Please share with the reader the journey that led you from a young age to owning The Beaumont Studios.
As a child, I was always bringing other kids together and starting clubs—though I didn’t realize I was doing it at the time. I ran a stunt club in elementary school, and as a mom now, it’s insane to imagine a bunch of grade 2’s making their way down the icy slide to see who could make it the furthest. We had a blast and met daily at lunch and after school, much to the chagrin of the parents, I’m sure. Thank God, no one died. Later, in those early teen years, I also started a movie club, but that quickly turned into us just hanging out after school, sneaking booze from our parents’ cabinets, and learning how to french kiss. But we called ourselves the After School Club, nonetheless. I’d collect 50 cents per club visit, and then we’d pool our funds to go to the Tuesday night movies at the cinema for 2.50 Tuesdays.
What inspired you to launch The Beaumont Studios? Was it a long held vision or one that emerged from a single moment?
After 9/11 in 2001, the art market flatlined—sales plummeted, the U.S. dollar tanked, and two years later, my studio literally went up in flames. An electrical fire wiped out the building, and just like that, I was on the street, scrambling to find a new space for my struggling glass arts business.
After 9/11 in 2001, the art market flatlined—sales plummeted, the U.S. dollar tanked, and two years later, my studio literally went up in flames. An electrical fire wiped out the building, and just like that, I was on the street, scrambling to find a new space for my struggling glass arts business.
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I landed temporarily in a gritty warehouse just a few blocks from where Beaumont I now calls home. I remember looking out the window at this massive hole in the ground with a sign that read: “Future home of Home Depot.” That was my signal. The neighbourhood was changing—and fast. But it wasn’t just gentrification; there was something else in the air. A kind of creative buzz. I could feel it. And I knew—I was in the right place for something new.
That’s when the ah-ha moment hit. Instead of looking for a tiny studio just for myself, I thought: What if I built something bigger? A space for makers, performers, and dreamers like me. A gallery. A performance venue. And a series of glass-walled studios where artists could not only create—but connect, collaborate, and cross-pollinate clients. A space where the community could meet the artists, and the artists could meet each other’s audiences
I wrote a business plan—although, in hindsight, not a very good one. In fact, the friend helping me write it paused before handing it over and said, "Judy, this is not a good business plan. I strongly advise you not to move forward." I thanked him, offered the pre-agreed $400 (which he refused to take)… and found a real estate agent anyway.
Within two months, I secured our first space—316 West 5th. The original Beaumont. And just like that, Beaumont was born.
By October 2005, the space was fully rented with artists, creatives, and performers. The gallery was buzzing, the theatre lights were on, and the place was alive with some of the best local talent. It was exactly what I’d imagined.
And then something magical started happening—those little micro-communities of each resident artist, theatre troupe, and artisan began to amalgamate. Over time, they formed one big, vibrant, ever-evolving creative community. A living, breathing ecosystem of art, support, and shared hustle.
The dream wasn’t just born—we kicked down the door in paint-splattered boots and started renovating (without permits, which is a whole another debacle" for another time to share). And anyone who knows me, knows that all of my boots are paint-splattered—even my stilettos, maybe a hint of red wine in there too.
The dream wasn’t just born—we kicked down the door in paint-splattered boots and started renovating (without permits, which is a whole another debacle" for another time to share). And anyone who knows me, knows that all of my boots are paint-splattered—even my stilettos, maybe a hint of red wine in there too.
Can you share The Beaumont Studio's philosophy, how the studio is used and what kind of special events are held there?
The building itself is a living, breathing canvas—part gallery, part rehearsal hall, part maker space, part performance venue, and part community hangout. It's a maze of amazing creatives. It’s a cross-disciplinary playground where boundaries blur and new ideas are born daily. From immersive theatre productions and experimental art shows, to comedy nights, fashion pop-ups, music festivals, art markets, speaker series, and educational workshops yoga, bengara and even tap dance are all part of the place — if it’s creative in concept, chances are it’s happened here or will. We’ve hosted bar mitzvahs, burlesque shows, gallery weddings (papier-mâché jungle animals included), and a whole lot of unforgettable dance parties.
