A J Casson At Bon Echo Park

Katie Ohlke | Aug 08, 2013

It is not every day that you can hear first-hand stories about iconic Canadian artists, especially members of the Group of Seven. On Saturday, August 3, two very special guest lecturers, Margaret Hall, daughter of A.J. Casson, the youngest member of the famous painting movement “The Group of Seven” and Chris Jackson, an art curator, formerly of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, spoke at Bon Echo Provincial Park.

Mrs. Hall spoke about spending time with her father on Mazinaw Lake, and related several anecdotes about holding the row boat steady as he sketched the famous rock.

Mr. Jackson gave an in depth talk about Casson’s life, work and passion for art. He spoke about Casson’s work with Commercial and Industrial Art and how he met several members of the Group of Seven while working at Rous & Mann. Being younger by several years, he was eager to learn from the older, more established artists, in particular, Franklin Carmichael. From this friendship he began painting in oils and honing his craft. He later became the eighth and youngest member of the famous (and sometimes infamous) Group of Seven. He also spoke about his artistic life after the group disbanded in 1933.

“It is wonderful to be back here,” said Mrs. Hall with a warm smile, “I have such vivid memories of climbing to the top of the cliff watching him sketch in water colour.”

The lecture was presented by the Friends of Bon Echo Park.