As OMAH continues to evolve as a hub for creativity, culture, and connection in the heart of Orillia, the Museum is committed to listening to the voices of those it serves. The survey is an opportunity for the public to help shape the future direction of exhibitions, programming, community engagement, and more.

“We want to ensure OMAH reflects the needs, values, and aspirations of our community,” said Ninette Gyorody, Executive Director of OMAH. “Your input will directly inform our next strategic plan, helping us grow and serve the community even better in the years ahead.”

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete, and all responses will remain strictly confidential. Whether you’re a frequent visitor or simply curious about the Museum’s role in the community, your feedback is welcome and encouraged.

To participate in the survey, visit: COMMUNITY SURVEY FOR OMAH

The survey will remain open until Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

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The exhibition, presented in recognition of Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month, aims to uplift the voices of Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals within Indigenous cultures, honouring their historical significance, cultural contributions, and resilience. Artists were invited to submit work that explores traditional understandings of gender, challenge colonial narratives, and foster meaningful dialogue on identity, inclusion, and representation.

“Our Council is dedicated to strengthening our relationships with Indigenous communities, amplifying Indigenous voices, and gaining a deeper understanding of Indigenous heritage within our community,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “This exhibition recognizes and honours the cultural heritage of Indigenous members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and beyond. We are excited to welcome community members to experience the artwork of talented Indigenous artists from Orillia and neighbouring areas.”

The exhibition showcases five works of art from four Indigenous artists from Orillia and the surrounding area. Artwork was selected in partnership with the City of Orillia, the Orillia Native Women’s Group and local Indigenous artists.

The exhibition is featured in the culture display case in the lobby of the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.). The exhibition will run from June 2025 to December 2025.

“This exhibition is a powerful reflection of Indigenous voices, stories, and identities that have too often been silenced,” said Chelsea Rutledge, Community Action Program for Children & Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program Coordinator at the Orillia Native Women’s Group. “We are proud to support Indigenous artists in sharing work that brings visibility, healing, and honours the strength of gender-diverse voices within our communities.”

To learn more about the exhibition, visit orillia.ca/IndigenousInitiatives.

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This year’s theme invites artists to explore the concept of travel or daydreaming in connection with the Canadian landscape. Running concurrently with John Gould: Travels of the Body and Mind, this year’s exhibition encourages artists to reflect on how physical or imaginative journeys shape their experience of place, space, and memory.

Created in honour of Group of Seven member Franklin Carmichael — a native of Orillia known for capturing Northern Ontario landscapes in watercolour — Tradition Transformed continues to build on Carmichael’s legacy while celebrating the diversity of artistic interpretation through contemporary media. Artists are invited to submit works in all mediums, including but not limited to drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and media arts.

Submission Details:

• Entry Fee: $40 + HST per submission (up to 3 submissions per artist, 1 image per entry)

• Deadline to Submit: Friday, August 22, 2025

• Jury Results Announced: Final week of September 2025

Prizes:

• Jurors’ Prize – $1,500

• Kevin J. Batchelor Emerging Artist Award – $1,000

This year marks the 10th year of this award, which has been graciously funded by the Batchelor family upon the passing of arts advocate Kevin J. Batchelor in 2015. Batchelor was a local music teacher and artist.

• NEW: Philip Jackman Photography Prize – $500

This year marks the inaugural year of this award, which has been graciously funded by the Jackman family.  Philip was a photographer, graphic designer and editor  for The Globe and Mail.  Philip passed away in 2022.

• Norma Duggan Award – $250

This award is given annually to an artist which exemplifies a uniqueness of artistic vision and creative approach to a landscape executed with excellence. Norma Duggan was a watercolour artist who loved painting the Ontario landscape.

2025 Jurors:

• Carol-Ann Ryan – Visual arts professional and former Public Art Coordinator for the City of Barrie, with past roles at AGO, MOCA Toronto, MacLaren Art Centre, and more.

• Erin Vincent – Acclaimed Toronto-based artist with exhibitions across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., represented by Christie Contemporary and other leading galleries.

Submission guidelines and the online form are available on OMAH’s website: https://www.orilliamuseum.org/exhibitions/call-for-submissions/

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Launching in June 2025—in recognition of Pride Month and National Indigenous History Month—this exhibition aims to uplift the voices of Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals, honouring their historical significance, cultural contributions, and resilience.

