McMichael Gallery Wedding Venue
The McMichael Gallery wedding venue is the perfect location for a couple that loves art. If you love Canadian art it’s all the better. The McMichael gallery is situated in the beautiful village of Kleinburg in Vaughan, Ontario. It is a truly picturesque locale. What makes the McMichael better than all the other art galleries that you could use as a wedding venue is its expansive forest and history.
The History of McMichael Gallery
It is interesting to discover that the McMichael Art Gallery was never planned. Robert and Signe McMichael bought the 10 acres of property in Kleinburg as the location of their new home. In 1954, Leo Venchiarutti designed their original home as well as subsequent additions for decades to come. The couple absolutely loved the landscapes that Canada is known for. As an outlet for their love of our country’s natural wonder, they began collecting Canadian art that captured it. By the 1960’s, the McMichaels had collected so many beautiful artworks, a fair amount by the Group of Seven, they began allowing visitors into their private gallery. As their collection began to grow to upwards of 194, both purchased and donated, they realized that they had created something culturally significant. Like true Canadians Robert and Signe decided that every Canadian should have access to these beautiful national treasures. In 1965, they gifted their land, home and art collection to the Province of Ontario.
Amazingly, there is also a very unassuming National Historic Site on the gallery grounds. The Tom Thomson Shack also known as the Studio Building sits snuggly amongst the trees. This shack was purchased by Lawren Harris and Dr. James McCallum to create a space for local artists to live, work and socialize. Famous names such as Tom Thomson and A.Y. Jackson frequented the building. Thomson would begin living in the shack in 1915 until his death in 1917. Tom painted many works inside this building including his most famous works, “The Jack Pine” and “The West Wind”. It really gives you a whole lot of chills to be so close to where such stunning timeless masterpieces were created.
The gallery has another breathtaking area on its lovely land. The McMichael Cemetary, where 6 members of the Group of Seven, their spouses, and the galleries originators are buried. This was the idea of Jackson, who wanted to be buried in Kleinburg. The graves are marked with rough cut granite from the very land that these people loved so much. It feels quite surreal and like an honour to be in the presence of much masters final resting place.
Artists buried at the McMichael:
- Arthur Lismer
- Frederick Horsman Varley
- Lawren Stewart Harris
- Alexander Young Jackson
- Frank Johnston
- Alfred Joseph Casson
Planning Your McMichael Gallery Wedding:
When you book your McMichael Gallery wedding you and your guests have exclusive access to the property.
You can have your ceremony outdoors in the gorgeous natural setting with a view of the Humber Valley, on the Wedding Hilltop. The rental fee for the hilltop is $775. Capacity: 150 guests
The Grand Hall is a great space for your wedding reception. You truly feel deep in nature while surrounded by the space’s log and stone structure and massive view of the valley. The Front Courtyard is included as the perfect spot to greet your guests. The rental fee is $3,150.00. Capacity: 150 guests, seated.
Thinking more of an indoor ceremony? You can use Gallery Eight! The gallery has the same large windows, log and stone features as the Grand Hall. Access to the gallery for your guests viewing delight is included for 2 hours. Capacity: 150 guests. The rental fee is $1000.00.
Want your guests to have full access to the beautiful artworks that adorn the McMichael? No problem! You can rent the galleries for $500 per level.
The McMichael Gallery is truly a wedding dream for the art lover. You’ll also be supporting the success of the collection! 🙂
Check out more Ontario Wedding Venues on the blog.