Chemainus Mural – Call for Artists

BC Heritage Sites • May 13, 2024

Chemainus Festival of Murals Society

Confidential Call for Artists – Japanese Canadian Legacies Project

Project description This unique and unnamed installation contains a mural plus other elements. It will join other murals or installations in our Outdoor Art Gallery. Artists should submit an original design of the mural for consideration.

Mural Details The mural, celebrating and honouring the Japanese Canadian community in Chemainus, featuring a montage of three historical photographs, is to be designed by the artist and painted in colour. Photos are provided below with one image showing two orientations. The mural is to be painted on four 4’ wide by 8’ tall (16’ in length) marine lumber panels in the artist’s studio. The panels will have a locking system built into them so the artist can join them together for the painting process. Preparation of the panels, including filling any voids, prior to painting the mural, is also the responsibility of the chosen artist who will also supply the paint and all materials required to complete the mural. The Society will transport the panels to the artist’s location, then back to Chemainus after completion. Artists should have their own insurance.

Eligibility Japanese Canadian artists on Vancouver Island and from Kamloops south on the mainland.

Quote Artists should provide a quote for the mural.

Selection Process Interested candidates must submit an initial detailed sketch to the email noted below by June 2, 2024. Final selection will be made by the Board of Directors of the Society on recommendation from the Steering Committee, by June 6, 2024. The successful candidate will be notified as soon as possible. Please note: the mural is to be completed for pick-up prior to installation in the second week of August 2026.

Contact For additional information, please contact the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society at info@muraltown.com.

Suggested reference material: Please see www.muraltown.com for details on our mural program and to view other murals in the Historical, Emily Carr and Community Mural Series.

Call for Artists – Photos and explanations

The mural is to be painted in colour

This photo shows three men with their tools of the trade.

Two are on springboards.

These two photos show the hall. Please use the first photo of the building with the angled orientation for the mural but eliminate the people, the Diamond Jubilee sign at the front, and the structure off the street in front of the fence. Then add some students and teachers from the second photo which shows the Chemainus Language School students and teachers. Use your discretion as to how many to include.

This photo shows the sizeable Japanese Canadian fishing fleet in Chemainus Harbour.


Japanese Canadian Legacies are initiatives that honour our elders past and present. We are grateful to be doing this work on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples.