The fairy doors are back and they’re bringing a touch of magic to the Village of Clive this summer with new additions from a Lacombe local.
The "Fairy Door Trail" has returned with nine tiny, hand-crafted portals hidden throughout the community from tree trunks to storefronts each inviting children and adults alike to imagine the magical world of fairies that has “moved in” to town.
Launched during Clive’s annual Fun Fest, the trail features five returning doors from last year by artist E. Webber Art, and four brand-new additions created by Lacombe artist Minuette La Montague of Casting Cats Art Studio.
La Montague, who describes herself as a “fairy and mermaid advocate,” said the project felt like a natural fit.
“When a friend first told me about it, I just thought this sounds like so much fun,” she said. “I love telling stories in my artwork, and each of my doors has a little story behind it.”
Her four doors include scenes featuring Alberta-native bugs, wild horses roaming, and trout swimming through space one of which even includes her cat, flying with butterfly wings.
“I just love the idea,” she said. “It’s magical especially the trout one. You open it, and there’s my pussycat flying through space. I like when people see my art and think, ‘There’s a story here.’”
La Montague, who was born in Montreal and has lived around the world from India to New Zealand, Brazil to the U.S. has now been in Lacombe for three years.
She’s had a varied creative life, working as a goldsmith, a wildlife painter, and a fire lookout in Alberta’s Bow Crow region for three decades.
“Every country I’ve lived in, I’ve taught or painted or done something with the local community,” she said.
La Montague has plans to continue the door art as she works towards creating stories for kids based on the artwork.
“I think every town should have something like this. It gets kids outside, away from screens, and lets their imaginations go wild.” she states.
The doors will remain on display all summer and visitors are encouraged to post their discoveries using the hashtag #CliveFairyDoors and take part in sharing their magical moments online.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.
CentralAlbertaOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the CentralAlbertaOnline app.