BC ARTISTS: University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia

1908 - current

The University of British Columbia was founded in Vancouver in 1908, although the Fairview Campus did not open until 1915 at the corner of 12th and Oak in Vancouver. The premises were soon outgrown, and a new campus was planned at Point Grey. A student march and protest rally in 1925 helped "push" the opening in 1925.

There was an early arts and cultural centre known as "The Gables," on University Boulevard, that showed art exhibitions, including Beatrice Lennie's work in 1948.

The Brock Hall Memorial Building was occasionally used for art exhibitions, such as the 1941 solo exhibition by Lawren Harris.

The university was mostly business oriented, and it wasn't until B.C. Binning founded the fine arts department in 1955 that art become an integral part of the courses and activities on campus.

In 1948 the Alma Mater Society founded a collection of artwork that now includes a significant amount of work by B.C. Artists. See exhibition catalogue listing.

The University Women's Club purchased Hycroft Manor and restored it to its original splendor as their clubhouse. Original artwork in the building includes sculptures by Charles Marega.

References

THE ALMA MATER SOCIETY ART COLLECTION
      University of British Columbia 1948 - 1988
      No ISBN, 64 pages, illustrated in colour and b&w
      Includes history of the collection, artist biographies

BC SCULPTURE 60 (1960)

JOY and CELEBRATION (1967)

YOUNGER VANCOUVER SCULPTORS (1968)

CANADIAN WEST COAST HERMETICS (1973)

477-74-7 (1974)

DAWN (1975)

PLANTAE OCCIDENTALIS: 200 YEARS OF BOTANICAL ART IN B.C. (1979)

UBC MFA GRADUATE SHOW (1996)

Clippings

"Two new exhibitions of art are booked at UBC. In hut 0-16 an interesting collection of watercolors is being shown ... "
From "Watercolours on View At Art Gallery" by M.V. Thornton
Vancouver Sun, April 1948

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