MacLaren Arts Centre Celebrates Metis Artist Andrew Trudeau

The MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie is a free public art gallery located on the corner of Mulcaster St. and Collier St. in downtown Barrie. The gallery is dedicated to not only bringing a wide variety of artists to the community but also showcasing the diverse group of artists within Simcoe County. The Drawings of Andrew Trudeau does just that. The collection of hand-drawn art, done with graphite and coloured pencils, celebrates Trudeau’s perspective of his home of Georgian Bay while celebrating the way of life of his Metis ancestors. Trudeau descends from Drummond Island Metis who migrated to Penetanguishene in the 1820s.

Trudeau began exploring his artistic side late in life while living in Hillcrest Home in Midland. It all started with the scoot, a historic piece of Georgian Bay. Having trouble describing these man-made island transport machines to a woman at Hillcrest Home, Trudeau decided to draw one for her. Although he had limited use of his hands, Trudeau continued to draw every day while at Hillcrest, giving us the drawings we see at the exhibit today.

MacLaren is not the first place to celebrate Trudeau’s work. Trudeau had his first showing at Hillcrest Home for the residents. After his death, his work resurfaced and was shown at the Midland Indigenous Cultural Centre of Indigenous Art as part of The Drawings exhibit. His work continues to be celebrated as an important piece of work that help to communicate and preserve Metis culture. Trudeau's family has donated pieces of his art that will be exhibited at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Andrew Trudeau: Drawing Georgian Bay can be seen at MacLaren Art Centre until March 31.