“What Really Distinguishes an Ordinary City from a Great City is its Commitment to Arts and Culture”

What makes a city great? Is it the architecture? The friendly neighbourhoods? The great restaurants and shopping? Accessible and affordable public transportation? A solid infrastructure? Beautiful parks and green spaces? Yes to all these. But what really distinguishes an ordinary city from a great city is its commitment to arts and culture. Its art galleries, museums, and theatres. 

 

While Markham has only officially been a City for two years, we already have a thriving cultural life. And our motto, Leading While Remembering, is part of our cultural philosophy. We showcase and promote new artistic ventures, feature a wide range of cultural festivals and build modern theatres, galleries and museums. 

But we also celebrate our past. Our premier art gallery is named for F.H. Varley, who, with his fellow members of the Group of Seven, devoted himself to creating a distinctly Canadian style of art. And depicting the Canadian landscape in all its many beautiful forms. Before the Group of Seven and other artists of that time, such as Emily Carr, Canada had no presence in the world of art. After these pioneering, passionate artists, Canada became known for a rugged style of painting that matched our rugged terrain. 

 

Another founding member of the Group of Seven was Franklin Carmichael. Unlike his colleagues, he preferred to depict the world around him in watercolour instead of oil paint. The Varley Art Gallery has two of Franklin Carmichael’s paintings on display right now as part of a Canadian Art Exhibit that runs until September. It’s worth a visit. But what makes Franklin Carmichael interesting to me is that he worked at full time jobs to support his family while devoting many, many of his personal hours to his art. He was employed at various design firms in Toronto, creating illustrations and designs for newspapers and magazines and then taught for 13 years at the Ontario College of Art. He eventually became head of the Graphic Design and Commercial Art Department at OCA. Franklin Carmichael lived in Thornhill for a few years around 1915, renting a home close to his fellow Group of Seven members Arthur Lismer and J.E.H MacDonald (whose home is still in Thornhill). Franklin Carmichael was also a talented musician. He played the flute, cello and bassoon and art historians have described his paintings as rhythmic and musical. 

 

So what a fitting tribute to an artist known for his lyrical depictions of the Canadian landscape than to name this park after him. I think Franklin Carmichael would be delighted that his granddaughter, Dr. Catharine Mastin and great granddaughter, Jennifer McNamara, are with us today to help dedicate this park to him. And so are we. Incidentally, Dr. Mastin is director of the Art Gallery of Windsor and is a noted figure in today’s Canadian art world. Thank you both for joining us today. 

Just as the Franklin Carmichael and his fellow artists did, area residents can come here to surround themselves with nature. And maybe a few will be inspired to paint. 

 

Thank you.