Landscape Legacies

These works were created about one hundred years ago by a group of artists in Canada called “The Group of Seven” (Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, A. Y. Jackson, Franz Johnston, Arthur Lismer, J. E. H. MacDonald, and Frederick H. Varley).

This group, who shared a studio in Toronto, was made up of a commercial artist, a wartime illustrator, a teacher, a self-taught artist, and others. The artists would take their canoes out regularly to paint rugged landscapes of Canada. Their intent was to give Canadians a sense of pride in who they were. They had to be strong to survive and that was reflected in their compositions that were strong, simple forms. They felt that Canada, as a new country, should have its own original art and sense of aesthetics, and not try to copy anyone else. They shared their ideas and created art for the common good, or benefit of all. They worked to develop access to art for the common good and rarely were paid for their work. 

Define philanthropy as giving time, talent, or treasure for the common good. Define legacy as a perpetual gift without end. These artists created a legacy of environmental art for the common good of the Canadian people.

Art is often an important part of philanthropy: donations and grants often support the arts, and the arts express themes of community. Artists can give us a sense of value not only for who we are, but for how we live in our world.

Challenge youth to do this through their own art, inspired by the simple style of the Group of Seven. They paint or illustrate a picture of the environment – a local landscape - so beautiful that no one would want to destroy the place by either pollution or violence.