Yukon who is who

Ted Harrison (1926 – 2015)

Ted Harrison was born in Wingate, County Durham, England. He attended the West Hartlepool School of Art in England. His education was interrupted by the Second World War, but he was awarded a National Diploma in Design in 1949. He earned a teaching certificate from the University of Durham and taught for almost thirty years. He lived in the Yukon from 1967 to 1993 and the territory was featured in many of his paintings.¹⁾

Ted moved to Carcross in 1968 with his wife Nicky and their son Charles. He earned a teaching degree in 1970 and the family moved to Whitehorse in 1971. He enjoyed spending time at their cabin at Crag Lake.²⁾ Harrison’s paintings focused on the colours and culture of the Yukon. After retired from teaching he continued to work as an artist, illustrator, and author.³⁾

Harrison was the first Canadian to be selected for the International Children’s Book Exhibition in Bologna, Italy. In 1987, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada (1987) for his contributions to Canadian culture. He held honorary doctorates from Athabasca University (1991), the University of Victoria (1998), and the University of Alberta (2005). He was made a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.⁴⁾

Ted and Nicky retired to Victoria in 1993.⁵⁾ Nicky died from Alzheimer's disease in 2000 and Ted raised money for Alzheimer foundations. In 2011, he donated his personal archives to the University of Victoria’s Library.⁶⁾ Harrison donated the Crag Lake property to the Yukon and the Ted Harrison Artist Retreat Society manages a two-storey log home and studio available at no cost to eligible artists. During the summer, Harrison’s original one-room log cabin provides additional studio space. The retreat is intended to offer artists an opportunity to develop a creative project or body of work.⁷⁾