Indigenous artists working in all visual art forms are encouraged to apply. Artwork may explore traditional understandings of gender, challenge colonial narratives, and/or celebrate diverse identities through artistic expression.

“Orillia is proud to support initiatives that celebrate diversity and honour Indigenous voices,” said Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac. “This exhibition is an important opportunity to recognize and honour the contributions of Two-Spirit and gender-diverse Indigenous individuals in our community and beyond. I encourage Indigenous artists to contribute to this meaningful exhibition and share their creativity, stories, and perspectives with the Orillia community.”

The exhibition will be on display within the culture display case across from the aquatic centre in the lobby of the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.). The exhibition is scheduled to run from June 2025 to December 2025. Participation is free of charge, but space is limited. Applications can be submitted online at orillia.ca/IndigenousInitiatives with a deadline of May 23, 2025 at noon.

“This is an opportunity to reclaim, uplift, and share stories that have long been erased or overlooked,” said Chelsea Rutledge, Community Action Program for Children & Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program Coordinator at the Orillia Native Women’s Group. “Through this exhibition, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the diversity of gender identities within Indigenous cultures, and foster meaningful dialogue on inclusion and representation”.

“I am thrilled to collaborate with the City of Orillia and the Orillia Native Women’s Group on the Two-Spirit and Gender Diversity through History exhibition,” said Ninette Gyorody, OMAH’s Executive Director. “This important project not only deepens our relationships with Indigenous community members but also reinforces our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through meaningful storytelling and representation.”

Artwork will be juried and selected in collaboration with a representative from the Orillia Museum of Art & History, the Orillia Native Women’s Group, and creative community members who identify as Indigenous. Selections will be based on artistic merit, diversity of mediums, and contribution to the overall narrative of the exhibition.

For more information about the upcoming exhibit, and to apply, visit orillia.ca/IndigenousInitiatives.

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Through a combination of art, science, and outdoor learning, students have explored essential environmental themes such as native plants, biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and stormwater runoff. The program encourages students to see their natural surroundings not only as something to protect, but also as a source of inspiration and creativity.

“This program is about more than just planting ideas,” says Tanya Cunnington, OMAH’s Arts Programming Coordinator. “It’s about cultivating a deeper connection between young people and the environment — and giving them the tools to express that connection through art.”

Students participated in a variety of activities including nature walks, collaborative art-making, and schoolyard greening projects, guided by educators from OMAH and landscape specialists from Parklane Landscapes. Projects were tailored to each school’s needs and designed to connect Ontario curriculum with real-world environmental issues.

“By combining creative thinking with ecological learning, we’re helping students understand that their voices and choices matter,” says Joanne Mohan, Sustainable Landscape Designer with Parklane Landscapes. “They’re learning how even small changes — like planting native species — can make a big impact on the health of local ecosystems.”

This cross-sector partnership has brought the museum outside its walls and into the schoolyard, reinforcing the power of community-based learning and environmental stewardship.

Students from Lion’s Oval will share their work with family and friends at a small reception to be held at the museum on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 5-6pm.

OMAH looks forward to continuing this work and expanding its reach, offering more students the chance to engage with the natural world through creative expression.

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Featuring a diverse range of paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works,Perspectives Through Their Eyes captures how young artists interpret the world around them — from personal identity and social issues to the beauty of everyday life. The exhibition provides a powerful platform for youth expression and creative exploration.

“This exhibition gave us a chance to speak through our artwork,” says Riley, a Grade 12 student from Orillia Secondary School and OMAH’s co-op student this semester. “It’s exciting to see our pieces in a professional gallery and know that our ideas matter.”

The exhibition reflects not only technical skill but also deep thought and intention behind each piece. For many students, this is their first time exhibiting work in a public gallery.

“It’s incredibly valuable for students to experience the process of preparing and presenting their work in a real museum setting,” says Maggie Shaw, Visual Arts Teacher at Twin Lakes Secondary School. “It builds confidence and helps them understand the role of art in shaping how we see and share our world.”

OMAH invites the public to visit the show and support the next generation of artists and creative thinkers. Admission is free for youth and students.

Exhibition Dates:
April 19 – May 17, 2025
Location: Orillia Museum of Art & History, 30 Peter Street South, Orillia
Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm

For more information, visit www.orilliamuseum.org or call 705-326-2159.

