By DARLA MCCAMMON

Lakeland Art Association

RMS Olympic in dazzle at Pier 2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

English-Canadian, Arthur Lismer was not only a member of the famous Group of Seven artists of Canada, but he also made a name for himself as the “dazzle camouflage” artist.  Lismer was born in June 1885 in Sheffield England.  An early interest in drawing and art led him to an apprenticeship at a photo-engraving company and in short order his talent obtained him a scholarship to the Sheffield School of Arts. He worked by day and studied art by night.  In 1905 he acted on an opportunity to study at the Academie Royale in Antwerp Belgium where he further honed his skills and was exposed to new schools of art such as post impressionism.

In 1911 Lismer immigrated to Toronto Canada and began to work at the commercial design company called GRIP Ltd.  It was here that he made the acquaintance of what was to become the nucleus of the “Group of Seven” artists.  His earliest friends were MacDonald, Thomson, and Carmichael.  Lismer married and had a daughter who traveled with them to Georgian Bay where Lismer was impressed with the grandeur and began painting the gorgeous outdoor scenery.  Halifax, Nova Scotia also became a favorite scenic place for Lismer who took a job there as the head of the Victoria School of Art and Design.

During wartime throughout his tenure in Halifax, Lismer’s work became noticed by the military.  Lord Beaverbrook nominated Lismer for the commission of an official war artist, for which he was accepted.  He did much work depicting the activities of minesweeping ships.  One of his most famous paintings was RMS Olympic in dazzle at Pier 2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Lismer was fascinated by the government use of painted dazzle to camouflage their ships.

Toronto lured him back with a position there, in 1919, as Vice-principal of the Ontario College of Art. He reunited with his old friends and the Group of Seven was officially born.  As with several in the group, Lismer reflected much of the Barbizon and Post impressionist movements he had seen in Belgium.  It is visible within his work and his artistic efforts.  Lismer also had a desire to help develop young artistic talent.  He established a very successful art program for children at the Art Gallery of Toronto, and later in life set up similar school programs in South Africa.  His work with children gained him the Order of Canada award, the highest honor Canada offers to a civilian.  Lismer Hall in Toronto features one of the largest murals in Canada and is still on display today.  It was a great achievement for Lismer.

Lismer was buried alongside other members of the original Group of Seven at the McMichael Gallery Grounds in Montreal.  He passed away on March 23, 1969.

Upcoming and Current Events: 

• Wonderful Exhibit by Teresa Carrano, Kim Baney and Wayne Harshberger, available all this month at LAA Gallery, located at 302 E. Winona Avenue, Warsaw. Open 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free.
• Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery features work by Darla McCammon. Free admission; open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. New exhibit coming August 1 by nationally known“SPLAT” artist, Marc Eckel. You won’t want to miss this exhibit.

Miss some columns? Many prior columns can be found at www.darlamc.com.  Also, Email her at [email protected], or call 574-527-4044.