But as we hiked down from the ridge, admiring the gentle evening light reflecting the shapes of the forest, I couldn't help but compose a few final shots in my mind. These experiences were part of Arts in the Wild, a collection of Ontario-based creative arts programs offered by professional instructors in wilderness settings. Through Arts in the Wild workshops, which range from a half day to a week, people are inspired toward creativity on the shores of Lake Superior, in the ruggedness of Algonquin Park, under the shade of Temagami's old growth forests, or among other natural settings of Ontario. And the offerings vary as much as the geography. One can sculpt or sketch, construct drums or furniture, write songs or poetry.
Some programs are lodge-based.
Others require canoe travel and camping, and still others are run from art academies. Drum Making Artsperience. Inspired by the hemlock, birch and pine landscape of Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, novice drum makers find their musical and spiritual voice while treating skins, constructing laces and decorating their own drums. A northern Ontario drum maestro and maker interweaves aboriginal stories into instruction while students learn this Native craft. Beginner to advanced shutterbugs will dig daily wilderness excursions to photograph the bursting summer of the Killarney region.