Chemainus

The Little Town That Did — famous for its extraordinary outdoor murals and vibrant arts community.

Chemainus is a small town on the east coast of Vancouver Island, about 80 kilometres north of Victoria, that transformed itself from a dying mill town into one of BC's most visited arts destinations through the power of public murals. When the local sawmill closed in 1983, the community commissioned a series of large-scale outdoor murals depicting the history of the region — and the response was so overwhelming that Chemainus became a model for community revitalization through public art that has been studied and replicated around the world. Today the town has over 40 giant murals painted on buildings throughout the downtown core, depicting scenes from Indigenous history, the logging era, the Chinese railway workers who built the CPR, and the everyday life of the community through the decades. Walking the mural tour is a genuinely moving experience — the quality of the artwork is exceptional, and the stories told are rich and often surprising. Beyond the murals, Chemainus has a thriving arts community with galleries, studios, and the Chemainus Theatre Festival, which presents professional theatre productions in a purpose-built venue from spring through fall. The town's heritage buildings, boutique shops, and excellent restaurants make it a pleasant place to spend a day or two. The waterfront at Chemainus looks out over Horseshoe Bay and the Gulf Islands, and the ferry to Thetis and Kuper Islands departs from the nearby Chemainus ferry terminal. The surrounding area offers hiking, cycling, and access to the Trans Canada Trail.