The Sarnia Journal has partnered with local photographer Art Connolly to feature his captivating “Humans of Sarnia” series as he delves into the lives and experiences of everyday people in Sarnia.
If you’ve spent time in Sarnia, chances are you’ve already encountered the work of Emily Wright—whether you realized it or not. Her art has a way of embedding itself into the everyday fabric of the community. She is the creative force behind the cheerful seagull mascot wearing a Hawaiian shirt at Yogi’s Fry Truck, a design that has quickly become a recognizable and lighthearted symbol around town. She has also created distinctive labels for River Run Brewing Company, combining artistry with branding in a way that captures the personality of the business itself.
Emily’s work doesn’t stop with commercial projects. She was one of the featured artists in the Festive Nutcracker Project, where six towering five-foot nutcrackers were installed downtown to bring colour and holiday cheer to the city. The project carried a purpose beyond decoration, raising funds for the Women’s Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton. For Emily, the initiative was a perfect example of how art can beautify public spaces while also supporting meaningful causes.
More recently, Emily’s creativity was selected to take on one of Sarnia’s most iconic spaces: Canatara Park. Her mural design will soon grace the lifeguard building—a vibrant and lasting reminder of how art can shape the way residents and visitors experience a beloved public landmark.
Yet murals, mascots, and labels represent just a fraction of Emily’s artistic footprint. Many people in Sarnia know her as an instructor at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, where she teaches workshops that encourage people to embrace their own creativity. Others know her for her deeply personal pet portraits—works of art that capture not only the likeness of someone’s beloved animal, but also the spirit and personality behind their eyes.
Roots and Family
Emily Wright’s story begins in Sarnia, where she grew up as the middle child in a family of five. With an older brother and younger sister, she learned early on the art of balancing her role between sibling relationships. Her mother worked with Public Works, and her father was employed as a Health and Safety Supervisor. Her extended family lived nearby, spread across Sarnia, Camlachie, and Wyoming, which meant family gatherings and close connections were a regular part of her childhood.
Emily attended Sacred Heart Catholic School before moving on to St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, both of which provided her with an early sense of community and belonging. From there, her ambitions began to stretch beyond Sarnia’s borders.
Chasing the Big City Dream
Like many young artists, Emily felt the pull of the big city. After high school, she enrolled at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) in Toronto, specializing in drawing and painting. It was a transformative time that allowed her to refine her technical skills, experiment with new ideas, and immerse herself in a city filled with opportunity and creative energy.
“I remember thinking: I’m never coming back to Sarnia,” Emily recalls with a laugh. “I wanted to live in Toronto and just be an artist. At the time, that felt like the only path.”
Yet life has a way of reshaping priorities. After several years in Toronto, Emily began to feel the weight of distance from her family. Her nieces and nephews were being born back home, and her then-boyfriend, now-husband, was still in Sarnia. Slowly, the sparkle of big-city life faded, replaced by a longing for the closeness she had taken for granted growing up. “Once I was there, it just lost its luster,” she admits. “I realized what I actually wanted was community.”
Returning Home
When Emily returned to Sarnia, she found herself reintroduced to the rhythm of small city living. The pace felt different, but in the best possible way.
“I like being in a place where you recognize people,” she says. “You can run into friends at a café or while grocery shopping, and you stop to catch up. That doesn’t happen the same way in Toronto. And then there’s the fact that we live in a beach city—I love that about Sarnia.”
Settling back in, Emily married her husband, Liam, who works as a nurse with Lambton Public Health. She describes their relationship as a perfect blend of creativity and practicality. “We’ve got this right-brain, left-brain combo going on,” she laughs. “I call him my ideas guy—I bounce things off him all the time, and he grounds me.”
Building a Career in Art
For Emily, returning to Sarnia didn’t mean putting aside her artistic ambitions—it meant reshaping them. Through her business, ILY Art and Design, she has steadily built a portfolio that balances personal expression with professional opportunity.
“Being self-employed as an artist comes with challenges people don’t always see,” she explains. “The creative part is fulfilling, but the business side can feel intimidating. Over time, though, I’ve grown to really enjoy it. I like representing myself, setting my own boundaries, and choosing the projects I want to take on.”
The Creative Community
One of Emily’s most surprising discoveries after moving back was the sheer number of artists and musicians who call Sarnia home.
“When I came back, I had no idea there were so many creatives here,” she says. “I want to meet them all. The tough part of being an artist is that so much of the work happens alone, in your studio. That’s why events like Artwalk, ARTPATH, and Art in the Park are so important. They pull us out of isolation and remind us that we’re part of something bigger.”
A Lasting Impression
Emily Wright has already left her mark on Sarnia, from the playful designs that brighten local businesses to the large-scale projects that shape the city’s public spaces. But in many ways, she is just getting started. With her talent, vision, and dedication to community, she is poised to continue transforming Sarnia—one brushstroke at a time.
Her story is one of returning home, rediscovering the beauty of small-city life, and using creativity as a tool for connection. It is also a reminder that sometimes the best place to build a career and make a difference is the very place you started.
As Emily reflects on her journey, her passion is clear. “I’m proud to be part of Sarnia’s creative community. My hope is to keep making the city brighter, more colourful, and more connected through art.”
Through her work, Emily has already left a lasting imprint on Sarnia’s landscape. But her story is just beginning. With her energy, vision, and commitment to building community through art, Emily Wright isn’t only painting murals—she’s helping paint a brighter future for Sarnia itself.
