Artist in Residence Program at Fairmont Empress
The Artist in Residence program at Fairmont Empress is captivating guests with live art performances and showcasing the extraordinary talents of local artists in the Greater Victoria region. Artists using various mediums are displaying their work in the hotel’s upper mezzanine throughout the year, providing a culturally enriching experience for all hotel visitors.
Each month, a distinguished local artist will demonstrate their artistic prowess on canvas through live painting sessions. Guests and the community will have the unique opportunity to witness the birth of a masterpiece as the artists create stunning works of art right before their eyes. The artists will share their creative process and inspirations, providing an intimate glimpse into the world of artistry.
Artists will be on-site three times a week during their monthly residency. Their schedules will be posted here at the beginning of each month.
For the month of September, the Artist in Residence is:
Ken MacKenzie
Ken is a Victoria-based realist pastel painter of urban and cityscapes. Ken’s primary source of inspiration for his diverse subject matter is generated from his travels to 35 countries, 23 of which he travelled by motorcycle. He strives to illuminate a unique perspective in his painting that may go unnoticed by the casual observer and often takes on custom projects, which may include a variety of subjects, including vehicles, land and cityscapes. Ken is also a past juried member of Pastel Artists of Canada, Federation of Canadian Artists and West Coast Collective. Ken is presently a juried member of Victoria Sketch Club and ArtiShow.
Location: Upper Lobby
Dates & Time: Friday – Sun starting Jan 1 – Jan 31, 2026