Tom Thomson Art Gallery Information

It has been said that if Tom Thomson had not existed, Canada would have had to invent him! The Tom Thomson Art Gallery is a national, cultural attraction that is dedicated to the innovation and spirit of iconic artist Tom Thomson, strongly identified with the Group of Seven whose images are virtually synonymous with the very idea of ‘Canada.’ Our national identity is forged and fortified by our awareness and understanding of historical figures like Thomson, whose artwork has been described as being the “visual equivalent of our national anthem.” - The TOM strives to meet the highest standards of excellence in all it undertakes. - The TOM is welcoming, accessible and inclusive. - The TOM believes in the power of art as a vital and integral part of everyday life. The TOM celebrates excellence in the visual arts locally, nationally and internationally, through exhibitions of historical and contemporary art, education programs and the enrichment and interpretation of its significant permanent collection of over 2,300 works of art. In addition to a rich base of works by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, the collection offers significant contemporary art by regional and national artists. The focus is on works relating to the landscape, and the many contemporary interpretations of that tradition. The TOM supports further Thomson’s legacy through programs such as Canadian Spirit involving galleries, organizations and businesses across the country. Established in 1967, the Gallery is named for the iconic Canadian landscape artist Tom Thomson (1877-1917) and houses one of Canada’s largest collections of his work. Thomson, who grew up and is buried in the Owen Sound area, was a maverick, a break-away artist who fused a passion for the wilderness with a new style of skillful and experimental painting. The TOM receives operational funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Owen Sound of which the Gallery is a division.