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Statues and Monuments

'Our Emily'
Emily Carr Statue

Victoria, British Columbia

 
 
Emily Carr Statue
The Emily Carr statue (Copyright M. Forster)

This bronze statue honors the renowned Canadian artist Emily Carr, ensuring that Victoria's famous citizen is commemorated in her hometown. The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Victoria commissioned the statue. The gifted sculptor Barbara Paterson, who created the impressive Famous 5 Monuments in Calgary and Ottawa, developed this significant monument.

Emily Carr Statue
Emily Carr statue
(Copyright Merna Forster)
The monument features a seated Emily Carr with her sketchpad. Emily's Javanese monkey 'Woo' perches on her shoulder and her dog 'Billie' stands nearby. The statue was erected along Victoria's Harbourfront on the grounds of the Fairmount Empress Hotel. It is fitting that the 'Our Emily' statue was unveiled during Women's History Month in Canada, on October 13th, 2010.

Former broadcaster Vicki Gabereau was the MC for the event, with Chief Andy Thomas (Esquimalt Nation) and Chief Robert Sam (Songhees Nation) welcoming the audience. Hundreds of people attended the celebrations, cheering with approval as the 2.1 metre-tall sculpture of Emily Carr was unveiled. The sun shone as Emily fans snapped photos of Barbara Patterson and the statue, ate cake prepared by the Fairmount Empress and listened to the Garden City Chorus and Reynolds School Band. Three actresses depicting Emily Carr mingled with the crowd, as Girl Guides distributed Rogers Chocolates.

A dedicated group of volunteers for the Parks and Recreation Committee of Victoria, including the Emily Carr Statue Committe, raised more than $400,00 to complete the project. Three young girls - twins Chloe and Macy Richards, and Alexandrea Delos Reyes - who helped with fundraising had the honor of unveiling a bronze book that recognizes major contributors to the project.

Empress Hotel
Fairmont Empress Hotel (Copyright Merna Forster)

Funding for the Emily Carr Statue

Patron Level:
Shaw Communications

Partner Level:
Audain Foundation for The Visual Arts
The Fairmont Empress Hotel, Victoria, BC
Frank and Elizabeth Garnett and Family
Times Colonist

Sponsor Level:
Clarice Evans
Rogers Communications Inc.
Government of Canada
Province of BC

Supporter Level:
Victoria Foundation
The N. Murray Edwards Charitable Foundation (Calgary)
Enbridge Inc. (Calgary)
Robert and Jane Rogers Fund through the Victoria Foundation
W. Garfield Weston Foundation (Toronto)
John C. Kerr Family Foundation (Vancouver)
Paul Hadfield, Spinnakers, portion of sales sales from Our Emily Summer Ale

Other:
Donation of piece of artwork by Pat Martin Bates
Local artists and musicians who contributed to art sale fundraiser
Numerous public donations



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