Chemainus, BC, where history is art

September 2005

What can a small town do when its long-time principal employer folds, leaving hundreds out of work? When that happened in Chemainus they didn't despair: instead they made the most of their creative spirit and excellent climate. In a short time they turned disaster into triumph, and became "The little town that did".

Established in the mid-1800s as a logging settlement and port, Chemainus is a town of about 4,500 in the Cowichan Valley of Vancouver Island, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Victoria. It is ... (more)

location of Chemainus
It is easily accessible by car or bus from either Victoria or Nanaimo along a...

view from Mount Malahat lookout
This lookout is at the highest point on the scenic drive northward from...

Native heritage (1983)
P. Ygartua, Vancouver, artist. This 50' x 20' mural honours...

Three generations (1985)
S. Clark, artist. These three larger-than-life statues represent three...

arrival of HMS Forward (1984)
H. Heine, Victoria, artist. This 32' x 8.5' mural depicts one...

Dock scene from collage (1982)
F. Lewis, N. Lagana, P. Marcano, Victoria, artists. This is part of a...

more from 33 metre mural
Logging train #21, built in Pennsylvania, discharges its cargo.

'Steam Donkey' at work (1982)
Lewis and Lagana, Victoria, artists. This 27' x 10' work was...

Logging with oxen (1983)
H. Lyon, Arizona, artist. 60' x 12'. Before the steam donkey's...

water wheel and sluice
This is a three-dimensional montage in Waterwheel Park.

road construction camp (1983)
D. White, of Nassau, Bahamas, artist. This was based on old photos, and shows...

Billy Thomas, 1874-1976
Painted in 1984 by S. Clark, Chemainus. Billy Thomas, a local icon, was the...

Memories of a Chinese Boy (1996)
A. Cheng, Vancouver, artist, one of China's foremost artists. He...

Chemainus in 1891
This 54' x 12' mural was painted in 1983 by D. Maclagan, of...

The telephone company (1992)
C. MacDonald, of Chemainus, painted this mural. It is a reproduiction of the...

Letters from the front (2002)
D. Goatley, Victoria, artist. This shows stamps, battle equipment and scenes,...

article published 09/11/2005

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A Very Innovative!
Hi Fred, as always you have a keen eye for observation from the life of our cities. This is excellent idea and at the same time very innovative! You are right that this place become interesting tourist destination. Greetings, Rafal
— Rafal K Komierowski, October 11, 2005

Great Job!
You've done a great job again, Fred. Thanks, from a "Chemainiite". Lea
— Lea Horbaty, September 20, 2005

Very Unique!
Thanks, Fred, for a very interesting article and photos. It's amazing what can be done!
— Barbara, September 15, 2005

to Nanci
and any others wondering about how they keep them in top condition. They have professionals check them and touch them up as required annually.
— Fred Perry, September 13, 2005

A toast to creativity
That was most excellent Fred. It was interesting to learn how the muralled city came to be. It must be amazing to see them first hand. The work appears to be top quality. What I'm wondering is how they maintain the paintings with all the rain etc. They would sure peel off quickly in Ontario. Informative commentary, great pictures. Thanks for sharing. Nanci Phelan
— Nanci Phelan, September 13, 2005

Wow Fred,
These are great, with excellent information in the captions & in the intro. You saw way more murals than we did. Isn't Chemainus a wonderful place? Highly recommended stop for anyone visiting the island ;o)
— Lorraine Brecht, September 11, 2005

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