Many people have asked about the large, beautiful old painted sawblades on display at the land lab, wondering about the story behind them. These striking pieces are the work of Dryden artist Tanya McArthur, a frequent performer and exhibitor in our community, as well as one of our collective’s founding members.

Tanya has a remarkable talent for transforming rugged, industrial relics into narrative canvases. In her hands, the sharp, jagged edge of an old mill saw becomes the perfect frame for a nostalgic countryside scene—capturing a horse-drawn buggy on a dirt path, flanked by a rustic red barn and autumn-toned trees. It’s a beautiful juxtaposition, balancing the cold history of salvaged steel with the warmth of rural life.

Her ability to breathe new life into these forgotten tools speaks directly to the creative, resourceful spirit of Northwestern Ontario. Blending local history with fine artistry, Tanya’s pieces do much more than just decorate the walls; they deeply connect the land lab to the heritage of our region.