The murals
Follow the self-guided mural route through downtown and Old Town. The artworks connect the present-day village with stories from its past.
Mural information ↗Our home on the Cowichan coast
Chemainus: a town with a story to tell
Murals, maritime views, live theatre and independent shops give this small Vancouver Island community an artistic character of its own.
The little town that did
From mill town to open-air gallery.
On the east coast of Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria, Chemainus has a history much larger than its size suggests. The forests and the waterfront helped shape generations of working life. When a major sawmill closure threatened the community in the early 1980s, residents and local businesses looked for a different way forward.
The answer began appearing on walls. A programme of large outdoor murals transformed ordinary buildings into a public record of the town's history, its people and its changing identity. Chemainus became known as “The Little Town That Did”, an example of a community finding a new direction through art and determination.
Art you can walk through
Every street has another chapter.
Chemainus is an inviting place to explore on foot. Its murals are not confined to a gallery: they appear on buildings, around corners and along the streets, often depicting logging, coastal life and significant moments in local history. Public carvings and sculptures add another dimension to the experience.
The theatre
The professional Chemainus Theatre Festival is a major part of the town's cultural identity, staging plays and musicals throughout the year.
Chemainus Theatre Festival ↗The town centre
Independent boutiques, galleries, cafés, makers and local businesses lend the streets a character that rewards a slower visit.
Explore attractions ↗Between forest and sea
The coast is part of the story.
Just beyond the murals and shopfronts, the landscape opens towards the Salish Sea and the Gulf Islands. Kin Beach Park offers a waterfront stop, while Waterwheel Park provides a green gathering place close to the visitor centre and Chemainus Valley Museum. The town is also a departure point for BC Ferries services to Thetis and Penelakut Islands.
For those who prefer a walk away from the streets, local trails and parks offer another side of Chemainus, shaped by water, woodland and a quieter pace of life.
Plan a visit to Chemainus ↗THE COWICHAN COAST · VANCOUVER ISLAND
Honouring the place
A history that began long before the murals.
The story of Chemainus did not begin with the sawmills or the first painted walls. The surrounding coast is part of the traditional territories of Coast Salish peoples, including the Stz'uminus First Nation. Their enduring presence and connection to the land and waters form an essential part of understanding this region.
We recognise that the town's artistic reinvention is only one chapter in a much longer history. Anyone interested in learning more can begin with the community's visitor information and historical resources.
Why Chemainus Books?
Stories belong here.
There is a fitting connection between a town that tells its stories through murals and a business devoted to books and publishing. Both depend on people sharing what they have seen, imagined and learned. Both preserve memories while creating space for new ideas.
Chemainus Books takes its name from this community and its creative spirit. Our books may travel far beyond Vancouver Island, but the identity behind them remains rooted here.
Explore our published books ↗Local information: Visit Chemainus, Municipality of North Cowichan and Tourism Cowichan. Attractions and programmes may change; check official information when planning a visit.