Mark Making: Art in Scugog
This exhibit explores historic artists who have worked or lived in Scugog, and what marks they have left through their artwork.
Gertrude Spurr Cutts
Born in Scarborough Yorkshire England in 1958, Gertrude moved to Canada and eventually settled in Port Perry in 1909. She very often found inspiration in nature.
Old Dutch Farm 2016.16.1 by Gertrude Spurr-CuttsScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Education
Gertrude studied at Scarborough School of Arts in Yorkshire, Lambeth School of Arts in London, and New York Art Students League. She believed there was always more to learn and more to be involved in.
Inspiration
Gertrude travelled through Southern Ontario, Quebec, England, and Wales. She took inspiration from these travels, and painted the beauty she saw.
For North Carolina 970.58.1 by Gertrude Spurr-CuttsScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Getting Involved
Gertrude Spurr Cutts arrived in Toronto in 1890, already having established herself as an accomplished artist in the male-dominated field. She was active in the Toronto Art Scene, opening her own studio and becoming a member of many art clubs.
She was described as “Quite versatile in both medium and subject matter, she worked in oils, watercolours and pen and ink...painted landscapes, river scenes, seascapes, coastal genre, rural scenes, floral studies, and occasional still life, though she is best known fer her picturesque rural landscapes” -Canadian women artists: artist database
Arlington Village and Equinot Mountain 990.29.139 by Gertrude Spurr-CuttsScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Exhibits
Gertrude’s work has been shown in many galleries, including Ontario Society of Artists, Canadian National Exhibition, Royal Canadian Academy, and Art Association of Montreal as well as international exhibits.
Painting Port Perry
“Her pictures of landscapes, flowers, and still life, were a delightful addition to Canadian art; and gave great pleasure to those privileged to own or see them” Port Perry Star.
2016.15.1 by Gertrude Spurr-CuttsScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Gertrude continued painting in Port Perry from 1909 until her passing in 1943.
Tom Thomson
Born in Claremont, Durham Region in 1877, Tom Thomson found beauty in the great Canadian outdoors. Lake Scugog was one of his sources of inspiration.
Reproduction of "Near Lake Scugog" by Tom ThomsonScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Early Paintings
In the early years of his art career, Tom Thomson painted as a hobby as he worked as a commercial artist and engraver for Grip Ltd.
Reproduction of "Evening, Lake Scugog" by Tom Thomson by UnknownScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
In 1911, Tom Thomson went on a short trip out of Toronto to get a break from the city and to see more natural beauty. He found himself in Scugog, which became his inspiration for the time.
Reproduction of "The Marsh" by Tom Thomson by UnknownScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Tom Thomson returned to Lake Scugog a few times to sketch the scenic landscape and get away from the noises of the big city.
Leslie Parkes
Born in 1925 in Rochester New York, he moved to Toronto in 1926, then to Oshawa in 1935. Parkes eventually retired to Port Perry.
Donation to the Museum
In 1978, Parkes made a donation to Scugog Shores Museum Village and Archives. He donated five original watercolour paintings and prints of some of the buildings on the Museum property.
Log Cabin by Leslie ParkesScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Art Career
After graduating art college , Parkes started working for the packaging and design company E.S.A. Robinson Ltd. in Toronto. He eventually became art director of the company and held that position until he retired in 1986.
Head Church by Leslie ParkesScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Teaching
Not only was Parkes an artist, but a teacher as well. He was a professor of Graphic Arts and Interior Design at Durham College of Arts & Technology.
Lee House by Leslie ParkesScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Award
To commend his work, he was inducted to the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolours (C.S.P.W.C.) in 1987.
Print Shop by Leslie ParkesScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Activities in Port Perry
For 21 years, while Leslie Parkes and his wife lived in Port Perry. They were involved with the Borelians Community Theatre, designing sets and costumes for productions and sometimes even acting.
Port Perry Star, 18 September, 1984, p. 8 by Port Perry StarScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Leslie Parkes and his wife helped with a production of "Birdseye Center" which won a THEA Award for "Best Musical Production" in 1986.
Lasting Impressions
Prints of Parkes' watercolour paintings are still being sold at the museum to this day!
Curtis Point Port PerryScugog Shores Museum Village and Archives
Art in Scugog
Scugog has inspired many artists in the past and it is still home to many practicing artists. See more local art at Scugog Council for the Arts, Kent Farndale Gallery, and Port Perry Artists Association.
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