Ilda Labrecque
Hi, I’m ilda Labrecque, born and raised on a farm in Saskatchewan. In 1975, after graduating high school I boarded a train on an adventure to Edmonton, and deciding to stay, I married, and we settled in Beaumont.
Mostly self taught, my passion for creating unique works of art blossomed initially as a welcomed outlet from young motherhood of Chris and Marvin Chitrinia. In 1985, my little “hobby” turned into a home business with art, handmade creations, picture framing, and art classes.
It was amazing instructing art to youth, always excited to see what they created, listening to their stories, and loving their imaginations. Over the years a couple of my students have commented. “ya my mom used to take art classes with you”, it was a lol moment, with the realization I had taught for more than two and a half generations. I guess it’s one of the outcomes of loving your art instructing “job.”
I was interested in promoting the arts in the community, and in 1986 I was one of the founding members, forming a group called the Artists Association of Beaumont (AAB). Around Christmas time each year the highlight of the AAB membership was the Art Show and Sale. In 1989 I moved the home business into BeauVillage Shopping Center. In 1999, I purchased and converted a house on main street, into a retail space hiring Gerry Wiede as my contractor. In the fall of 2000, I moved the business from the shopping center into my newly created commercial space that you see today at 5013 - 50th.
Over the next several years I collaborated with AAB and other artists, determined that a permanent retail space would further promote local art and handmade creations year around. In the fall of 2014 with a lot of hard work, persistence and faith, we artists were thrilled to launch Painted Door On Main (PDOM) in the building which I purchased in 1999.
The Painted Door on Main has created a gallery that displays and promotes talented youth’s artworks. To acknowledge and honour my contributions in furthering the arts, the PDOM has named this space, The ilda Labrecque Youth Spotlght.
What on honour to be recognized in this way! I humbly thank you and I hope my story inspires you to follow and purse your own incredible dreams.
-ilda Labrecque