Guests of the Cottonwood Mansion Museum can go back in time to the Victoria era, learning all about how people lived during those times.DUDEK PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGES COURTESY OF ONTARIO’S SOUTHWEST
As the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and orange, Ontario transforms into a canvas of natural beauty, but it also beckons travellers to explore its rich culture, history and traditions through art. If you’re planning a fall road trip with family or friends, consider adding these unique art experiences to your itinerary for a deeper connection with the province’s creative spirit.
Live like a Victorian
Selkirk in Haldimand County is home to the unique Victorian House Guest Experience at Cottonwood Mansion Museum. This 6,000-square-foot country mansion was built by William Holmes Jr. more than 150 years ago and epitomizes Victorian hospitality. Guests enjoy traditional Victorian pastimes, such as baking in the original kitchen, savouring a scrumptious afternoon tea and experiencing entertainment from the era.
Friendly and fun workshops teach arts and crafts reminiscent of the period, using sustainable practices and repurposed materials characteristic of the Victorian era.
Shown is a visual device called a stereoscope. The Victorians were starting to experiment with how the eye worked and the stereoscope has two eye holes or view fields to look through. The view is divided by a wooden barrier and in front of the viewing field is a card with two identical images. A person’s eyes are forced to focus on each photo individually because of the barrier, but the images are layered by the brain and appear to the viewer to be a three-dimensional image.DUDEK PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGES COURTESY OF ONTARIO’S SOUTHWEST
“Our guests learn how Victorian Canadians made seed wreaths or hops bread while gaining a better understanding of how they would have relaxed and expressed themselves creatively,” says Adam Foreman, interim museum manager at Cottonwood Mansion Museum.
“The Ontario Southwest Signature designation for Cottonwood Mansion Museum’s Victorian House Guest Experience is truly a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and staff in creating memorable experiences for visitors,” says Andrew Spearin, interim board chair of the Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation, the non-profit organization that stewards this important heritage site.
Take a mural route
“Murals and street art have become landmarks in many of the small towns and villages in Ontario’s Southwest, evoking the region’s unique heritage, culture and traditions,” says Jane Anderson, research and marketing technician for Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism Division.
The popular Dunnville Farmers’ Market in Haldimand County is home to Inheritance – an installation by artist Lacie Williamson, owner of LVW Creative Barracks. Inheritance is a powerful expression of dynamic voices and stories showcased through traditional street art and is part of the Great Art for Great Lakes Project, which is designed to strengthen people’s relationships with the Great Lakes through participatory art.
The Public Art Tour Haldimand (PATH) has a trail of paddles painted by local artists throughout Haldimand County. This one by Krysta Jamieson is called Our Miinikaanan, Our Abinoojiinhyag (Our Seeds, Our Children).DUDEK PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGE COURTESY OF TOURISM HALDIMAND
At the Public Art Tour Haldimand (PATH), follow the trail of painted paddles throughout the county. Each paddle is a work of art and the culmination of a community effort. The wood was cut with the help of local high school woodworking programs, sanded by seniors in care, and painted by local artists.
For a road trip with a twist, follow Mural Routes to Elgin County, where you’ll find a mix of captivating street art and murals. A standout is the St. Thomas Boxcar Murals, four distinct artworks painted on rail boxcars located on the grounds of the Elgin County Railway Museum. Each mural offers a unique perspective, reflecting the diverse experiences of artists who are living in and loving the small city of St. Thomas.
Whimsical Creatures is an exhibit at the Floral Showhouse in Niagara Falls. These larger-than-life sculptures, such as this dragon and bee, are meticulously crafted from thousands of plants in a horticultural art style known as mosaïculture.IMAGE COURTESY OF NIAGARA PARKS
Embark on a mystery tour in Niagara Parks
Visitors to Niagara Parks are discovering new and mysterious ways to connect with nature and art when they visit Whimsical Creatures at the Floral Showhouse. In collaboration with Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, people of all ages can enjoy whimsical, topiary-like living sculptures meticulously crafted from thousands of plants in the refined horticultural style of mosaïculture. From a colossal dragon to a mystical Pegasus and more, each piece tells a unique story related to Niagara Parks’ dedication to horticultural excellence.
“Guests who visit the Floral Showhouse appreciate how nature and plants are transformed into creative artworks for them to explore,” says Charles Hunter, director of horticulture at Niagara Parks.
IMAGE COURTESY OF NIAGARA PARKS
“It’s often inspiring them to push their own boundaries in terms of creativity and nature,” he says. “The larger-than-life creations take guests’ breath away with their size and whimsy. Whether they come for the art form or to develop a love for nature, they are finding enjoyment and new perspectives.”
While in the area, don’t miss the breathtaking vistas of Niagara Glen. On Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, a Plein Air Painting event is taking place in the pristine nature reserve near the Niagara Whirlpool. This event offers art enthusiasts a unique opportunity to learn watercolour landscape painting from an experienced artist, all while being surrounded by the stunning views of one of Southern Ontario’s best-preserved Carolinian forests.
On Sept. 21, the Stratford Perth Museum hosts its semi-annual Indigenous Art Market and Cultural Celebration.IMAGE COURTESY OF STRATFORD PERTH MUSEUM
Cultural reflections in Perth
A large part of Perth County Tourism’s work supports culinary experiences, culinary arts and agritourism.
“We have noticed a continued interest in hands-on, experiential tourism by visitors of all ages,” says Clara Leney, tourism officer at the County of Perth. One of the beneficiaries of their support is the Stratford County Museum.
