Marine artist John Malcolm Horton has made significant contributions to the appreciation and safety of B.C.’s coastal history and its waters through his paintings showcased in collections across Canada, commemorative coin designs for the Canadian Mint, and a lifetime of volunteer service to keep mariners safe.

In his outstanding paintings — over 1,400 in number — Horton depicts the history of the coast of British Columbia, bringing to life the historic voyages of captains Cook and Vancouver. His work has attracted the attention of officials at the Department of National Defence who selected him to produce paintings of Canadian warships serving in the Arabian Gulf and on international exercises.

Equally significant is his long-time volunteer work in marine search and rescue.

Over the years, Horton has been active in the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Canadian Lifeboat Institution, Royal Naval Sailing Association (British Columbia), Royal Canadian Sea Cadet, and the Naval Officers Association of British Columbia. He was instrumental in the development of the Lifeboat Institution and he used his own vessels to respond to 600 incidents.

Since joining the Canadian Marine Rescue Auxiliary in 1979, his focus has been on assisting the native and commercial fisheries in B.C. along with any other mariners in distress. Volunteering under the auxiliary flag, he has assisted in the rescue of hundreds of vessels either in distress or disabled.

In 1988 Horton began volunteering with the Canadian Lifeboat Institutes’ Search and Rescue service (SAR) – a not-for-profit registered charity that provides non-government supported search and rescue assistance in the Lower Fraser River and Gulf of Georgia waters. From its base in Steveston, Horton has trained volunteers to be competent crew members. As well he has devoted thousands of hours and his own money to maintain its 52’ Delta Lifeboat, formerly the Steveston Lifeboat. Its safety role to the fishing fleet in the Gulf of Georgia and Fraser Estuary cannot be over-estimated; to date almost 900 incidents have been attended by Horton aboard the Lifeboat.

In recognition of his marine art he is the only Canadian artist mentioned in the late Dennis Brook-Hart’s definitive book, “Twentieth Century Marine Painting.” He is a founding member of the Canadian Society of Marine Artists and member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, the Naval Officers Association of B.C. and the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. Through his art, he has supported many schools, museums, hospitals and community-based charities.