Yes, I am the Artist in Residence. No, I don't actually live in the Fairmont Empress hotel. But I do spend a lot of time there.
The general manager who initiated the program, Martin Leclerc, is married to an artist, Annie Pelletier. Therefore, he knew that the presence of a working artist would add creativity and interaction to the hotel's ambiance.
Leclerc also saw this as a valuable gambit in his play to make The Empress more open to the community in which it is moored like a stationary ocean liner.
This coincided with Artishow, a project by which Barb Adams and Kerry Liggins arranged for artists to form partnerships with other major Victoria hotels and to participate in "paint-ins" every Sunday afternoon. Leclerc supported Artishow, but took the project further, inviting the chosen artists to work with more than 500 employees of The Empress on a more engaged and long-term basis. My residency is scheduled daily, Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until March 31.
The first artist to take up the position was portrait painter David Goatley. Two years ago, he was given a splendid reception under the stained-glass dome of the elegant Palm Court and then had two months to meet guests in his own shop and studio at the hotel. It's on the mezzanine overlooking the hotel's lobby, at the top of a curving marble staircase.
Next, Nicholas Pearce took over and brought his torrid flamenco dancers to The Empress, both actually and metaphorically. One of his paintings remains as a memorable addition to the special lounge called the Gold Room, where the painting's gold leaf background is fitting.
Judy McLaren has, so far, had the strongest effect at the hotel.
Though new to the constant public exposure the position entails, she found the presence of her friendly dog, Bubbles, broke down any barriers. As winter came on and the tourists faded away, McLaren explored the inner reaches of this huge "city within a city" and created striking and detailed paintings of the staff at work in the kitchen, making beds and serving tea in the time-honoured Empress tradition.
By popular demand, McLaren extended her stay to nine months, confirming Leclerc's idea that the hotel is a subject worthy of a lengthy and patient exploration.
He understood that it benefits not only the visitors but also provides positive and ongoing interest for the staff, who see their world interpreted by an artist.
McLaren was succeeded by Manon Elder, at that point basking in the afterglow of her exhibition at the Royal British Columbia Museum, in which she was paired with Emily Carr. Elder's large paintings of motorcycles may have surprised the tourists in this stately establishment, but while there, she developed a new series, painting huge roses inlaid with sheets of gold foil. She told me that the people who stopped by her studio brought insight and inspiration every day, as well as sales far and wide.
When I was asked to take on the role, Leclerc and his wife Annie met my wife and me in our studio to discuss the details.
Clearly, he expected a serious time commitment from me. Soon after, he led me on a 1 1/2-hour tour behind the scenes at the hotel, from the sub-basement to the attic. He wanted me to understand that "the heart of the hotel" was open to me, and he instructed his staff to get to know me and offer any help they could.
The first two months have been a rush of activity. Symphony Splash, dragon boat races and the classic boat festival have given me lots of subject matter and brought hordes of visitors. I set up my easel on the mezzanine, which is washed by huge amounts of indirect natural light.
Admittedly, painting sales are few, but my books and prints attract passersby. Would-be artists drop by for some inspiration and, despite the distraction, I find I am remarkably productive.
As the tourist season fades I plan to set up a larger studio in my gallery and paint a large rooftop view of the Inner Harbour. We've discussed a lecture series and perhaps some watercolour workshops for the winter. The potential is huge.
I owe this position to the foresight and vision of Martin Leclerc, and hope it will continue. Meanwhile, Leclerc and his family have moved to Nanjing, China, where he is creating a new Fairmont Hotel. I expect he'll start an Artist in Residence program there, too.
You can contact Robert Amos at the Fairmont Empress at 250-389-2731.
