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Yep, Ottawa! You're hitting all the best public art galleries! Did you also visit McMichael?
Now you've told me I'm going to pay a visit next week :)
Nice! A lot of great Group of Seven there.
By the way, if you happen to be from Toronto (or will be in Toronto around the end of November) the art auction houses have their major auctions around that time. They always have public previews / exhibitions in the days leading up to the auction, which happen to be a great way to see some art up close (before they get purchased by private collectors). The previews are totally free of charge, they might just ask you your name for security purposes, but otherwise anyone can come in and look at the art. This auction house has a big previously unseen Lawren Harris coming up: https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/major-fall-auction-canadian-international-fine-art-nov-28-2024/
The auction houses low-key love when more people come to the previews, even if they have no intention of bidding, so I recommend taking advantage of that if you can.
Thanks for the advice, unfortunately I'm just visiting from the UK. I'd definitely come back though when I can afford it. So much to see in Toronto alone.
Well then I hope you're enjoying Toronto, commonwealth-bro!
Hehe, I forgot that was even a thing. My grandad was born in Toronto and moved to England aged 3... he only left the country once in WW2 but still retained Canadian citizenship.
Neat, does that mean you also have Canadian citizenship? It seems that our grandparents' generation were leaving Ontario for the UK more frequently than I would have expected - Ricky Gervais' father for example was a Franco-Ontarian.
We're reminded about the Commonwealth whenever the monarchy is in the news, but I don't really know what purpose it serves beyond acting as a reminder of the history of our country. I don't believe the current generation feels much of a connection to the UK the way previous generations did. When I was a child I think there was much more of a feeling of connection (in fact two of my teachers in primary school were English expats, including a lovely little old lady named Mrs. Readey, who retired back to England once our year was done), but lately it feels like more people feel connected to the US, probably since their culture is propagated everywhere. And we generally don't think about the fact that Charles is also our king, as the monarchy has de facto zero influence on our government. I still like to periodically bring up the Commonwealth as a whimsical little nod to our history.
What did you think of Toronto / Ontario?
I think that would be too convenient for me ;) Unless there's something I've missed I thought it's just for those born in Canada, or can you pass it on? His father (from Penzance in UK) was editing an army paper for Canadian troops about 1917, then went to Toronto to work for the Telegram (folded in 1971 when Star and Globe sold a lot more issues!). Charles was born in 1920 and the family moved back to UK when he was aged 3 - couldn't find where he was born, but worked out the Telegram was on Bay and Melinda. Now Melinda St. is shorter and massive office complex and food court sits on the site.
Also the Telegram was very conservative and liked to emphasise Canada as part of "The Empire", very different times indeed. We also don't really think about the Royal Family in the UK except for distracting the poor, and selling tabloids, just ceremonial.
Left Ottawa for Montreal today. Was in Toronto about 3 days but going back for 5 days after I see Montreal, then the long flight home.
I was very impressed with the variety in Toronto a lot more ethnicities and cultures than back in my small city.
Never been to North America before and wasn't quite prepared for the scale of buildings - closest we have is London/Birmingham/Manchester. I'm a bit acrophobic so I had to stay away from the bay and centre but everything else is ... fantastic especially older buildings. I've never seen a Little Portugal before, want to see Koreatown and Kim's Convenience before I go. Feels like half the world has come to stay.
The little 3 story houses with porch and basement are lovely, they're also painting and decorated more individually. Planning on seeing the parks and more of Kensington Market too. Plenty to sketch (high park was great).
Also as you said it really makes sense that you're more connected to the USA, what with the largest population centre sticking down into great lakes by Detroit, Chicago, Rochester. Met some Chicagoans in Kensington bars.
Legal weed and.... possibly mushrooms was the biggest surprise.
