Pick a slogan: Chemainus, Canada’s Mural Capital; The Little Town That Did; or Art This Bold Won’t Stay Indoors!
These trademarked slogans, created by the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society over the years, were all attempts to entice tourists to visit our seaside town, and maybe spend a buck or two.
So far, so good, as the Chemainus Visitor Centre reports that upwards of 55,000 visitors and more than 1,000 tour buses were welcomed in 2018.
Established in January 1987 after six years as a project of the Municipality of North Cowichan, the murals society is a registered non-profit organization directed by an elected board of directors.
The purpose of the society is, according to the constitution: “To educate and increase the public’s understanding and appreciation of the arts by maintaining and updating the existing murals and creating new murals located in the Chemainus Valley and by providing educational materials…”
The society strives to live up to that mandate and since has added 14 murals and pieces of art to the original 40 murals depicting the history of the Chemainus Valley.
The current hard-working board consists of nine volunteers as well as North Cowichan Councillor Kate Marsh, who represents the municipality. The members are an interesting group, who bring much public and private experience to the table.
President Tom Andrews arrived here in 2006, after a management career at Canadian Pacific. Locally, he has been in real estate sales, is extremely active in the local Rotary Club, has held various positions in the Chemainus Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Chemainus Arts Team Committee. When not volunteering, he is an avid traveller and plays golf at Mount Brenton.
After a long career in public service in Saskatchewan, vice-president Shannon Bellamy has been a board member since 2007. She is very active in the community as a member of the society, the Rotary Club of Chemainus and the Cedar Ridge Strata Council. She is the board’s ‘detail’ expert who maintains the constitution, bylaws and documentation.
Ellen Lavender is the society’s secretary. She keeps board members on track with her excellent minute taking. Ellen is active in the Chemainus Legion, the Rotary Club of Chemainus, and also volunteers at the visitor centre. She was named Chemainus Volunteer of the Year in 2018.
Treasurer Doreen Zielke settled here after a 35-year career in government and corporate finance and accounting in Saskatchewan. Travelling, working out, and golf keep her occupied when not managing the Society’s financial obligations, applying for grants, updating our five-year plan for maintenance and restoration and handling merchandise sales.
Lori Frankson heads the Chemainus Chamber of Commerce and is responsible for the visitor centre. She has been a board member for two years.
Marlie Kelsey has been a board member for three years and is an effective planner of society events, using her experience as a volunteer at the Chemainus Chamber of Commerce, Chemainus Ambassador Program and work with the Chemainus Theatre Festival.
Cordell Ensign adds business expertise and connections to the board, having sold real estate for 43 years. A Rotarian, Ensign has lived in Chemainus for 28 years and joined the society three years ago.
Art Carlyle ‘retired’ here in 2011. A successful business owner and active Rotarian, his interest in art and photography led him to join the society in 2013. He has been involved with the reconstruction of the two murals from the old fire hall and oh yes, the yellow footprints.
Retired newspaperman Peter Collum, on the board since 2013 handles the society’s media and public relations responsibilities. He is also a member of the Chemainus Arts Team Committee.
Mark your calendars: the Society’s annual general meeting takes place at the Best Western Chemainus on April 25, at 7 p.m.
The Chemainus Festival of Murals Society celebrates its second World Labyrinth Day event – Walking as One at 1 (p.m.) on May 4, at the Chemainus Labyrinth in Waterwheel Park.