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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Mon, Jul 13, 2026
her exhibitions
Tate Gallery’s A Century of Canadian Art was one of the most important international exhibitions in the history of Canadian art. Organized by Canada’s National Gallery and opening at London in October 1938, it was the first comprehensive historical survey of Canadian art ever shown overseas. It introduced British audiences to the breadth of Canadian artistic achievement, from early colonial portraiture and religious carving to modern landscape painting by the Group of Seven and Emily Carr. T...
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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.
Beginning at the covered patio of For Good Measure (579 Niagara Street), a block away from our first stop, we'll explore the places where one of Canada's most celebrated artists lived, worked, and found inspiration.
We'll visit 12 locations on the walk, including Carr House National Historic Site, where Emily was born in 1871, and discover how her family, friendships, and the city itself shaped her remarkable life. Stroll past heritage homes, the residences of her sisters, and the site of the apartment building she designed and managed, later immortalized in her bestselling memoir, The House of All Sorts.
The tour continues through Beacon Hill Park to one of Emily's favourite sketching spots and across the footbridge dedicated in her honour. Along the way, you'll hear stories of the Cridge family, Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken, Emily's beloved monkey Woo, and the famous 1930 "Fresh Seeing" speech that marked a turning point in her artistic career.
After a short break at Museum Plaza, we'll visit the Emily Carr statue beside the Fairmont Empress, the site of her father's provisions store and later for a time the first Emily Carr Gallery in Victoria. The last stop on our adventure, before we return to where we started, is at the historic building where Emily spent the final days of her life and, some say, she continues to haunt.
Blending art, local history, biography, and storytelling, this walk offers a fascinating introduction to Emily Carr and the Victoria that inspired her.
Whether you're a longtime admirer or discovering her for the first time, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation of the artist, her city, and her enduring legacy.
Come discover the city through Emily's eyes and experience a side of Victoria that most visitors never see.
Reserve your spot today!
PS - For an even richer experience, consider taking a tour of the interior of Carr House before or after the walk during their open hours,
Upcoming Walks
Friday, July 17
3 - 5 pm
Saturday, July 18
10 - Noon
Wednesday, July 19
3 - 5 pm
Wednesday, July 22
10 am - Noon
hosted, designed & maintained by Marilyn Jones for the Emily Carr courses, presentations, talks & walks she offers in person and online from Victoria, BC.
