Photo credit: Ruth Massey, Arbutus Trees, Hidalgo Point, c. 1990, oil on canvas, 86 x 76 cm. Collection of Raymond Massey and Tina Arnold.

A Kay Meek Speaker Presentation in Partnership with the West Vancouver Art Museum
McEwen Theatre

Speaker: Dr. Hilary Letwin

In 1955, the artist, Ruth Massey commissioned Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey to design one of their earliest projects, a simple modern house incorporating a studio as well as living spaces. Located on a rocky peninsula in West Vancouver, the private and challenging site she chose jutted into Howe Sound with expansive ocean and mountain views. Killam was an atypical client in that she was a single woman commissioning two young and relatively inexperienced architects to design for her an unconventional house on a large waterfront lot. Before the project was completed, Killam would form a relationship with Geoffrey Massey, later marrying him. Their house became a locus of West Vancouver’s artistic community, where the Masseys hosted such notable guests as Bill Reid, Tony Onley, Takao Tanabe, Gordon Smith, and B.C. Binning, many of whom would become lifelong friends. This talk explores the life and work of Ruth and Geoffrey.

For accessible seating please contact our box office by phone at 604.981.6335

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