You can help build a statue of the renowned Canadian artist Emily Carr by making a donation to the 'Our Emily' project. The initiative will ensure that Victoria's famous citizen is commemorated with a statue. The gifted sculptor Barbara Paterson, who created the impressive Famous 5 Monuments in Calgary and Ottawa, has finished a bronze model of the proposed statue. Barbara prepared the maquette at the suggestion of Jan Ross, curator at the Emily Carr House in Victoria.

As Barbara Paterson explained to heroines.ca, the statue "will be 1.25 lifesize of Emily Carr seated on a rock (bronze) with a sketchpad on her lap. She has her monkey 'Woo' on her shoulder and her dog 'Billie' at her side. I have suggested, to add to the interaction of Emily and the viewer, that several large rocks be placed around the site."

Once sufficient funds are raised to complete the Emily Carr statue, it will be erected along Victoria's Harbourfront.

Status of the 'Our Emily' Project


Emily Carr, as portrayed by actress Molly
Raher Newman (Copyright M. Forster)

The "Emily Carr Statue Fund" was created in May 2004 by the Victoria Parks & Recreation Foundation. In April 2008 the Province of British Columbia contributed $15,000 to the fund and many donations have been received. Creation of the statue has begun, but funds are still needed to complete the project. You can help!

Empress Supports Project

Fairmont Empress Hotel (Copyright Merna Forster)

Roger Soane, General Manager of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, has confirmed that the completed statue will be erected on the lawn of this famous hotel, at the corner of Belleville and Government streets. On August 19, 2008 the Fairmont Empress Hotel, now a founding partner in the initiative, hosted a special event to dedicate the site and launch a fundraising campaign to complete the project. The Times Colonist newspaper, represented by Peter Baillie, has also joined the partnership and will publicize the Emily Carr statue project. Sculptor Barbara Paterson, who will create the statue in her Edmonton studio, came to Victoria to participate in the site dedication. Following the presentations and ceremony on the grounds of the Empress, guests enjoyed refreshments and music which was provided by "Emily".

Ann Geddes welcomes guests as Emily Carr impersonator Molly
Newman looks on
(Copyright Merna Forster)


Roger Soane, Charlene Thornton-Joe with Barbara Paterson and
statue sketch (Copyright Merna Forster)


Peter Baillie with photo of Carr statue maquette
(Copyright Merna Forster)


MP Denise Savoie with Barbara Paterson
(Copyright Merna Forster)


Barbara Paterson with maquette
(Copyright Merna Forster)


MP Denise Savoie, Molly Newman and MLA Ida Chong
admire photo of statue maquette at the site where the
statue will be located
(Copyright Merna Forster)

Making a Donation

Maquette of the Emily Carr statue (Courtesy A. Switzer)

To contribute to the statue fund you can donate to the Parks and Recreation Foundation of Victoria. Just make out a cheque for the "Parks & Recreation Foundation of Victoria" and note you are contributing to the Emily Carr Statue Fund. Financial contributions should be sent to:

Parks & Recreation Foundation of Victoria
633 Pandora Avenue
Victoria, BC V8W 1N8
Emily Carr Statue Fund
Donors will receive tax-receipts from the VPRFS. For further information just call (250) 383-7285.

How You Can Help

If you believe it is important to commemorate great Canadian women like artist Emily Carr, please help ensure that this statue is built in recognition of her notable contributions to this country. You can make the statue a reality! What could you contribute? Please consider inviting your friends and colleagues to contribute too.