The Art Emporium
1897 - 2023
The Art Emporium was one of the earliest art and framing stores in Vancouver, opening on
Georgia Street in 1897, and operating on South South Granville St. at 13th until 2023.
![](art-0511.jpg)
The Art Emporium advertised in the exhibition catalogue
of the First Annual Exhibition of the B.C. Society of Fine
Arts in 1909:
The Art Emporium
Picture Framing in Artistic Styles
901 - 905 Georgia St. Vancouver
In addition to selling artists materials. the Emporium also gave
local artists a place to exhibit their work.
In 1911 Who's Who in Western Canada listed John Randall
Davidson as "Art Dealer, Art Emporium, 901 Georgia St. W.,
Vancouver". Randall was born in Edinburgh, Scotland July 11, 1881,
and came to B.C. in 1909.
J.Y. Miller (q.v.) was Proprietor from at least 1915 to 1925. In 1926
Harry Hood is listed as the Manager. He ran the
store until 1948. He was one of Vancouver's important early artists and supporters
of the arts. The gallery's address remained on Georgia Street until 1928,
when it relocated to 1103 Robson Street until at least 1955. Frederick J. Michell took
over the store in 1949.
![](art-1030.jpg)
1947 advertisement in Canadian Art
In 1960 the gallery was purchased by Torben Kristiansen, who was
active until 2023. In 2011 the Art Emporium assisted in the production of
a massive reference work on Lawren S. Harris
titled LAWREN HARRIS - WHERE THE UNIVERSE SINGS (see bibliography).
![](art-1020.jpg)
Exhibitions
References
WHO'S WHO IN WESTERN CANADA
1911; Edited by C.W. Parker
A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Men & Women of Western Canada
Published by Canadian Press Association Ltd., Vancouver office
Contains 3,000 biographical sketches in 390 pages, incl. 84 pages photo portraits
References include John Randall Davidson
GREATER VANCOUVER ART GALLERIES 1954-2020 (refer to GVAG20)
Includes references to Art Emporium.
City Directories 1897 - 1955.
Clippings
"A group of wood carvings by Lilias Farley now on display
at Harry Hood's Art Emporium, again
gives evidence of the skill of a creative local artist. ... "
From "Western Artists Capture Interest At Toronto Show"
by Palette
Vancouver Province, November 20 1941
"Chinese Artist Recalls His Boyhood in Vancouver"
Vancouver Province, December 18 1979
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