Imperial Oil in Sarnia, Tolles painted in his spare time and was also involved in the local theatre community as a set designer for the local drama league.

Tolles's painting style oscillates between a British romantic style,  influenced by the English painter Sir Alfred East, and a bolder Canadian style influenced by the work of the Group of Seven and their contemporaries.

Several of Tolles's paintings from the gallery's permanent collection are on display, augmented by work from private collections in the community. In order to highlight the artistic climate influencing Tolles, works are juxtaposed with other paintings from the collection including a selection by members of the Group of Seven, J.S. Hallam, Lowrie Warrener, William Atkinson and William St. Thomas Smith.  

Bring the whole family to the opening of this inspiring exhibition, and stick around for our special Family Sunday Art Drop-in from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. This Sunday we are taking a cue from our current exhibition with our activity,  Impressions from the Juried Art Show. 
Using selected works from the exhibition as inspiration, choose your favourite piece and our instructors will guide you through the technical aspects to create your own winning work. Admission is free and all ages are welcome!

On Canada Day, you can show your pride by joining us for an afternoon of fun, Canadian themed art activities for all ages! Stop by between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. 

Create your very own Canada Day kites to take to the skies! Using a unique and creative sandwiching effect, you can design your own piece of art to fly. Show your patriotic colours with our Spectacular Sand Jars activity! Coloured sand will be poured into an empty glass jar in layers of different thicknesses and layers to create a beautiful keepsake. 

When you are finished with our other fun projects, take part in our digital Community Portrait! Our talented instructors will take your picture to be fashioned into a patriotic display of the day's activities. 

Our Canada Day long weekend hours are:
Saturday, June 29: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, June 30: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday, July 1 (Canada Day): 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm