Mary Evelyn Wrinch (b. 1877 Kirby-le-Soken, d. 1969 Toronto) was an England-born Toronto artist, known for her miniature watercolours, colour block prints and oil paintings. She trained as a professional artist from a young age in Toronto under such influences as Laura Muntz and George Reid, and studied miniature painting in both London and New York. She was an active member of the early artist community at Wychwood Park, making her home at Upland Cottage until the end of her life. She became the second wife of G.A. Reid in 1922. In addition to other artists’ societies, she was the first woman to be elected to the executive of the Ontario Society of Artists in 1924. Wrinch taught art lessons at Bishop Strachan School for over 30 years and was an influence to many in Toronto and beyond.
Wrinch is an overlooked artist whose contribution to Canadian art deserves better recognition. Working at a time when it was difficult for women to make a living as artists, Wrinch eschewed diminishing expectations of women’s roles and proved that it was, indeed, possible to pursue art as a woman. She was particularly influential in the landscape genre, painting en plein air in northern regions a decade ahead of the Group of Seven.