Our events have the energy of a house party—intimate, electric, and full of soul. Everyone’s invited, and everyone feels like they belong. It’s inclusive, it’s collaborative, and it’s full of surprises. All walks of the community call The Beaumont their creative home. We throw big, weird, beautiful happenings that mix mediums, mash up genres, and invite the public in to experience art in unexpected ways. It’s part spectacle, part spiritual recharge. Every event is a chance to build community and remind people that art isn’t something to observe from behind velvet ropes—it’s something to live inside of.
What are the biggest challenges of running a business like this? What’s the best part—what comes easy or brings the most joy?
The biggest challenges = Affordability and outdated zoning policies, hands down.
The biggest challenges = Affordability and outdated zoning policies, hands down.
Because of poor city planning and a lack of understanding around hybrid cultural spaces, I spend far too much time advocating for property tax relief and fighting for zonie updates for our odd little big neighbourhood. Instead of creating new ideasi and laying the foundation to bring new art to life, I’m mostly stuck behind a computer screen, pushing advocating, it's like pushing a very heavy boulder up a very steep mountain — just trying to keep the doors open and the place accessible.
We're burdened with triple net leases and density charges meant for high-rise developers, not grassroots artist hubs. It’s exhausting. But we fight—because spaces like this matter.
And the best part? That’s easy: the community.
And the best part? That’s easy: the community.
Watching our incredible, self-sustaining ecosystem grow—resident artists, performers, volunteers, staff, neighbours, dreamers—it's deeply fulfilling. The micro-communities that have taken root here don’t just coexist, We have built something bigger than the sum of their parts and too big to come to an end. What started and the idea of a bunch of artists asharing space has evolved into something so massive, its hard to believe sometimes — it is so vibrant, so alive, a cultural machine powered by passion, weirdness, and pure creative magic. That I get to go to work everyday, with others who have built careers out of their creative passion, Everyone who comes is full of joy and wonder even the funerals that are full of love. Noone comes to the Beaumont to be angry, everyone comes to have fun, be creative and be a part of a community. It's impossible to describe the joy this brings to my heart.
The joy is the best part. It is what fuels me. When someone walks in for the first time and says, “ What is this place, I had no idea something like this existed here in Vancouver" I am proud to know that 20 years ago, I had the forethought to know this was going to work, we were the forefront of what the future of community centers should be rooted in. … LOL - it's also exhausting being with so many happy people everyday for 365 days a year.. lol
The Beaumont Studios will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on Friday, April 25th at 7 p.m. Can you share with readers a little of what is planned for this amazing evening?
Absolutely! We’re going all out for this one.
Absolutely! We’re going all out for this one.
Starting with our doors at 7:00 sharp. The entire building will be alive with performances—live music, electronic sets, spoken word, and dance performances, burlesque, rap, taro, slot machines, games, photo booths and so much more (keeping some happenings back for sake of leaving a bit of magical surprise). — . Every resident artist will have their studio doors open, and every square foot of Beaumont will be buzzing with creativity. It’s a full-building activation—exactly the kind of wild, wonderful experience we’ve become known for.
We’ll also have games, raffles, and some fun fundraising moments, but one of the biggest highlights of the night is our Anonymous Art Show. We’ve curated over 200 original pieces from local artists and community members, all available for just $50. The twist? You won’t know who made the piece until after you’ve selected it. Here’s how it works:
:Folks can preview the anonymous works from April 17th to the 25th and purchase a ticket anytime; on line, in person that week or wait til the grand celebration on the 25th. That ticket will grant them access to one of art pieces. Then, through a random draw the big night each art ticket holder will reach into the bag and pull out their assigned 15-minute time slot to enter the gallery and make their pick. 25 people will enter at a time. Though, here's the kicker, the more money paid the earlier the access to the gallery. the art tickets are $50.00 / $100.00 / $150.00 and $250.00 Remember it is a fundraiser and so put a few bits in to get the early access and your support will not only be a blessing to the Beaumont fundraising campaign, each artist is $25.00 if their piece is selected.
