Explore Your Wild Side at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery’s 2026 Palette to Palate Fundraising Event
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery invites the community to celebrate art, creativity, and community. Palette to Palate: Let’s Go Wild! is an evening of art, food, wine, music and creativity inspired by Tom Thomson’s enduring love of the Canadian wilderness.
Taking place Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 7pm – 10pm, the Gallery’s signature fundraising event will bring together an eclectic mix of experiences throughout the evening, with proceeds supporting the TOM’s exhibitions, programs and community initiatives.
Guests can enjoy wild-inspired food by Chef Jason Merton, music by DJ Todd, interactive artmaking with artist Heather Travis, behind-the-scenes Vault Tours, and a silent auction featuring items generously donated by local businesses and community supporters.
Wine lovers can add a Perfect Pairings experience led by wine industry expert Robert Ketchin, who will guide guests through specially selected wine and cheese combinations courtesy of Georgian Hills Vineyards and Ardiel Cider House.
Keeping the evening lively will be radio personality and MC Philly Markowitz, who will host the festivities. And guests are encouraged to become part of the spectacle themselves; in keeping with the Let’s Go Wild! theme, attendees are invited to embrace bright colours, animal prints, statement pieces and anything fun, flashy or generally fabulous. The Gallery’s curatorial team will be keeping a discerning eye on the crowd and awarding prizes for the wildest attire of the evening.
The Tom Thomson Art Gallery gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Title Sponsor, 89.3 CFOS FM; Wine & Cider Sponsors, Georgian Hills Vineyards and Ardiel Cider House; and Table Sponsors, Tom & Edna Burri, Escarpment Magazine, Pet Valu - Owen Sound, Chestnut Park Real Estate Brokerage –Barbara Temple, Marsh insurance, and Mosaic magazine. Their support helps make Palette to Palate possible and contributes to the continued success of the Gallery’s exhibitions, programs and community initiatives.
For more information, please contact Emily Colman, Fundraising Coordinator, at 519-376-1932 ext. 5008 or email ecolman@tomthomson.org.
“The Tom Thomson Art Gallery is an important part of what makes our city a vibrant place to live and visit, and this event is a wonderful opportunity to come together and support the Gallery and the work it does in our community.”
— Mayor Ian Boddy, City of Owen Sound
“Palette to Palate is about bringing people together through art, creativity and community. This year’s theme draws inspiration from Tom Thomson’s connection to the land and the wild places that shaped his life and work. It’s an opportunity to celebrate that enduring relationship while supporting the exhibitions, educational programs and community experiences the Gallery delivers throughout the year.”
— Director and Chief Curator, Aidan Ware
Tickets can be purchased online at www.tomthomson.org by selecting Events. Online purchasers will need to login or create a PerfectMind account to access ticket sales. They can also be purchased in person at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.
All proceeds from Palette to Palate: Let’s Go Wild! support the Tom Thomson Art Gallery’s exhibitions, programs and community initiatives.
Quick Facts:
- Palette to Palate: Let’s Go Wild! takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, Owen Sound
- Tickets: $75 available online or in person at the Gallery
- Event hosted by MC Philly Markowitz featuring food by Chef Jason Merton, music by DJ Todd, and interactive art with Heather Travis
- Perfect Pairings with wine expert Robert Ketchin: $20 per person, available at the event
- Vault Tours: $10 per person, available at the event
- Cash Bar
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