Orillia & Lake Country in the Fall is an Art Lover’s Dream

Orillia & Lake Country in the Fall is an Art Lover’s Dream

As trees turn to brilliant colours of red, orange, and yellow, Orillia & Lake Country becomes a living artistic landscape in the fall. Artists across mediums have found inspiration in the rolling hills and reflected waters of the region and fall is a perfect time to explore such creativity on a self-guided tour of Orillia & Lake Country’s arts and culture.

Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour

The Images Studio Tour is one of Ontario’s finest and longest running studio tours featuring over thirty outstanding artists and crafts people. Held over four days through the Thanksgiving Weekend, discover exceptional art and enjoy the beautiful fall colours of Simcoe County and Orillia Lake Country.

Artists, potters, photographers, and a host of creatives open their studios for the public to view, experience and purchase their works. This self-guided tour roams from Moonstone through the scenic Horseshoe Valley and along the Lake Simcoe shores to Orillia.

Over thirty outstanding artists and crafts people will exhibit their work over the 4 days at 18 different studios. See Images Studio Tour website for digital map and brochure.

Barn Quilts of Simcoe County

Art can be found all over Orillia & Lake Country as you traverse the countryside by car, bike, or motorcycle. Spend a day doing a self-guided Fall Tour Route and keep your eyes peeled for Simcoe County Barn Quilts, with participating locations through Oro-Medonte, Severn, and Ramara.  Featuring 155 painted quilts, these striking pieces of art are mounted on barns and buildings across the region to celebrate agriculture as an essential thread in the fabric of Simcoe County.

Drive safely and respect privacy. When viewing barn quilts please use caution when stopping or slowing down. Please remember that the quilts that are on private property must only be viewed from the safety of your vehicle.

See the map of Barn Quilts

Art Trees of Oro Medonte

A visit to the quaint village of Craighurst gives travelers a new outlook on art and nature. Installations in the form of hand painted Art Trees are featured throughout the four corners of the town, each tree gives a unique enhancement to the metal sculptures designed and fabricated by David Smith of Oro Design. View the full artist lineup and tour the art trees here.

Read feature blog on the stories behind Oro-Medonte’s Art_Trees

Streets Alive: Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot

Streets Alive, Orillia’s annual public art festival, winds up after Thanksgiving but not before one last chance to enjoy the colourful sculptures lining the streets. Walk the core of Orillia’s downtown to view the new tribute to folk-legend and Orillia native Gordon Lightfoot with this year’s theme, “A Painter Passing Through.” Each artist has interpreted the theme through their own artistic lens and medium, presenting over 60 hand-painted sculptures to explore. You can even spot sculptures from previous Streets Alive festivals throughout the downtown and the Orillia Arts District.

Orillia & Lake Country is full of talented artistic communities year-round, including the Orillia Museum of Art & History, Cloud Gallery, Creative Nomad Studios, Coldwater Studio Tour, Washago Art Club and more.

Extend your visit by booking an overnight stay in Orillia

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