Upcoming events
- No upcoming events
Follow Us |
|
Fostering and promoting the Visual Arts throughout Ontario since 1872. |
Standing Up For... Ontario's Natural Areas
The OSA has been involved in conservation and preservation since 1929 when the organization began negotiations with the Ontario Government to preserve "trees and the flow of water on the large waterfalls".
"Conservation and Preservation of the O.S.A.*
As early as 1929 the OSA was involved with conservation and preservation of the land by negotiating with the government to introduce a special clause into all contracts with companies developing water power or lumbering in Ontario. The clause would give the government "power to restrict any unnecessary destruction of natural beauty." They also requested special attention for "the preservation of trees and the flow of water on the large waterfalls. ”In 1931 to 1933, A.Y. Jackson, F.H. Brigson and Arthur Lismer along with several determined environmentalists, began a campaign to halt the Spanish River Lumber Co. from reaping the benefits of their timber rights along the shore of Whiterock Lake. The 1933 agreement was renewed in 1965-66.In 1961 Whiterock Lake was renamed O.S.A. Lake in honour of the efforts of the OSA to save the Killarney Lakes region from timbering to the shoreline. (According to online tourist information, it was Trout Lake and renamed in 1933.)OSA officers helped create the Killarney Recreation Reserve Act which halted land sale of 4,000 square miles of Great Lake shoreline. (Great Mountain Lake may be the lake referred to here.)1964 Killarney Recreational Reserve Act was amended, and North Georgian Bay Recreational Reserve was developed. In 1965 the OSA renewed the campaign to save Killarney Lakes area from commercial exploitation with Eric Aldwinckle acting as organizer and spokesman. By 1971, partially as a result of OSA campaigning, Killarney Lakes area was designated as Ontario's 2nd "primitive" provincial park.
*Information from the Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art, Ontario Society of Arts Timeline ccca.ca
2026 Event | Standing up for The Escarpment Corridor Alliance 'The Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA) congratulates the Bruce Trail Conservancy (BTC) on its purchase of the former Talisman Mountain Resort lands in Ontario’s iconic Beaver Valley. This strategic acquisition represents a significant victory for conservation, not only because it ensures these lands are protected indefinitely, but also because it shows what can happen when the community and organizations come together to preserve ecologically significant sites on the Escarpment.' |
2025 Event | Standing Up for the Alliston Aquifer 14 participants from the Ontario Society of Artists experience creative exploration of the importance of the Alliston Aquifer and clean water occurred over two days, May 7 to 10 2025 in the Elmvale/Midland/Penetanguishene area. It is a rich area and a rich program with sites including the Elmvale Spring, marshes, old growth forests and bays. Participants are stayed in Midland at the Quality Inn or with friends in the area. Three OSA members live in or near the area and have been of generous help. Barbara Simmons, Clare Ross and Gill Cameron have all contributed with ideas and/or hands on involvement. Barb spent a Friday driving the area with me to create the schedule and determine meeting places. She also created colourful pages about the areas in which we will be creating. |
2024 Event | Standing Up for White Bear Forest A partnership with the Nipissing Region Curatorial Collective Ontario Society of Artists journeyed to White Bear Forest and joined naturalists to bring awareness of the importance of White Bear Forest to the public. |
2023 Event | Standing Up for the Escarpment A collaboration with The Broken Forest Group and the Escarpment Corridor Alliance Ontario Society of Artists joined artists of The Broken Forest Group to bring awareness to plans to develop Escarpment lands and farms near Collingwood. |
2022 Event | In its 150th year, the OSA reinvigorated this involvement by developing the Project |