What does it mean to hold land in trust?
It means caring for something that is bigger than ourselves – protecting the forests, wetlands, shorelines and rare ecosystems that make this region special, and ensuring they are here for future generations.
This summer, the City of Orillia and the Couchiching Conservancy are bringing that idea to life through Land in Trust, a new art exhibition celebrating our relationship with the natural world.
Artists were invited to interpret the theme in their own way, drawing inspiration from the landscapes around us and the importance of conservation. Some works reflect specific places protected by the Conservancy, while others explore broader ideas of biodiversity, stewardship and our connection to nature.
The result is an opportunity to see familiar landscapes through a different lens — and perhaps to notice something we might otherwise overlook.
The exhibition is on display from June through December 2026 at the Stack Gallery in the Orillia Recreation Centre and the Gallery at the Orillia Opera House. A portion of the proceeds from artwork sold will support the Couchiching Conservancy and local conservation efforts.
We’re grateful to the City of Orillia for partnering with us to celebrate the land we all share – and to the artists who have helped tell its story in a new way.
Land in Trust is an invitation to look, reflect and consider what it means to care for the places that sustain us. You can see the exhibit until December 2026.