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This visual presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM on Zoom. Pre-registration is required.

Bertin’s talk will delve into her Métis and Algonquin heritage, sharing how storytelling, traditional crafts, and cultural teachings have shaped her artistic journey and understanding of identity. Through her artwork, she navigates history as both an anchor to the past and a guide to the future.

About Nathalie Bertin

Nathalie Bertin is a multidisciplinary visual artist of French, Métis, and Algonquin ancestry, with roots in Trois-Rivières (QC), Michilimackinac (USA), and Nipissing (ON). Originally from Toronto, she now lives near the shores of Lake Nosbonsing, between North Bay and Mattawa.

Bertin’s work spans painting, illustration, photography, sculptural installation, and traditional crafts. She has designed collector coins for the Royal Canadian Mint, illustrated children’s books, and co-created the internationally recognized project “Breathe: A Collection of Traditional Masks Demonstrating Resilience in the Face of the 21st Century Pandemic.” Her work is held in the collections of the Government of Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum, and private collectors across North America and Europe.

In 2024, she received Craft Ontario’s Lily Yung Memorial Award for excellence in craft. Her work and artistic practice have been featured by CBC/Radio-Canada and TFO.

Event Details

???? Date: March 19, 2025 at 7:00pm
???? Location: Zoom
???? Tickets: To receive a link to the talk visit  https://www.orilliamuseum.org/project/history-speaker-series-loup-garou-moccasins/ or call Rachel at 705 326 2159.

Registration is free, donations to OMAH are appreciated.

Join OMAH for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on culture, storytelling, and the search for identity through art.

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The Sir Sam’s Society membership, valued at $400 annually, offers members unique benefits, including a $325 charitable tax receipt and invitations to special events throughout the year. Members also have the opportunity to either borrow an original artwork for one year or allocate their donation to the Sir Sam’s Society Acquisition Fund, which supports the expansion of OMAH’s permanent collection.

As part of its ongoing commitment to collecting works connected to Orillia and its surrounding area, OMAH places a special emphasis on acquiring pieces by artists with deep ties to the community or those who have made significant contributions to the region or Canada as a whole.

At this year’s art exchange event, Sir Sam’s Society members were treated to the unveiling of OMAH’s latest acquisitions: Tattoo Style Snake and Grogu (Baby Yoda)by Dillon Bickell, who was in attendance.

Dillon Bickell: Revitalizing Quillwork in a Contemporary Context

Dillon Bickell is the quillwork artist behind Quillin’ By Dillon. A proud member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, he is primarily a self-taught Ojibwe quill worker and birch harvester.

Dillon first experimented with quillwork at a community crafting circle in October 2021. The familiarity, ease, and blood memory connection were undeniable, and his interest was immediately piqued. Knowing his late grandmother, Lila Ingersoll, had been a talented quill worker further inspired Dillon to pursue this art form.

Since then, he has honed his skills, developing his own distinct quillwork style. He values both traditional Indigenous crafting techniques and modern designs, seeking to incorporate both into his work. Each piece of Dillon’s quillwork is handmade using natural materials such as birchbark, porcupine quills, and animal hides and skins, many of which he harvests locally within the traditional territories of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

“The ‘Tattoo Style Snake’ and the ‘Grogu (Baby Yoda)’ quilled pieces are perfect examples of how such a traditional art form can be modern, playful, and relevant. Using bold colours and recognizable designs, I chose to feature familiar pop culture imagery for these fun pieces. I hope they evoke a sense of wonder, as well as renew interest in quillwork and Indigenous artwork.” – Dillon Bickell

OMAH’s Arts Programming Coordinator, Tanya Cunnington, shared her thoughts on the significance of Bickell’s work:

“What attracted me to Dillon’s work is that he is taking a very traditional art form and creating contemporary art with it. By incorporating elements of popular culture—such as Grogu from the Star Wars franchise—he bridges the past and present, honoring tradition while making it relatable today.”

Having his work acquired by OMAH is a deeply meaningful milestone for Dillon:

“As an Indigenous artist, having pieces of my quillwork added to the permanent collection at the Orillia Museum of Art & History is incredibly meaningful. I recognize how important and impactful it is to have Indigenous representation in these spaces—where, historically, Indigenous voices were never featured or celebrated. The path to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation starts with education, and it’s small steps like this that help foster deeper connection and understanding between our Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.”

