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Sault gets cultural tourism funding

The province is providing $60,000 in tourism funding so organizations in Sault Ste. Marie can enhance their programming around the Group of Seven artists.
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“The Pool” by Tom Thomson

The province is providing $60,000 in tourism funding so organizations in Sault Ste. Marie can enhance their programming around the Group of Seven artists.

“The Group of Seven has a unique connection with our region and with this funding we can help to educate people and build a greater appreciation for these uniquely Canadian artists,” Sault MPP David Orazietti said in a release. “This program will help to strengthen and grow our artistic and cultural community and promote artistic tourism opportunities in Sault Ste. Marie and across the Algoma region.”

The $60,000 in funding will go toward providing training for organizations and tourism operators across the Algoma region by creating training modules which highlight the Group of Seven and their connection with the Algoma region.

“This multifaceted Group of Seven product development and training program will truly help to put Algoma Country on the map for the cultural traveller, while increasing the capacity of all participants in the training sessions that will be undertaken through the duration of the program and into the future,” said Carol Caputo, executive director of Ontario’s Algoma Country.

Tourism Sault Ste. Marie has developed a number of Group of Seven-related attractions, including a wine and cheese event at the Art Gallery of Algoma, during which the curator speaks about the members and visitors can view originals in the collection.

From there, visitors enjoy a sit-down meal, complete with staff in period costumes, at the newly built Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site across the street.

The next day, visitors board the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, accompanied by an artist guide who accompanies them to the various painting sites favoured by Group of Seven members, speaking about their inspiration behind the work. On the return trip, guests get to paint their own versions of the famous canvases, keeping their paintings as mementos of the trip.