Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Ontario Society of Artists!

2022 marks a major anniversary for the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA) – Canada’s oldest continuously operating professional art society, founded in 1872.

The OSA’s fascinating history is tied to both art education and provincial galleries, including the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U), the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), and the Government of Ontario Art Collection.

In celebration of this milestone, Society members donated their artworks to the Government of Ontario Art Collection. This addition of 28 contemporary artworks with diverse styles and subject matter complements the almost 200 works by both historical and contemporary Society artists already in the Collection.

To celebrate this anniversary year, explore the following resources and links:

• For information on anniversary calls for artists, exhibitions, and publications. Click here to visit the Ontario Society of Artists’ website

• Click here to view The Archive of Merit: From OSA to OCAD an online exhibit of original artworks created by students in OCAD U’s Drawing & Painting, Printmaking & Publications and Criticism & Curatorial Practice programs during the 2021-22 academic year. The pieces reflect upon and respond to the Society’s 150-year history of donations to the Government of Ontario Art Collection and the Archives of Ontario. This online exhibit is on display from April 19 to September 2, 2022.

• Learn about the Ontario Society of Artists through the Archives of Ontario:

• The Ontario Society of Artists and the Government of Ontario Art Collection online exhibit

• Photographs from F 1140 Ontario Society of Artists fonds on Wikimedia Commons

• Photographs of artists affiliated with the Ontario Society of Artists on Wikimedia Commons

• F 1066-1 Files on C.W. Jefferys

• F 1140 Ontario Society of Artists fonds

• F 2154 Cleeve Horne fonds

• F 4603 Ian Trowell fonds

New events and announcements will be added to this page during the anniversary year. Check back often!

For more information about donations to the Government of Ontario Art Collection, please visit our donations page. The Ontario Society of Artists continues to welcome new members.  

Banner image above features (at left) the Ontario Society of Artists’ historical logo, and (at right) the logo designed by member Pat Dumas-Hudecki to celebrate the 150th anniversary. The translucent colours represent many diverse talents coming together, and the overlapping letters emphasize the Society’s connections and collaborations.