This is our on-line media kit and articles for your use or guidance.
You may most likely find all the details you need via this website and these pages.
We would also be pleased to send you a media kit including a DVD of our history with these
print media articles mentioned and linked below.
Please also see www.tourismchemainus.com
Email your complete mailing address to:
The Festival of Murals Society
Lou Roelofsen
9573 Chemainus Road
Chemainus BC
V0R1K5
TV commercial link. Silent BC Ferry advertising link.
Note: Please also see under mural 41 an in progress media article
This also re mural 41
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New Historic Mural Underway in Famed Vancouver Island Town
Painting has begun on a joint venture to create a new historic mural between the Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre Society and the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
Officially designated Mural #41, this newest addition to the over 40 murals, carvings and sculptures distinguishing the picturesque and vibrant town of Chemainus is well underway with the first of 5 segments already started.
The 5-segment mural includes a 60 foot by 18 foot north wall as the main scene - set in the late 1800’s - of an outdoor Chemainus town gathering, with Mount Brenton in the background. The remaining 4 segments will decorate the south wall and three places on the eastern wall of the Seniors Drop-In Centre on Willow Street in Chemainus. Each will feature scenes of townspeople heading toward the event depicted on the northern wall.
“It is very exciting to see this new mural project completed this summer and in these difficult economic times,” said Dr Karl Schutz, the originator of the mural project. “It was a joy assisting with this project on behalf of the Festival of Murals and the project sponsor”. Karl mentioned this was only the second mural for which an artist had fully donated the time to paint the mural.
Artist, Lurene Haines, began work on the southern wall on August 30 and despite rainy weather, the work is moving forward steadily. “I’m committed to evenings, weekends and holidays to accommodate my regular work schedule,” the artist said, “I want to try and get as much work completed before the winter weather hits.”
Haines started with the southern wall which faces the Senior Drop-In Centre’s parking lot and Water Wheel Park. “There is a Tour de Rock Breakfast and reception for the Cops for Cancer bike ride at the end of the month. I’d really like to have as much of this segment done as possible for that event. It would make a great backdrop for such an important event.”
A blog, Flickr photo page and YouTube channel have been created to document the progress of the mural. In addition, the artist is on Twitter doing regular updates on the mural.
For more information on the Festival of Murals and Mural #41, please contact:
Murray Schafer, Chemainus Seniors Drop-In Centre Coordinator - 250-246-9968
Lou Roelofsen, President, Chemainus Festival of Murals Society - 250-246-4181
Dr. Karl Schutz, Founder, Chemainus Festival of Murals Society - 250-246-6602
To follow the progress of the mural please visit:
http://mural41.wordpress.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mural41/
http://www.youtube.com/chemainusmural41
http://twitter.com/mural41
The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society is a non-profit, volunteer organization formed in 1981 by resident and businessman Karl Schutz, a group of volunteers, and the committed support of then mayor Graham Bruce, and the municipal council, to revitalize the town Chemainus following economic hardship. The vision of a town filled with creative and historical murals led to winning the prestigious New York Downtown Revitalization Award in 1983. Chemainus has since gained world-wide acclaim for the integrity and superb artistry of its huge depictions of the town's history with 41 outdoor murals plus carvings and statues. For more information on the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society visithttp://www.muraltown.com/
The Chemainus Seniors' Drop-In Centre, started in 1980 in a small rented building and today is housed in an 8750 sq ft building owned by the members. The CSDC is a vibrant non-denominational centre with over 500 members, and offers a wide variety of programs, activities and classes as well as special events and community activities. Membership is open to any seniors 55 years+ -- or to associate members with a spouse of 55 years+ -- and costs only $15 a year per person. The Chemainus Seniors' Drop-In Centre is run by the members and encourages active participation. For more information on the Chemainus Seniors' Drop-In Centre visithttp://www.chemainusseniors.ca
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THE VISION ALWAYS COMES FIRST
Over the past 25 years the quaint and charming town of Chemainus has attracted millions of visitors from all over the world to the region, as well as the Island and beyond. …and the attraction continues.
Come and rediscover Chemainus if you have shopped, stopped or stayed here before.
