mural 19

Mill street in 1948

Painted in 1986 by Mike Svob, B.A., A.F.C.A.
Coquitlam B.C.

The Artist

ike Svob moved to British Columbia from Welland, Ontario after graduating from the University of Western Ontario and gaining experience in the business world. Art was what everyone told him not to do.

His rendering of Mill Street in 1948 is an impressionistic wave of transparent colour which washes gently over the eye of the viewer much like his watercolours. He is a self-taught painter, who has gained recognition and now exhibits with other well-known members of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Svob has won numerous awards including first prize at the F.C.A. ‘85 Workshop and the Purchase Award at the 46th Northwest Watercolour Society Show.

The Art

The first building on the left of old Mill Street was used as a Post Office until 1927. That year, street lights made their first appearance in Chemainus, with power provided by the V.L. & M. Company. Beyond the Post Office, towards the water, stood the sawmill superintendant’s office.

The company store closed its doors in September 1949, after 65 years of service. When the building was demolished a year later, wreckers discovered that the frame was made of clear lumber, with some pieces over 40 feet long without a knot or defect of any kind! Several boxes containing cast steel ox shoes, bearing the date 1885 were found under the floor.

Also depicted in the mural is a time clock shelter to the right of the employee parking area. Gordon Wharf and the government wharf recede into the background of Chemainus Harbour.  Next Mural >