Explore the sidewalks, beaches, and charming corners of West Vancouver through the eyes of celebrated artist and illustrator Emma FitzGerald. Having spent most of her childhood in West Vancouver, FitzGerald developed a deep appreciation for art during her painting classes at the Silk Purse Arts Centre and her visits to the West Vancouver Library. Renowned for her unique line work and her talent for bringing everyday scenes to life, FitzGerald invites viewers to experience West Vancouver as she does—through an artist’s journal filled with depictions of people, architecture, and the area’s distinctive character.
This collection of sketches showcases West Vancouver’s vibrant community and breathtaking natural surroundings, all captured with FitzGerald’s signature charm and spontaneity.
Additionally, the exhibition features select images from FitzGerald’s previous book, Hand Drawn Vancouver: Sketches of the City’s Neighbourhoods, Buildings, and People, offering a broader perspective on the city we call home. These small hand-drawn impressions serve as a testament to the beauty of slow observation. Whether you are a longtime resident or a visitor, FitzGerald’s work encourages you to pause, reflect, and discover the beauty in the familiar.
Emma FitzGerald was born to Irish parents in Lesotho, a small mountainous kingdom in Southern Africa. She moved to Canada at a young age and spent most of her childhood in West Vancouver, BC. These early travels instilled a keen interest in people and places, which is reflected in her freelance illustrations and Hand Drawn book series. Her work is in our collection, so inviting her to sketch the library en plein air was a natural fit.
On a warm summer day in 2022, she sat down with a sketchpad and pen beneath the Memorial Arch across the street to draw the West Vancouver Memorial Library. Her refined linework captured this beloved community landmark’s timeless charm and character.