Thanks to Calgary companies and individuals who recognized the importance of artist and writer Emily Carr, a monument in her honour will be unveiled in Victoria, B.C. in one week, on October 13th. Designed by Barbara Paterson, the Edmonton sculptor who fashioned the Famous 5 on Centennial Plaza, the drive to raise $400,000 owes much to Calgarians.

“Our Emily,” as the monument is titled, will have pride of place in downtown Victoria--on the corner of Government and Belleville streets and just across from the B.C. Legislature. The site, on the grounds of the historic Empress Hotel, has been donated in perpetuity.

“Calgarians’ generous support for ‘Our Emily’ is much appreciated—especially in this time of economic restraint,” says Ann Geddes, President of the Parks and Recreation Foundation of Victoria. “This tells me that the people of Calgary recognize the importance of artists and the impact they have on the quality of life in any city, whether it is Calgary or Victoria.” The Foundation spearheaded the fund-raising drive.

Carr has been deemed Canada’s best-known, most honoured female artist, her works now fetching over the half million mark, whereas in her lifetime, she struggled to earn her living from her art. And though a late-comer to writing, she won the Governor General’s Award in 1941 for her non-fiction piece about British Columbia First Nations titled “Klee Wyck.”

Calgary’s outsized role in bringing Paterson’s sculpture of Emily to life includes:

•Shaw Communications Inc.: at the Patron level of $100,000.

Says JR Shaw, Executive Chair of Shaw Communications, "Emily Carr sought to capture the beauty and history of Canada and the province she grew up in, British Columbia. And as a Canadian company, we at Shaw are proud to join the Parks and Recreation Foundation of Victoria as we remember the art and writings of Emily Carr, a Canadian icon." The company's generosity has also resulted in the new Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney B.C., just north of Victoria.

•Frank Garnett and Elizabeth Garnett and Family: at the Partner level of $50,000. Garnett, a long-time leader in the oil-drilling business, worked for the Reading and Bates drilling company, eventually purchasing their Canadian company. He went on to found a Calgary real-estate development company with his son, Gregg. He and Elizabeth now reside in Sidney, B.C.

•Calgary actress Clarice Evans: at the Sponsor level is the last donor to the Emily Carr monument campaign and the only woman to have donated at this level. As a result, she will be the sole woman honoured on the bronze plaque, which will sit adjacent to the monument. Evans, a friend of sculptor of Paterson, served as the life model for “Our Emily”. Evans is currently appearing in Calgary Lunchbox Theatre’s production of Noel Coward’s Ways and Means. She is the recipient of the Martha and Harry Cohen Award for sustained and significant contribution to theatre in Calgary.

•Enbridge Inc.: at the Supporter level of $10,000. Says D’Arcy Levesque, Vice President, Public Affairs, “We are pleased to support the fund raising to honour Emily Carr. Her monument is something we are pleased to support."

• Media Information for Emily Carr Statue
• Biography of Emily Carr
• Biography of Sculptor Barbara Paterson
• Chronology for Life of Emily Carr
• Intro to Emily Carr Statue and Project Funding
• History of the Emily Carr Statue Project
• People Behind the Project
• Unveiling of the Emily Carr Statue