Emily Carr, born in 1871 in Victoria, British Columbia, was a pioneering Canadian artist and writer whose deep connection to her hometown shaped much of her life and work. Raised in a strict English household on Government Street, she grew up exploring the nearby forests and seashores—early influences that would later define her art.
After studying in San Francisco, England, and France, Carr returned to Victoria where she struggled for recognition, living for many years at the “House of All Sorts,” a boarding house she ran to support herself. Though she often felt stifled by the conservative culture of Victoria, it remained her lifelong base and the emotional core of her identity. From this coastal city, she launched painting trips into Indigenous villages and remote landscapes, returning with canvases that challenged artistic norms. In her final years, Victoria embraced her legacy, and it is here she died in 1945, now celebrated as a Canadian icon.
The Forest Through the Eyes of Emily Carr
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Sat, Jul 25, 2026
her circle
Nan Lawson Cheney (1897–1985) was one of Emily Carr’s closest friends, trusted correspondents, and earliest champions. Although she is less well known than Lawren Harris, Ira Dilworth, or Mark Tobey, Cheney played a significant role in promoting Carr’s work, organizing her annual solo exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery from 1937 – 1941, and preserving her legacy through their friendship, extensive correspondence, and later publications.
Read more: Nan Cheney: Emily Carr’s Trusted Fri...newsletter archives
Step into the world of Emily Carr in this issue of Emily Carr Chronicles. Explore how Seattle artist Mark Tobey influenced Emily Carr's artistic vision, read her moving reflections on an Indigenous burial ground, and celebrate the legacy of renowned Carr scholar Kerry Mason. Plus, catch up on current Emily Carr exhibitions across Canada and uncover the remarkable story behind the 2013 auction of Carr's portrait of her lifelong friend, Squamish basket weaver Sophie Frank.
May 2026
June 2026
March 2026
April 2026
January 2026
February 2026
Emily Carr Chronicles Guided Walks
Step into the world of Emily Carr on this engaging two-hour guided walk through historic James Bay, Victoria's oldest neighbourhood. We'll explore the places where one of Canada's most celebrated artists lived, worked, and found inspiration. If you appreciate art, local history, biography and storytelling you will not want to miss this walk.
hosted, designed & maintained by Marilyn Jones for the Emily Carr courses, presentations, talks & walks she offers in person and online from Victoria, BC.
