The Group of Seven Guitar Project

Directed by: Jason Charters, Liam Romalis
Featuring: Jean Larrivee, Grit Laskin, Linda Manzer, Sergei De Jong, Tony Duggan-Smith, George Gray and David Wren
Format: HD
Year: 2017
Produced by: Riddle Films in association with the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery
Distributed by: Riddle Films

Using documentary footage, interviews, archival recordings and original performances, The Group of Seven Guitar Project is an anthology of films that tells the story of two parallel groups of artists: Canada’s famous Group of Seven painters, and seven luthiers who have come together to honour their work through seven original guitars inspired by the paintings.

When they first met in an industrial Toronto studio in the early ‘70’s, these guitar makers: Linda Manzer, William “Grit” Laskin, Tony Duggan-Smith, Sergei de Jonge, George Gray, David Wren and Jean Larrivée, had no idea that their work would develop the craft of guitar building into an art form itself. But, much like the original painters, they have gone on to impact not just their own field but popular culture as well.

Featuring some of Canada’s finest guitar players, including Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Cook, Kevin Breit, Toney Springer, Don Ross, Suzie Vinnick and more, we see and hear how the original Group of Seven have inspired all of us, and how, through art and music, we continue to keep their spirit alive.