Paddle & Paint in the Spirit of Tom Thomson

Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville is offering guests a unique opportunity to celebrate Tom Thomson’s Muskoka legacy during the centenary of his mysterious death in Algonquin Park. Thomson’s legacy is keenly felt in this vibrant cottage country town, which Thomson frequented during his trips to Algonquin.  His presence is constant here in the form of a life-size bronze sculpture sitting proudly in front of the town hall.

Thomson’s spirit is also very much alive at Muskoka’s venerable Deerhurst Resort where the Eclipse Art Gallery is featuring a special show, “The Jack Pine: A Tribute to Tom Thomson,” which highlights the strong influence and admiration of Thomson and his friends of the Group of Seven in the works of northern Canada’s landscape artists. The resort and gallery also hosted a commemorative Thomson art competition earlier this year and artist John Kinsella’s winning entry is prominently displayed at the resort’s main reception.

The Spirit of Tom Thomson Weekend

Now, Deerhurst Resort has teamed up with the Eclipse Art Gallery to offer a special event weekend, “The Spirit of Tom Thomson” during September 8 – 10, 2017. Local artist, Janine Marson, who spent a year retracing Thomson’s steps in Algonquin Park, will help guide a full weekend of Thomson-inspired activities.

The weekend starts Friday evening where guests can browse the Eclipse Art Gallery’s Thomson-inspired show, then enjoy a welcome reception.  On Saturday, guests will embark on a guided 3-hour paddling trip on Thomson’s beloved Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park to visit some of his favourite painting spots and his memorial cairn. After returning from the park, Marson will lead a ‘sip and paint session’ where guests will enjoy a glass of wine while creating their own replica Tom Thomson painting.

On the Sunday morning, local artist Gerry Lataigne will provide a guided tour of some of the 90 plus Group of Seven outdoor murals that adorn Muskoka landmarks – including Deerhurst itself. Lataigne, the creator and feature artist of the outdoor mural gallery, invited the G8 world leaders to add their brushstrokes to the mural of Thomson’s most famous painting, The West Wind, during the G8 Summit held at Deerhurst in 2010, which now hangs in the Canada Summit Centre in Huntsville.

“The Spirit of Tom Thomson” weekend package at Deerhurst Resort is priced from $279 per person, based on double occupancy and includes two nights’ accommodation, two breakfasts, Friday night reception, Saturday Algonquin canoe trip, a sip and paint session and guided outdoor mural tour. Lunch and dinner are additional as is a nightly resort fee that provides access to onsite canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, hiking trails, tennis and more.  For more information or to book, visit deerhurstresort.com or call 1-800-461-4393.

Chuck Hughes’ Road Trip to Muskoka

Another highlight of the Fall season at Deerhurst Resort is the “Chuck Hughes’ Road Trip to Muskoka” on October 20 – 22, 2017. Hughes is co-owner and executive chef of Montreal hot-spots, Garde Manger and Le Bremner​, ​and star of Food Network Canada show​s Chuck & Danny’s Road Trip,​ Chuck’s Day Off, and Chuck’s Week Off​. During this city-meets-Muskoka​ experience​, guests will enjoy ​​live ​music​​, outdoor adventures (yes, there’s such a thing as a beer hike) and amazing eats highlighted by Saturday dinner hosted by Hughes himself. Read more.

Algonquin Colours Package

Just minutes from Deerhurst, Algonquin Park offers some of the most remarkable Fall colours in the country, in a truly iconic Canadian wilderness setting. This package includes complimentary park access to enjoy a variety of hiking trails, lookouts, the visitors’ centre and art gallery, complete with snacks to-go for each adult. Read more