To see more of Dillon’s work, follow @quillinbydillon on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

OMAH’s Commitment to Representation and Inclusivity

Through acquisitions like those of Dillon Bickell, OMAH continues its mission to celebrate local artists, honour traditional and contemporary practices, and inspire future generations.

The Sir Sam’s Society Acquisition Fund supports OMAH’s concerted effort to focus on collection-building and showcasing the collection through our exhibitions, social media, and education programs.  In 2022, OMAH purchased a sketch by Elizabeth Wyn Wood in 2023, a sketch by Franklin Carmichael and in 2024, a sculpture by Lindsay Montgomery.

For more information about the Sir Sam’s Society or upcoming events, please visit www.orilliamuseum.org.

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For educators who book Museum in a Box, the program arrives at their school with a classroom’s worth of artefacts, and a roster of curriculum-connected art, language, and STEM lessons. The culminating project leads students to construct their own museum in their classroom using the artefacts from the kit. This will help foster hands-on learning, develop critical thinking, and promote appreciation for history and culture.

OMAH Executive Director, Ninette Gyorody said, “Through our partnerships with community businesses dedicated to supporting school-age children, we are able to design, develop, and deliver innovative programs that make a meaningful impact. These collaborations allow us to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that connect directly to curriculum objectives, foster critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity, and inspire a deeper appreciation for history, art, and culture among students. Together, we’re shaping opportunities that enrich education and strengthen the connection between schools, communities, and cultural institutions.”

Nimtaz Kanji, Executive Director of TELUS Future Friendly Foundation said, “We are thrilled to support the Orillia Museum of Art & History with a Community Board grant, empowering them to expand their impactful school programming. By investing in the next generation through art and history education, we celebrate the museum’s vital role in inspiring creativity, fostering curiosity, and enriching our community’s cultural landscape.”

For more information about OMAH’s Museum in a Box program,  please visit  https://www.orilliamuseum.org/plan-your-visit/schools and for more information on the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation visit friendlyfuture.com

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The items acquired will play a central role in a permanent exhibition dedicated to Gordon Lightfoot. This exhibition, slated to open in June 2025, will honour his enduring legacy as a cultural trailblazer and cherished hometown hero.

Preserving a Canadian Icon’s Legacy

Gordon Lightfoot’s influence has resonated across decades, inspiring audiences worldwide with hits such as If You Could Read My Mind and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. As a proud Orillia native, his impact on the community is immeasurable. The artifacts acquired by OMAH bring his story to life, offering visitors an intimate connection to the man behind the music.

“We are deeply grateful for the donation that allowed us to secure these incredible items,” said Ninette Gyorody, OMAH’s Executive Director. “These artifacts ensure Gordon Lightfoot’s legacy remains accessible to fans, researchers, and future generations. This is a milestone moment for our museum and our city.”

Community Support Needed for Future Growth

OMAH is now inviting community members, organizations, and businesses to help support this exciting initiative. The museum is actively seeking funds to:

1. Acquire additional Gordon Lightfoot artifacts to further enhance the exhibition.
2. Ensure the ongoing development and maintenance of the permanent exhibition, which will serve as a lasting tribute to Lightfoot’s life and career.

The financial support of the community is critical to ensuring this exhibition becomes a beacon for visitors from across Canada and beyond, drawing fans and cultural enthusiasts to Orillia for years to come.

“Gordon Lightfoot’s legacy is not only a local treasure but also a national one,” added Trish Crowe-Grande, Chair of OMAH’s Board of Directors. “By supporting this project, you help preserve a vital piece of Canadian heritage while fostering pride in our community’s remarkable history.”

How You Can Help

Donations of any size are welcomed and will directly contribute to this important initiative. Supporters can make a difference by contributing:

• Monetary donations to fund future acquisitions and exhibition upkeep.
• Corporate sponsorships to showcase their support for the arts and heritage.
• In-kind donations or expertise to assist with exhibition development.

Contributions can be made through OMAH’s website by clicking on this link: Gordon Lightfoot Fund or by contacting the museum directly through Vanessa Santala, OMAH’s Development Officer by email or by phone at 705-326-2159 x105.

Together, we can and will honour Gordon Lightfoot’s legacy and ensure his story remains a vital part of our cultural heritage.

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