A collection of works by a prominent Grey County artist is coming to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery in Owen Sound, after being donated by a late Hamilton businessman and former Canadian senator.
David Braley — a businessman, philanthropist and owner of numerous CFL teams during his lifetime — donated 10 artworks by George McLean to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery through his Hamilton-based company Alexander Tools Ltd.
Based in Grey County, McLean is a well-known wildlife artist. He was awarded the Order of Ontario in 2020.
Braley passed away last year at the age 79. He was a long-time collector of McLean’s work, purchasing numerous pieces for his home and businesses over decades.
“David Braley was very passionate about Canadian Wildlife art, and the works by George McLean had a special place in his heart,” said Alexander Tools president Grant Panchyson in a statement. “He always knew that there would be no better place than the Tom Thomson Art Gallery to share these great pieces with everyone. The works of art have found their permanent home.”
The collection the Tom Thomson Art Gallery is receiving includes eight paintings and two graphite drawings. Plans are currently being developed to publicly showcase them.
The Gallery’s Curator of Collection, David Huff first saw the collection in Mr. Braley’s office at Alexander Tools in 2019.
“There is no one else who can capture Grey County landscape and the animals that live there, like George McLean,” Huff said.
A number of the artworks coming to the Tom were included in the 2010 Tom Thomson Art Gallery exhibition George McLean: The Living Landscape. It toured to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Art Gallery of Sudbury, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, and the National Wildlife Museum in Jackson Hole Wyoming.
“This is a wonderful gift. We are grateful to David Braley and Alexander Tools Ltd. for their generosity in donating this collection so that we can share George McLean’s incredible talent with the public,” said Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy in a statement. “I congratulate the Tom Thomson Art Gallery and the City of Owen Sound on their collaborative effort in coordinating this important donation and look forward to seeing the works at the Gallery very soon.”
