Monarch House Studios

17/04/2026

⚠️ Important Update from Monarch House Studios ⚠️

Monarch House Studios was created to be more than just a space. It was designed to be a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment—a place where people could gather, create, heal, and celebrate. From short-term stays to workshops and events, everything we built was rooted in the idea of turning something ugly into something beautiful.

Right now, that vision is on hold.

For the foreseeable future, Monarch House Studios will not have a viable or rentable space available.

This is not a decision we ever planned to make.
It is the result of a situation that has escalated far beyond what we could have anticipated.

As many of you are aware, we hired a contractor to build a wheelchair-accessible suite within the property. That contractor was ultimately dismissed after serious concerns arose regarding both conduct and the quality and completion of work—despite being paid significant funds.

What followed was not resolution, but escalation.

A restraining order was issued. Since then, we have been dealing with an ongoing campaign of public attacks and harassment that has made it impossible to safely and responsibly continue operating as a business.

Our story was featured on CTV News on March 20, 2026 (link pinned), and the impact of this situation has continued to unfold since that time.

The reality is this:

Operating a space like Monarch House requires stability, safety, and an enormous amount of coordination behind the scenes.
Between maintaining the property, preparing for guests, hosting events, and ensuring accessibility standards are met, it requires constant time, energy, and resources.

At this time, that is simply not possible.

Without a safe, functional, and complete space—and without the ability to focus on operations—we cannot offer the experience that Monarch House was built to provide.

This has had a ripple effect across everything we do, including the pause of The Giving Garden, which many of you also support.

We know this impacts guests, collaborators, and community members who have supported us, booked with us, or planned to. We are deeply sorry for that.

Monarch House Studios has always stood for resilience, creativity, and transformation. But right now, we are navigating a situation that has taken a significant toll—emotionally, financially, and operationally.

At this point, we do not know when—or if—we will be able to fully recover.

To everyone who has supported us, believed in the vision, and been part of this space—thank you. It has meant more than we can put into words.

We will continue to share updates as we are able.

— Monarch House Studios

21/03/2026

This is why I’m sharing this…

What started as a renovation turned into something no homeowner should ever have to go through.

This story was covered by CTV News — and I want as many people as possible to see it before they hire a contractor.

There were no stamped plans.
No engineered drawings.
And thousands of dollars added beyond what was originally agreed to.

If you’re planning a renovation… please take a minute to read this.

👉 I’ve linked the full article in my bio
(CTV News — Mark Villani)

Or search:
“Calgary homeowner renovation nightmare contractor”

If this helps even one person avoid going through the same thing… it’s worth sharing.

14/12/2025

Here are just a few of our lovely Grinch shots! Thanks to all that came out!

11/12/2025

Merry Grinchmas from Monarch House Studios and “MAX” - AKA Loki, our lovable foster fail from our beloved A Big thank you to our photographer and of course for your grincherosity!

10/12/2025

We are all ready for walk-in photos with The Grinch! Come down and see us at 107 Abingdon Cres NE between 5-8 pm. $10/ Person OR Pet! Proceeds go to !

10/12/2025

10/12/2025

We are all set up for this evening! Come see us at 107 Abingdon Cres NE between 5-8 for our BARC's Rescue fundraiser with the Calgary Grinch Brendan Hunter
For $10 per person or PET!!!

Come meet BARCs alumni Loki as MAX!

04/12/2025

Grinch photo mini sessions
ONLY DECEMBER 10 DATES LEFT AVAILABLE !!!!!!
Slots are filling fast!
-Single person or pet $50 5-10 mins, 3 images included (portions of pet portraits go to support BARC's Rescue)
-Family up to 5 people (no pets) $75 10-15 mins, 3 images included
-People and pets up to a total of 7 bodies (pets and/or people) $100 15-20 mins 5 images included

BARCS fundraiser all proceeds go to support BarcS!
-Pets only $50 5-10 mins 3 images included
-People and pets up to 7 bodies $100 15-20 mins 5 images included

We will also have our own BARCS Rescue alumni Loki as MAX!
Brendan Hunterg fag

04/12/2025

• Single person or pet — $50
5–10 minutes · 3 edited images included
(Portions of pet portrait sales support BARC's Rescue )

• Family (up to 5 people, no pets) — $75
10–15 minutes · 3 edited images included

• People + pets (up to 7 total bodies) — $100
15–20 minutes · 5 edited images included

⸻

✨ BARCS Rescue Fundraiser — Pet Sessions Only 🐾

All proceeds from these sessions go directly to BARCS Rescue!

• Pets only — $50
5–10 minutes · 3 edited images included

• People + pets (up to 7 total bodies) — $100
15–20 minutes · 5 edited images included

⸻

⭐ Special Guest Appearance:

Meet Loki, our BARCS Rescue alumni — starring as MAX!

03/12/2025

We are so excited to host Grinch mini sessions for your family this year!
We have several packages available over 3 days. They are booking up fast!

December 8 10 am- 4 pm
December 9 10 am- 4pm
December 10 2 pm- 8pm
Single person or pet $50 5-10 mins, 3 images included (portions of pet portraits go to support BARCS Rescue)
Family up to 5 people (no pets) $75 10-15 mins, 5 images included
People and pets up to a total of 7 bodies (pets and/or people) $100 15-20 mins 5 images included

We will also have our own BARCS Rescue alumni Loki as MAX!l

03/12/2025

We are so excited to host Grinch mini sessions for your family this year!
We have several packages available over 3 days. They are booking up fast!

December 8 10 am- 4 pm
December 9 10 am- 4pm
December 10 2 pm- 8pm
Single person or pet $50 5-10 mins, 3 images included (portions of pet portraits go to support Rescue)

Family up to 5 people (no pets) $75 10-15 mins, 5 images included
People and pets up to a total of 7 bodies (pets and/or people) $100 15-20 mins 5 images included

We will also have our own BARCS Rescue alumni Loki as MAX!l