Art Toronto 2026: The Group of Seven and Beyond - Overview

Rookleys Canadian Art is pleased to present The Group of Seven and Beyond, a special exhibition showcasing the artists, friendships, and students that shaped Canadian landscape painting, and the ways their influence is portrayed in art today.

The Group of Seven holds a central place in Canadian art history. Through their paintings of the Canadian landscape, the Group helped establish a distinctly Canadian artistic identity in the early twentieth century. Yet their story extends far beyond the seven artists themselves. Surrounding the Group was a much wider circle whose contributions helped expand their ideas across Canada.

The Group of Seven and Beyond explores these relationships that influenced generations of Canadian painters. Alongside works by members of the Group of Seven, visitors will encounter paintings by artists who knew, worked alongside, or were influenced by the Group.

Visitors will discover paintings by Group of Seven members including A. Y. Jackson, A. J. Casson, Franklin Carmichael, J. E. H. MacDonald, Edwin Holgate, Frank (Franz) Johnston alongside works by artists whose careers intersected with or were inspired by the Group.

Among them are Robert Pilot, Charles Comfort, Marc-Aurèle Fortin, Kazuo Nakamura, Nora Collyer, Rose Wiselberg, Alan Collier, Joseph Plaskett and others who contributed to the development of Canadian landscape painting throughout the twentieth century.

The Beyond section is led by Maud Lewis, one of the most important and recognized Canadian folk artists of the generations that followed the Group of Seven. From Lewis, the exhibition moves into the 21st century, featuring contemporary Canadian artists whose work reflects the continuing legacy of the Group of Seven and their approach to art.

The influence of the Group of Seven can still be seen in Canadian art today through artists who have been inspired by the Group, their ideas, and their approach to art. These artists include Kirsten Bergmann, Robert Buick, Bruno Capolongo, Peter Cheung, Winnie Chen, David Drum, Sabina Fenn, Steven Henderson, Nadia Lassman, Sam Paonessa, Jazmine Miller, and Helen Utsal.

In bringing these generations together, The Group of Seven and Beyond offers a broader perspective on one of the most influential movements in Canadian art.

This exhibition will be in our booth at Art Toronto, Canada’s leading international art fair held every year in Toronto. The event will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre – North Building (255 Front Street West, Toronto, ON) from October 29th– November 1st, 2026.

Visiting Hours
First Look & Opening Night - Thursday, October 29, 2026
First Look: 4PM - 6PM
Opening Night: 6PM - 10PM

Public Days
Friday, October 30: 12PM - 9PM
Saturday, October 31: 12PM - 7PM
Sunday, November 1: 12PM - 6PM