Tom Thomson: Centennial Swim

On July 8, 1917, Group of Seven painter Tom Thomson’s life met a tragic end when he drowned in Canoe Lake, a popular access point to the waterways in Algonqiun Park, Ontario. One hundred years later, Canadian artist Paul Walde swam the 3 km length of the lake for his work titled Tom Thomson Centennial Swim.

The swim was accompanied by a series of interconnected events: a brass band with a mandolin soloist performing a new long form music composition by Walde, three synchronized swimming routines a various points along the route, and a flotilla of canoes carrying the band.