Liz Charsley-Jory

After spending most of her time at UVic in the Phoenix making props for shows between 1983 – 1985, Liz Charsley-Jory (BFA’85) worked a summer season with Opera Piccolo and promptly moved to London, England, to continue her work as a theatrical propmaker. After a year of freelancing at the English National Opera and independent props studios, Liz spent a year working in the props department of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa with fellow Phoenix alumni Marlene Rain and Paul Van Deursen.

From there Liz returned to London and landed a job with Kimpton Walker Scenery, building props and set elements on Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Aspects of Love, Chess, Starlight Express, and Metropolis. Liz also worked on installations for the Imperial War Museum, Chatham Historic Dockyards, and Tower Bridge Experience. In 1989 Liz became head of props for the touring production of CATS and, during this time, built and refurbished at least 20 versions of the set. Between 2014 and 2016 she worked on five new productions - one on a cruise ship, the others in large theatres in London, Paris and New York. 

In 2006, Liz returned to her fine art career and did an MA at Camberwell College of Art. She was appointed Canadian Artist in Residence at Dulwich Picture Gallery from 2011-2012, to coincide with the exhibition Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. Liz continues to teach art at Dulwich Picture Gallery and exhibits her work in England and BC. Liz makes large landscape-inspired drawings in oil pastel, charcoal, ink and watercolour and has work in private collections on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Liz lives in London, with her husband of 30 years and their two sons. 

To learn more, visit her website: http://www.lizcharsley-jory.com