We continue to be “The Little Town That Did”, the town that dared to dream; the town that created and is still actively focussed on creating a vibrant tourism economy. This all came about because of the vision and drive of residents who were and still are dedicated and passionate about Chemainus, who simply love the lifestyle and the community.
We now have:
- 41 historic murals and additional sculptures
- Many interesting shops and arts-focussed groups and individuals
- Year round live professional theatre with an optional dining experience
- A key dive site for the region
- A four star suite hotel destination
- An outstanding golf course
- A steadily growing residential base
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World’s first; the first outdoor Emily Carr Trompe L’oeil mural.
The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society in partnership with Emily Carr House in Victoria unveiled this mural fall 2008, located on the Chemainus Road side of the Chemainus Theatre Festival building.
The Festival of Murals Society, the Chamber of Commerce, local merchants and local Chemainiacs welcome you and invite you to rediscover our town, our new and old boutique shops and see the new Trompe L’oeil mural. We know you will be impressed and amazed.
Plans for the near future include more Emily Carr murals.
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"2009 the Year of more action and growth"
Currently in planning stage:
October 31: Free standing Long House Mural by Carey Newman will be unveiled, this will be Emily Carr series # 2 mural.
October 31: The Chemainus Emily Carr Embassy will be unveiled.
Business owners; consider locating your specialty store or store front Island business in Chemainus, consider becoming part of this unique community.
For a friendly welcome, a taste of local culture, a restful and homelike atmosphere, visit Chemainus. Nestled in the stunning and beautiful Chemainus Valley, only one hour north of Victoria, or a Ferry ride from Vancouver, the town is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Experience and explore the true meaning of ‘quaint village’, stay overnight at the local Festival Inn or at a local B&B, and share our warm welcome, genuine smiles and great stories about our community. See our new shops or revisit our long time businesses.
Chemainus is home to a large community of artists, entertainers and crafts persons linked with local world-class live professional theatre. We celebrate this culture by delivering a one-of-a-kind experience consistent with the spirit of Chemainus.
Stop by the Chamber of Commerce office; they are always happy to make recommendations regarding various historic or scenic sites for your enjoyment.
Indulge in outstanding food, drink and service at local restaurants.
Our visitors and guests have, for over twenty-five years, enjoyed the richness of a community made vibrant through the individuals who live and work here.
We look forward to having you as our guest whether it is your first or tenth visit!
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Link here to several sample articles.
2009 Media release:
To celebrate the 150 birthday of BC, the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society during 2008 announced a new visionary “Emily Carr” mural program, unveiling a Million dollar outdoor art Gallery vision of Emily Carr and her art.
After 15 years, the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society, as well as the Municipality of North Cowichan and the Chemainus Theatre Festival, approved a mural on the west wall of the Chemainus Theatre Festival.
The theatre building had the honor of being the very first structure to receive a prestigious mural belonging to the new Emily Carr series. This is a world first Emily Carr trompe l'oeil mural (fools the eye) in Chemainus, is another milestone for the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society.
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The first mural in the ‘Emily Carr series’ was unveiled on October 15 2008, it was introduced by international famous master artist Steffen Jünemann. Those that have seen who have seen the mural, call it stunning, most incredible, fascinating, amazing, WOW.
Steffen spent more than 2000 hr. painting the Trompe L'oeil mural. He used 2.5 km of blue tape to mask for shadows and special effects.
Every leaf on the arbutus tree is different, there are no two leaves the same, this mural is a must see and truly a master piece of world wide significance. In addition being a new technique, which is also another first in Canada. The artwork being painted on 'Evolon' in the studio (Germany) than glued to the wall and than finished with precision and detailed, brings with it a number of new challenges. Evolon is a revolutionary Microfilament, a new generation of non woven acrylic microfiber. While Steffen Jünemann used this product in USA, he is the first artist in Germany to pioneer this new technical wonder.
The Emily Carr series of murals are developed under the Distinguished Patronage of The Honourable Steven L. Point Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
Emily Carr 1871 – 1945 who spent most of here life in Victoria is the most famous women artist in all of North America and a beloved Canadian icon. Some of here work sold for over a million dollar. In 1924, Carr visited the Chemainus Valley and painted Chemainus Bay.