Worthy of a day trip or weekend escape, the museum is a vibrant community hub with seven acres of heritage trails and a calendar full of exciting events. On Sept. 21, the Stratford Perth Museum will host its semi-annual Indigenous Art Market and Cultural Celebration for the third year. An open mic setup will invite people to sing, share poetry and tell stories while passing through a world of Indigenous creators and their beautiful works.
If you’re looking for a wonderful way to combine learning, physical activity, the wonder of nature and literacy, visit the museum anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sept. 29 for the launch of the new Tales and Trails Book Trail, featuring Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak by Indigenous author Danielle Daniel, with illustrations by Jackie Traverse. You’ll experience this walking along a winding path into the woods, with bullfrogs croaking, birds humming past your ears and the earth gently giving under each step. Every 20 paces, you will find the next page of the book, displayed on a storyboard in the woods.
“The visitor becomes an explorer – of nature, of beauty – while being immersed in another story. … It’s quite peculiar and really marvellous,” says Kelly McIntosh, general manager of the Stratford Perth Museum. “Bringing people closer to history and stories brings them closer to themselves, and that’s exactly what we’re all about at the Stratford Perth Museum.”
Timeless cinema in Port Hope
The Port Hope Vintage Film Festival, running from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20, features screenings of timeless films from bygone eras, showcasing beloved classics and hidden gems.
“We are excited to be showcasing these vintage films and their directors. From the days of silent films to the Alfred Hitchcock era, each film offers unique insights into historical events and societal values, and their distinct styles and performances evoke a kind of nostalgia,” says Caitlin Cinelli, digital engagement co-ordinator for Interkom and Port Hope Tourism.
The festival’s program spans more than half a century (1921 to 1974) and includes a range of genres. Two silent films – Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. (1924) and Lois Weber’s The Blot (1921) – will be accompanied live on the piano by festival favourite Jordan Klapman, adding to the authentic and immersive experience.
“The beautifully preserved architecture and elegant interiors of the Capital Theatre Port Hope, with its intimate atmosphere and high-quality projection, is the perfect place for celebrating cinematic history,” Cinelli says. Visitors can also engage in discussions and panel sessions to gain deeper insights into the directors’ creative processes, historical contexts and unique contributions to cinema.
Find your colour this fall in York Durham Headwaters
Everyone loves the colours of fall – the reds, yellows, oranges and browns of all the changing leaves – but “there are many other colours to discover in the regions of York, Durham and Headwaters at local galleries, artist studios and studio tours,” says Susan Boyle, director of marketing at Central Counties Tourism, which covers the York, Durham and Headwaters region.
Four studio tours are particularly worthy of a visit. The 35th annual Uxbridge Studio Tour, running Sept. 14 to Sept. 15, is a route of galleries and art studios surrounded by forests, farmlands and historic downtown. Visit Art on the Fringe at the Uxbridge Historical Centre to meet artists and discover their paintings, ceramics, fibre arts, jewellery and sculpture, all set against beautiful scenery and heritage buildings with live music.
The new Caledon Studio Tour, running Sept. 21 to Sept. 22, features 25 artists across 18 stops in Caledon. Discover artwork directly from creators and enjoy the fall colours at nearby conservation areas such as Belfountain or Terra Cotta.
The 30th annual Georgina Studio Tour, running Sept. 28 to Sept. 29, is a self-guided tour in Georgina that lets you meet 43 artists across 26 scenic lakeside locations. You can use the Toureka! app to personalize your tour and plan an autumn weekend getaway.
The popular Whitchurch-Stouffville Studio Tour, running Oct. 19 to Oct. 20, has grown from a small artisan show to a major attraction with more than 20 venues featuring the work of more than 30 local artists. While visiting, explore Stouffville’s small-town shops, pubs, golf courses and nature trails.
When music and nature come together
“Music in nature’s always been a part of Westben,” says Donna Bennett, co-founder of the Westben Centre for Connection and Creativity through Music, which is nestled among the gently rolling hills of the Gunshot Treaty lands in Northumberland County near Campbellford.
Here visitors can watch butterflies fluttering past the barn doors, catch a show beside the pond at the Willow Hill Amphitheatre or enjoy music around a campfire. On Sept. 28 and 29, the centre is hosting a special Sounds in Nature experience, in which guests will join musicians and dancers on a morning walk through Mary West Nature Reserve, a 38-hectare property owned and maintained by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
“We find that people visiting Kawarthas Northumberland – whether it’s for a day trip, weekend getaway or a longer vacation – are seeking immersive experiences. From hands-on workshops to farm visits and guided kayaking tours, travellers want more than just sightseeing; they crave interactive experiences,” says Brenda Wood, executive director of Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8), Kawarthas Northumberland. “Our region is renowned for its natural beauty and agritourism, but it’s exciting to see how our thriving arts community is blending these elements together.”
A luminating experience at Koffler Arts
A profoundly moving and thought-provoking exhibition is on now through Oct. 20 at Koffler Arts in Toronto. Botannica Tirannica was created by renowned Brazilian artist Giselle Beiguelman, who was inspired after receiving a gift of a Tradescantia zebrina seedling, commonly known as the Wandering Jew, a name tied to a 13th-century myth that reappeared in Nazi propaganda. Beiguelman explores the complex, interwoven histories of botany, taxonomy and colonialism, which often lead to discrimination against specific groups of people.
On Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m., Josh Heuman, head of artistic engagement, will offer a guided walk through the exhibition. Visitors will encounter LED signs with phrases such as, “But what about the things that fall outside the pattern.” These signs are strategically placed at openings in the walls, at floor height, in the interior and exterior garden areas, and at the exit and are potential keys to understanding the space.
Whether you’re painting a landscape, crafting in a Victorian mansion or learning about famous films from years gone by, Ontario’s artistic experiences offer a rich and varied palette for anyone looking to explore the province this fall.
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