As an assistant adjunct professor in the Department of History in Art at UVic, Karen Finlay published The Force of Culture: Vincent Massey and Canadian Sovereignty (UTP, 2003), an examination of Vincent Massey, one of Canada's most influential policy makers and, as Finlay argues, one of its most misjudged. Massey was the first Canadian-born Governor General. He chaired the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences that led to the creation of the Canada Council.

Edited by K.A. Finlay, "A Woman's Place": Art and the Role of Women in the Cultural Formation of Victoria, BC 1850s-1920s (University of Victoria, 2004) is a collaborative book arising from the Maltwood Art Museum and the University of Victoria with an amalgam of government funding including a CURA grant from SSHRC. It's essentially an expanded catalogue for the Maltwood exhibition of women's art from the early days of Victoria that was held from September 1, 2004 to January 11, 2005. This display was the outgrowth a research project instigated by Jennifer Iredale, Curator for the provincial government's Heritage Branch, who was responsible for four historic sites in Victoria: Carr House, Craigflower Schoolhouse and Manor, Helmcken House and Point Ellice House. The book and exhibition concentrate on the 'womanly arts' of painting, drawing, needlework and ceramics. Artists featured include painters Sophie Pemberton and Sarah Crease, plus photographer Hannah Hatherly Maynard. Emily Carr is included but not featured prominently; influential historical figures such as Alice Ravenhill, Martha Harris and Sister Mary Osithe are also considered.

[Photo: Lady Sarah Crease, 1907, painted by Sophie Pemberton]

[BCBW 2005] "Women" "Art" "Politics"