Tradition Transformed 2026

Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH)

Laura Lynn Johnston, Prairie Fire, 2026, Oil on canvas.

Tradition Transformed

September 26, 2026 – January 16, 2027
Opening Reception: September 26, 1–3pm | Remarks & Awards: 1:30pm

The Orillia Museum of Art & History is pleased to announce the artists selected for Tradition Transformed, its 25th annual juried Canadian landscape exhibition.

Established in recognition of Franklin Carmichael, renowned landscape artist and member of the Group of Seven who was born in Orillia, the exhibition invites contemporary artists to explore and reinterpret the Canadian landscape through their own perspectives, experiences and artistic practices.

Will McGarvey, Intersection, 2026, Oil on canvas.

This year’s jurors were Tanya Cunnington, an artist, curator and arts professional from Kirkland Lake and a community member of Rama First Nation, and Bewabon Shilling, an Ojibway painter from Rama First Nation whose work is inspired by the landscapes and communities around Lake Couchiching and the Black River. Both studied at OCAD and have exhibited their work widely.

The jurors reviewed 213 submissions, selecting 32 works by 31 artists.

Selected Artists:

Awards include the Jurors’ Prize, Kevin J. Batchelor Emerging Artist Award, Norma Duggan Award and Philip Jackman Photography Prize.

Couchiching Beach Park pavilion, c1930, donated by Robert and Betty Gordon, 1997.13.1b

Also at OMAH this Fall:

Homegrown: The Story of Orillia
September 26, 2026 – September 25, 2027

Homegrown explores the people, places, and events that have shaped Orillia over thousands of years. From Mnjikaning to the rise of industry, tourism, and the city we know today, discover the stories that make Orillia home.

For information/Media Contact:
Ninette Gyorody, Executive Director
705 326–2159 x101 | executivedirector@orilliamuseum.org

Orillia Museum of Art & History
30 Peter Street South
Orillia, ON L3V 5A9
orilliamuseum.org

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OMAH has been the hub of art, culture, and heritage in the heart of Orillia’s Arts District for over twenty-five years. Located in downtown Orillia, the clocktower of the Sir Samuel Steele Memorial Building is a beacon for the museum. OMAH’s mission is to provide inclusive space to engage community, inspire creativity and celebrate culture, by exploring art and history.

Museum Hours
Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm. Suggested Admission is $5

Accessibility
The museum is fully accessible.

Acknowledgements
The Orillia Museum of Art & History respectfully acknowledges our presence on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg which includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. We respect and observe the long and enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples—First Nations, Métis and Inuit—on this land. Their teachings and stewardship, culture and way of life have shaped our City’s unique identity.

The Orillia Museum of Art & History gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the City of Orillia, and our community supporters and contributors.