Three-week art show celebrates threatened Wolf Lake old-growth forest
NORTH BAY — Spirit of the Red Pine, a fundraising visual art exhibit by the pARTners for Wolf Lake, will launch next Friday at Cobalt’s Classic Theatre. The exhibit will be on display at the Classic’s Mezzanine Gallery from July 10 to August 2. An opening reception will be held on July 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. The goal of the show is to raise awareness about one of Ontario’s most significant old-growth forests.
“Wolf Lake is a gem,” says painter Rod Prouse. “The monumental pines and surrounding rock faces and heights create a sense of seclusion, drama and space.” Prouse’s current paintings reference the Canadian landscape in a refreshing contemporary style.
Located 30 km from Lake Temagami, Wolf Lake is surrounded by the world’s largest stand of old-growth red pine. This forest type is an endangered ecosystem, existing on only 1.2% of it’s original habitat. The show is a fundraiser for the Wolf Lake Coalition. The Coalition is calling on the Wynne government to add Wolf Lake to the neighbouring Chiniguchi Provincial Park.
“After critically-acclaimed shows around Ontario, we are proud to bring this art back to the North,” says show organizer Bob Olajos. “Northerners have always loved Wolf Lake and they want to see it protected.”
This painting is by pARTners for Wolf Lake artist E. Robert Ross of Midland. It is entitled Above Cache Lake, Algonquin .