The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society firmly believes that the Emily Carr mural project will, in time, change the demographics of the Chemainus visitor. Every individual who was educated in a North American university knows about Emily Carr. Many books have been written about her and she, herself, wrote a number of books. One of British Columbia’s oldest post-secondary institutions and one of the world's leading arts institutions, is the Emily Carr University of Art + Design which was founded in 1925. As the most famous female artist of her time and a Canadian icon today, she has admirers in every country, all potential visitors to Chemainus.
The Festival of Murals society is looking forward to rewarding, international publicity campaign in conjunction with the Emily Carr outdoor art gallery in Chemainus.
For more Information please contact.
FOM Chair: Lou Roelofsen 246 4181 info@muraltown.com
Founder & project coordinator: Dr. Karl Schutz: drkarl@kschutz.com 250.246.4911
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Details on Emily Carr:
Emily Carr was born on December 13, 1871 in Victoria, BC. She was the eighth of nine children. Her parents died when she was in her early teens. Emily, who began drawing lessons at the age of eight, asked her financial guardian for permission and monetary support to attend art school in San Francisco, at the California School of Design. She moved to San Francisco in 1890 and resided there for three years. She also studied in London and in the English countryside, for five years, under many different teachers. Then, after a brief period of teaching children and the Ladies Art Club classes in Vancouver, Emily traveled to France in 1910 to study under Harry Gibb and Douglas Ferguson.
Carr’s work was not well received when she returned from her studies in France. Financial considerations forced her to find means, other than painting, to supplement her income. During the years 1914-1926, Emily was a landlady. She also sold hens, rabbits, fruit and pottery, and bred English bobtail sheepdogs. Her strong bond with the animal world was evident in a life full of many different sorts of animals, including a monkey named Woo, cats, rats, birds and many dogs of various breeds.
Emily had a reverence and fascination for the First Nations of the British Columbia coast. During her visit to the Ucluelet Indian Reserve on Vancouver Island in 1898, the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people gave her the name "Klee Wyck," which means "laughing one." She once said, "Indian people and their art touched me deeply" (Carr, Growing Pains, p. 211). Her work reflected her interest in First Nations culture, as well as the forest landscapes and skies of the British Columbia coast.
In 1924, Carr visited the Chemainus Valley and painted Chemainus Bay, 1924-25, which is now part of Calgary’s Glenbow Museum collection.
Emily was deeply moved by the work of the Group of Seven, which was similar to her own in its vivid interpretations of wilderness landscape. In 1927, at an exhibition in Ottawa, she met Lawren Harris, a person with whom she would begin a lifelong friendship. Carr admired Lawren Harris' work and he encouraged her and gave her confidence throughout the later part of her painting career.
Although she was never officially a member of the Group of Seven, Carr became a charter member of the Canadian Group of Painters, an organization that came together in 1932, after the Group of Seven disbanded. Her work became more valued in the years following her membership into this society of artists. She was given her first solo exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1938, at the age of 67.
Emily's writing career bloomed later in her life, as her health failed. She began writing at the age of 70. She was in the hospital, after her second heart attack, and writing was a way of passing the time. Her first book Klee Wyck, was an instant success and won the Governor General's Literary Award. The Book of Small, her second novel, was named Canadian Book of the Year in 1942. Growing Pains, her acclaimed autobiography, was completed just before her death.
After many years of heart problems, Emily Carr died on March 3, 1945 at St. Mary's Priory, a Victoria nursing home. Three days before her death, she was overjoyed to receive the news that the University of British Columbia planned to honour her with a Doctor of Letters degree at its May 1945 convocation. Carr's paintings and writings fill galleries and libraries across Canada, and she will always be remembered as one of Canada's most talented artists.
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Videos on Chemainus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SwBsBwjXBw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrk4189tGNI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPVT-jgp18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3H5U5CkQ6M
http://www.creativedigiworks.com/media/new_twist.swf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcss40MbfVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpU50i4WBK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYRkQf5HFc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grHV7YOgzRI
Thank you for helping us market the destination Chemainus!