Summer Exhibitions Opening at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery

The Tom Thomson Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of its Summer 2026 exhibitions: Tú eres mi otro yo: Mundos, Mundo, Worlds by Michelle Peraza; Content is Just a Glimpse exploring the life and work of Robert Markle; and Forecast – June to January. The exhibitions open with a free public reception on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the TOM.

Tú eres mi otro yo: Mundos, Mundo, Worlds presents new works by Toronto-based artist Michelle Peraza. Developed during a two-year period of recovery following a serious accident, the exhibition explores healing, interconnectedness, and transformation through intricate textile and mixed-media works. Drawing on Curanderismo, a traditional healing practice that blends Indigenous Mesoamerican, African, and European medicinal knowledge with spiritual beliefs and ceremonial practices, Peraza combines handmade paper, medicinal plants, precious metals, hand-dyed textiles, and stitched fibres to create immersive works that reflect on resilience, care, and our relationship to the more-than-human world.

Content is Just a Glimpse explores the life and work of Robert Markle (1936–1990), a major figure in Canada's postwar art scene whose bold, expressive style and fiercely independent spirit challenged artistic conventions. Working across painting, sculpture, music, writing, and teaching, Markle earned a reputation as one of the country's most original and uncompromising creative voices. Presented in partnership with the Durham Art Gallery, the exhibition brings together paintings, monoprints, lithographs, and sculptures that celebrate the breadth of his multidisciplinary practice and his enduring legacy within Canadian art.

The second instalment of Forecast continues the TOM's exploration of seasonal change through works from the permanent collection. Anchored by paintings and sketches by Tom Thomson alongside historical and contemporary works, the exhibition traces the transition from summer through autumn into winter, inviting visitors to consider changing weather, shifting light, and our embodied relationship to the rhythms of the natural world.

Together, these exhibitions bring historical and contemporary perspectives into conversation, exploring creativity as a process of transformation, observation, and connection. Whether through Peraza's meditations on healing, Markle's boundless artistic experimentation, or Thomson's attentiveness to seasonal change, each exhibition encourages visitors to consider the many ways art can deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The exhibitions demonstrate how art can heal, inspire, and bring people together, while emphasizing that every creative journey is supported by a wider community of shared experiences and relationships.  All are welcome to join the free Opening Reception on Saturday, July 11, 2026, 2 – 4 p.m. at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery (840 1st Ave W, Owen Sound).

For more information, please contact Shannon Bingeman, Curator of Exhibitions & Collections, at 519-376-1932 ext. 5003 or email sbingeman@tomthomson.org

Quote:

"The Tom Thomson Art Gallery continues to bring exceptional Canadian art and ideas to our community. These summer exhibitions showcase both contemporary artistic voices and important moments in Canada's artistic history while encouraging meaningful conversations across generations."

— Mayor Ian Boddy

Quick Facts:

• Michelle Peraza: Tú eres mi otro yo: Mundos, Mundo, Worlds runs July 4 - October 3, 2026.
• Markle: Content is Just a Glimpse runs July 4 - October 3, 2026.
• Forecast – June to January runs June 27, 2026 - January 16, 2027.
• Opening Reception: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 2 – 4 p.m.
• Admission to the TOM is by donation; the Gallery is fully accessible.

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