BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS  

Charles (Charlie) Alexander Ferguson

March 21 1878 -

B.C. Society of Fine Arts (Vice-President 1921)
B.C. Society of Fine Arts/B.C. Society of Artists: Exhibitor's Timeline
British Columbia Artist (B.C.A., 1921)


Charles Ferguson was born in London, England, and became an Architect. He was an early exhibitor in Vancouver. His middle initial is alternately noted as either A. or E. but his personal bookplate gives his name in full as Alexander, as does his Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force Attestation Paper.

Ferguson appears to have arrived in Vancouver in 1913, when the City Directories first listed him, as artist, home 1009 Odlum Drive. In 1914 he is listed as a member of Ferguson & Eaves, commercial artists at 641 Granville Street. Janet Eaves was his partner.

In 1915 and 1916 the Directories list him as artist, living at 2205 Gravely. He joined the No. 11 Engineer Depot in North Vancouver on October 1, 1918, and did his service in Canada. He was living with his wife Charlotte at 2205 Gravely Street, Vancouver. Prior to that he spent 26 months with the 6th Field Company of the Canadian Engineers. He was discharged from the army on September 9, 1919 with the rank of Sergeant as part of demobilization. By 1920 he is listed as "eng" or engineer in the City directory. The Directories for 1921 and 1923 list "Chas. A. Ferguson, Artist, r 2178 Grant." There is no listing for him in 1924.

Ferguson exhibited with the B.C. Society of Fine Arts from 1915 to 1924.

In 1924, a book written by Annie Dalton titled Flame and Adventure, 73 pages, was published by MacMillan Company in a hardcover edition. The book was illustrated by Charles Ferguson.

Also, per card file at Vancouver Art Gallery Library:
     Vancouver Exhibition: 1925

BC Vital Statistics on-line did not provide any confirmed information on the artist as of July 16 2023.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS
DATE EXHIBITION ARTWORK
1915 April BCSFA   Works by Members Interior
The Lost Lagoon
Gateway, Birnam
San Miguel Mission, California
Clark Drive
The Bridge
Banbury Cross
Design for Bookplate
Design for Bookplate
1916 September BCSFA - Annual Exhibition Knighthood - A Roll of Honor
Lady of the Renaissance
Le Petite Seminaire, Quebec
1920 September 18 - 25 BCSFA   Annual Exhibition Tryptich for Altar-piece
Embodying six ancient Celtic Legends
1921 Sept. 19 - 24 BCSFA   13th Annual Exhibition Monmow Bridge, Monmouth
Courtyard, Le Petit Seminaire, Quebec
Fire Screen embroidery design
1922 Sept. 16 - 23 BCSFA   14th Annual Exhibition Moonlight, Lulu Island
The Green Door
The Promenade
1923 May 12 - 19 BCSFA   15th Annual Exhibition Winter
1924 May 3 - 17 BCSFA   16th Annual Exhibition Etching, The Red Lion
Spring, Japanese Garden
Plum Blossom in Japanese Garden
1924 Aug. 9 - 16 Vancouver Exhibition   Annual Exhibition Japanese Arch
1946 July 2 - 28 VAG   Jubilee Exhibition The Lost Lagoon
1950 April 25 - May 14 BCSA   40th Annual Exhibition Ship

References

The Gold Stripe - Volume One
      1918, Christmas. Published by the Amputation Club of B.C., Vancouver
      216 pages (including text, advertisements and photographs)
      Heavily illustrated by many early Vancouver artists.
      Includes one illustrated poem by Ferguson; brief biography of Ferguson (see below).

THE FINE ARTS IN VANCOUVER, 1886 - 1930 (refer to THOM69)

CITY & PROVINCIAL DIRECTORIES 1910 to 1924 (refer to DIR)

Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force Attestation Paper
      https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B3042-S004

Clippings

"Mr. Charles E. Ferguson shows much artistic knowledge and finished craftsmanship in the three works catalogued in his name at this exhibition. They indicate long and careful study of drawing and a rare capacity for design. His "Lady of the Renaissance", a more or less conventional adaption of 14th century Italian art, he has given us an example which is a surprise to find in this far western city. His "Knighthood - A Roll of Honor," No. 61, presumably intended for the presentation of a list of names, is a noteable specimen of design and clean and accurate work while his "Le Petite Seminaire, Quebec", attracts by the admirable lighting and sense of values."
      From "With The B.C. Artists" by "A Visitor"
      Vancouver Province, September 27 1916

"Though but a small organization, numerically considered, the B.C. Society of Fine Arts has had the honor of contributing its quota of members to engage in the determined and now successful fight for freedom and civilization. It may be said that all those belonging to this artistic fraternity have helped in various ways, but those marked out for special recognition are:
     CHARLES FERGUSON. - A water-color artist of much ability and a valued member, who donned the khaki and placed his services at the disposal of his country on the first opportunity. He also is a contributor to this volume."
     From "Honor Roll - B.C. Society of Fine Arts"
     The Gold Stripe, Volume One, Christmas 1918

"Mr. Charles G. Ferguson touches a high mark in his water-color of buildings by moonlight."
      From "Local Work is on View" by Bernard McEvoy
      Vancouver Province, October 2 1919

"In the "Courtyard of Le Petit Seminaire," Mr. C.A. Ferguson has rendered a fine piece of work in stone and blue, it has atmosphere and is eloquent of the old-cloistered calm of Quebec."
      From "Pictures at B.C. Fine Arts" by J. Butterfield
      Vancouver Province, September 19 1921, page 12

"Among those whose pictures were sold were ... C.A. Ferguson ... The other exhibit of craft work was a fire screen, the mahogany frame of which was designed and made in the Burgess Beach workshops. Mr. C.A. Ferguson, B.C.A., designed the embroidery, which was sewn by his wife."
      From "By the Way in Art" per B.C. Art League
      Vancouver Province, Thursday October 6 1921, page 12

"Mr. C.A. Ferguson's "Plum Blossom in Japanese Garden" shows a pergola casting gray shadows, a delicate blue patch of sky and green trees with boughs laden with ivory-tinted plum blossoms."
      From "Exhibition of the B.C. Society of Fine Art" by Alice M. Winlow
      British Columbia magazine, June 1924

"The Society membership has been constantly strengthened in the succeeding years by the addition of other members, which included in the early years ... C. Ferguson ... "
      From "B.C. Society of Artists - A History" by J.D. Parker
      B.C. Society of Fine Arts 40th Annual Exhibition Catalogue, 1950

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