Ted Harrison — Whitehorse, Yukon
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Dunbar Loop
N 60° 43.179 W 135° 03.116
8V E 497166 N 6731562
A life-sized bronze bust of Canadian artist Ted Harrison, unveiled in 2014. Located at 2nd Avenue and Main Street, Whitehorse, it honours his Carcross-inspired art and cultural legacy.
Waymark Code: WM1CGAB
Location: Yukon Territory, Canada
Date Posted: 08/18/2025
Views: 1
The bronze bust of Ted Harrison, unveiled in 2014, honours one of Canada’s most beloved artists and storytellers. It now stands prominently at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Main Street in downtown Whitehorse, a location at the heart of the city that Harrison helped put on the cultural map.
The bust rests on a rectangular stone plinth, with a commemorative plaque affixed to the front. Harrison is depicted with his signature wide smile, a nod to his warm personality and playful artistic vision. The work is life-sized, cast in bronze, and portrays him simply, without props, emphasizing his character rather than occupation. The smooth modelling and subtle details in his facial features reflect an approachable and affable presence. The plinth is granite, complementing the bronze with a natural, durable finish.
Ted Harrison (1926–2015) was born in Wingate, County Durham, England. He trained as an artist at the West Hartlepool School of Art and later taught art in England, Malaysia, and New Zealand before moving to the Yukon in 1968. Settling in the small community of Carcross, he found inspiration in the surrounding northern landscapes. Bold colours, simplified forms, and whimsical interpretations of life in the North became his hallmark. His work is instantly recognizable and celebrated across Canada. Beyond painting, Harrison became widely known as an illustrator of books, including the classic children’s title The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1987 for his contributions to Canadian culture.
The placement of the bust at 2nd and Main ensures that both residents and visitors encounter Harrison’s legacy at one of Whitehorse’s busiest intersections. It serves as a reminder of how an adopted Northerner, based in nearby Carcross, helped shape the artistic identity of the Yukon, translating its light, people, and spirit into images known worldwide.
Sources:
Wikipedia – Ted Harrison (artist)
MacBride Museum of Yukon History
City of Whitehorse
The life-sized bust of Ted Harrison depicts him wearing a collared shirt and his signature thick-framed glasses, gazing as if toward a Yukon landscape awaiting his vibrant colours.