BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS  

Edith Wrigley (Miss)

c1863 - April 17 1939

B.C. Society of Fine Arts (Member 1925-1927)
B.C. Society of Fine Arts/B.C. Society of Artists: Exhibitor's Timeline
Vancouver Sketch Club


Edith Wrigley was probably born in England, a year or so before her younger sister Ethel. After coming to Canada, she exhibited in Vancouver with the B.C. Society of Fine Arts from 1917 to 1926. She was a member of the Society from 1925 to 1927, perhaps 1928, but was not listed from 1929 on.

She exhibited work with the Vancouver Sketch Club from at least 1917 to 1922, according to reviews of the exhibitions, and also at the Vancouver Exhibition in 1925.

The City Directories list Wrigley starting in 1914: "Wrigley, Edith painting tchr 1-2737 Oak Street." The next alphabetical listing that year is for Ethel B. Wrigley, a music teacher at the same address, probably her sister.

In 1917 they had both moved to 1112 West Broadway, with same occupations. The 1920 directory (perhaps mistakenly) listed both Edith and Ethel as music teachers. She was listed as an "artist" only beginning in 1921.

On October 8 1921 Ethel married Donald McLean Gordon in Vancouver, his occupation was noted as "Gentleman" on the marriage certificate. He was also living at 1112 Broadway at the time of marriage. Edith was one of the witnesses. Ethel was 47 when she was married, and was born c1874 in Rochdale, England.

In 1922 Donald Gordon is noted as occupation "printer" living with Edith and Ethel at 1112 W. Broadway, Ethel was still teaching music.

From 1922 to 1924 Edith lived at 1112 West Broadway by herself, listed as "artist" only in 1924. By 1925 she had moved to 3824 West 14th. D. Gordon is listed in the 1925 Directory at that address, so it seems Edith had moved into a house with her sister and brother-in-law. The Directory lists her at 3540 West 36th Avenue from 1929 to 1938. She is not listed after that.

B.C. Vital Statistics on-lines gives the information that Edith Wrigley died in Vancouver at age 76 on April 17 1939, probably the artist.


GROUP EXHIBITIONS
DATE EXHIBITION ARTWORK
1917 May 5 Sketch Club    Exhibition (titles not known)
1917 Sept. 14 - 22 BCSFA   Eleventh Exhibition On The Fraser
Daffodils
Dahlias
1917 Dec. 1 - ? Sketch Club    Exhibition (titles not known)
1920 Feb. 7 Sketch Club    Monthly Exhibition (two watercolour landscapes)
1920 April 10 Sketch Club    Monthly Exhibition (study of wall-flowers)
1920 Dec. 4 - ? Sketch Club    Annual Exhibition Roses and Old Ivory
Chrysanthemums
Two Pink Roses
1921 Sept. 19 - 24 BCSFA   13th Annual Exhibition Dorothy Perkins
Roses and Old Ivory
Two Pink Roses
1921 Nov. 5 Sketch Club    Monthly Exhibition (still life)
(landscape)
1922 April 1 Sketch Club    Monthly Exhibition (wall-flowers)
1922 Sept. 16 - 23 BCSFA   14th Annual Exhibition Snowdrops
Primroses
Wall Flowers
1923 May 12 - 19 BCSFA   15th Annual Exhibition Violets
Crocuses
A Stormy Day
1924 May 3 - 17 BCSFA   16th Annual Exhibition Breath of Spring
Tulips
1925 May 9 - 16 BCSFA   17th Annual Exhibition "Michaelmas Daisies"
Violets
Japonica
1926 May 8 - 15 BCSFA   18th Annual Exhibition Nasturtiums
Flowers and Still Life
1932 May - July VAG   All Canadian Exhibition Spring
Nasturtiums

References

CITY & PROVINCIAL DIRECTORIES 1914 to 1938 (refer to DIR)

B.C. VITAL STATISTICS ON-LINE death (no certificate) (refer to BCVS)

Clippings

"Among the exhibitors were ... Miss E. Wrigley ..."
      From "Social Notes"
      Vancouver Daily World, May 7 1917

"At their new quarters in the Victoria block, the Vancouver Sketch Club had an interesting exhibition on Saturday afternoon. Among the exhibitors were ... Miss Wrigley ..."
      "Many Visitors At Sketch Club"
      Vancouver Daily World, December 3 1917

" ... Miss E. Wrigley (was represented) by two water color landscapes; ... "
      From "Sketch Club Has Resumed Exhibitions"
      Vancouver Daily World, February 9 1920

"Miss E. Wrigley's study of wall-flowers was charming in color and painted with a thorough knowledge of her materials."
      From "Art Exhibits Fewer But Maintain Standard"
      Vancouver Daily Province, April 13 1920

"Under the professional classification, Miss Edith Wrigley won first prize for any other subject in water colors and second prize for landscape in water colors."
      From "Arts Clubs Active - Vancouver Sketch Club"
      Western Woman's Weekly, September 18 1920

"Miss Edith Wrigley's still life study, "Roses and Old Ivory," was a beautiful piece of work, both in color and technique."
      From "Vancouver Sketch Club"
      Western Woman's Weekly, October 9 1920

"Miss Wrigley, who is one of Vancouver's very finest flower painters, has sent three lovely flower paintings. One of "Roses and Old Ivory," a second of "Chrysanthemums" and the third "Two Pink Roses." All beautiful and dainty in color and handling."
      From "Annual Exhibit by Sketch Club"
      Vancouver Province, December 6 1920

"The exhibitors were: ... Miss Wrigley, still life and landscape; ... "
      From "Many View Sketch Club Exhibit and Much Work Shown"
      Vancouver Sun, November 7 1921

"Miss Edith Wrigley contributed a rich toned painting of wall-flowers excellently done."
      From "Sketch Club Tea Enjoyable Event; Good Work Shown"
      Vancouver Daily World, April 3 1922


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