Chemainus, Life-Size Art near Victoria

Location and History

Trans Canadian Highway 1A, outside of Victoria, British Columbia travels north along the coast. Views of the San Juan Islands make an enjoyable one hour drive to Chamainus. But the main attraction in the small seaside town is the thirty plus murals painted on the downtown walls. Each mural features a scene of everyday life. Like a 3-dimensional history tour, bold and colorful paintings document early Canadian settlers and scenery.

Diverse backgrounds (native tribes, Chinese and European) created a cultural mix as the town evolved and are depicted in the paintings. Both professional Canadian and international artists were to commissioned to paint and completed the murals that on a smaller scale could hang in renowned art galleries. Not typical “street art”, the displays are organized and informative.

The town of Chamainus changed focus in the 1980’s when the lumber mill industry declined. An enterprising resident, Karl Schutz, believed that refocusing on tourism could help the local economy. Today, the murals draw visitors and guest amenities, shops, dining and accommodations complete the new tourist trade.

Sightseeing in Chamainus

Follow the yellow footprints and a self-guided walking tour takes you past most of the murals. In the Old Town, art galleries, pottery shops, hand blown glass and custom jewelry work can be found. The European style Utopia Bakery creates delectable pastries, breads, sandwiches and coffee. At the Water Wheel Park, you can enjoy a picnic lunch and learn more history about the early sawmills. Or on a cool day, cafes and small restaurants line the downtown block.

Victorian era cottages trimmed in soft pastels add more color to the village. Several peaceful B&B’s, some with oceanfront balconies and gardens, offer a relaxing overnight place to stay. The natural seaside scenery alone would be reason enough to visit, a perfect walking town with interesting sights in all directions.

The combination of ocean views, snow tipped mountains and lush forests make Chamainus a British Columbian paradise. Outside of town, the protected forest reserve areas offer numerous hiking trails. To see the town and the surrounding area, Chemainus Tours depart from Victoria and include sightseeing in the scenic Cowichen Valley.

Mr. Schutz envisioned his town as a place where visitors could learn about the past. Rather than a visit to another museum, walking through Chamainus and viewing larger than life size paintings is a unique and pleasurable way to learn about what life was like in early Canadian times.

Mural at Post Office

Arriving Ship

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