Whether they are a first-time buyer or an avid collector, there’s something for everyone—so many artists, so many styles, and all kinds of surprises. It’s a celebration of 20 years of community, creativity, and good old-fashioned chaos— It’s going to be big, bold, joyful, and totally Beaumont styles.
Support for art spaces in the city of Vancouver is crucial. In addition to attending the anniversary event, how can we support your efforts to keep this vibrant space for local artist open?
In addition to being a major 20-year milestone, The Beaumont has been operating as a non-profit society for over a decade—and we’re now thrilled to be on the verge of achieving charitable status.
That means community members will soon be able to make donations and receive tax receipts. So instead of giving hard-earned money into general taxes, individuals can look at what their charitable contributions could be each year—and choose to direct them somewhere meaningful like The Beaumont.
Giving shouldn't just be about tax write-offs though—it’s an investment in art, in community, and in the cultural soul of Vancouver. This support helps keep this space alive: the studios, the performances, the events, and the cross-pollinating magic that happens when creative people come together under one roof. So wether it’s a one-time donation, a monthly contribution, or simply spreading the word, every action helps ensure this vibrant cultural hub continues to grow and thrive.
You can donate now at: thebeaumontstudios.com/contribute
This 20th anniversary isn’t just a celebration of what we’ve done — it’s a launchpad for what’s next.The Beaumont is in the process of finding a permanent home. While we’d love to remain where we are, there’s an expiration date on our time here, as our landlord plans to redevelop the property in the coming years.
We’re dreaming big. An elaborate, multi-year strategy is already in motion. It includes robust fundraising, strategic partnerships, and collaboration with all levels of government, community stakeholders, cultural leaders, and philanthropists. Our goal? To secure a permanent space that we can own together with the community, in partnership with a like-minded developer. We’re actively seeking a development partner who understands the cultural value of what we’ve built—and we already have a few who see the potential of having The Beaumont as a flagship anchor in their future projects. And honestly—who wouldn’t want a Beaumont in their build? With a self-sustaining creative ecosystem inside and tens of thousands of people coming through our doors each year, the economic and cultural impact on the community is undeniable.
This 20th anniversary isn’t just a celebration of what we’ve done — it’s a launchpad for what’s next.The Beaumont is in the process of finding a permanent home. While we’d love to remain where we are, there’s an expiration date on our time here, as our landlord plans to redevelop the property in the coming years.
We’re dreaming big. An elaborate, multi-year strategy is already in motion. It includes robust fundraising, strategic partnerships, and collaboration with all levels of government, community stakeholders, cultural leaders, and philanthropists. Our goal? To secure a permanent space that we can own together with the community, in partnership with a like-minded developer. We’re actively seeking a development partner who understands the cultural value of what we’ve built—and we already have a few who see the potential of having The Beaumont as a flagship anchor in their future projects. And honestly—who wouldn’t want a Beaumont in their build? With a self-sustaining creative ecosystem inside and tens of thousands of people coming through our doors each year, the economic and cultural impact on the community is undeniable.
So how can you support us? In addition to financial contributions, come to our shows. Buy the art. Visit often. Share our vision far and wide. And by doing this, you’ll also help me get off the computer, get my boots back on (and full of paint again), and get me back to creating the kind of elaborate, magical art experiences that brought this place, and all of us, together in the first place.
Links -
- Website: - www.thebeaumontstudios.com
- Facebook - www.facebook.com/BeaumontStudiosVan
- Instagram - @thebeaumontstudios/
- YouTube - www.youtube.com/@bsidedotradio Our Bside Radio Station
- TikTok: TBD
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