Out of the Woods

If you’re going to be in the Simcoe area in the near future be sure to stop by the Norfolk Arts Center to take in their new exhibition “Out of the Woods” which begins on Friday March 28th and will run through until Friday June 27th. “Out of the Woods” features the work of Turkey Point folk artist Robert McCairns.
Robert McCairns was born in Scotland and came to Canada at the age of 18 in 1923. McCairns settled in the Turkey Point area and made his living on the land hunting, fishing, managing marsh lands and acting as a guide. It was during this time that he tried his hand at carving decoys and that was the start of his journey into the world of folk art. After a severe illness led to semiretirement, McCairns began to use his carving skills to recreate the likeness of the birds inhabiting the marshes of Long Point. It wasn’t long until he began to branch out and include other subject matters that included cats, dogs, pigs and fish.
Robert’s first major exhibition was in 1977 at the Lynnwood Art Center which was the predecessor of the Norfolk Art Center. In 2008, the Norfolk Art Center is pleased to exhibit a selection of these marvelous carvings once again.
The Norfolk Arts Centre is open Wednesdays to Fridays, 10am-4pm. For more information please contact 519-428-0540 or email bob.missen@norfolkcounty.on.ca .