Dynamic Art History prof retires (July 2024)

Fri. Jul. 18, 2025

Dr. Claire LaBrecque, Associate Professor in History, retired as of July 1, 2024. As you will read, Dr. LaBrecque’s colleagues in the Department of History note the impact she had on the Department’s Art History Program, commenting in particular on Dr. LaBrecque’s enthusiasm for art history and the effect this had on her students, especially through her commitment to experiential learning. Dr. Labrecque’s absence has been keenly felt since her retirement.

photo of a stained glass window taken by Dr. LaBrecque — This photo was taken by Dr. Claire LacBreque (2019) and is used on the main page of the Art History Program's website. The byline reads "Stained glass representing canon Jacques Lacops (dated c.1635-1650). It is now part of the collection of stained glass of the Université Laval, Québec."

Dr. Serena Keshavjee, Professor in History, was a colleague of Dr. LaBrecque’s in UWinnipeg’s Art History Program. According to Dr. Keshavjee, “Dr. Claire LaBrecque introduced a generation of Winnipeg students to the glories of Medieval art. She made her classes dynamic through experiential learning using local collections. One of her most popular classes was on Winnipeg Gothic revival. She has published on both medieval stained glass and on Canadian stained glass. Her research and enthusiasm for teaching contributed much to UWinnipeg’s Art History Program, and students and her colleagues all miss her.”

Sandy Tolman is Department Administrative Assistant in History. To Sandy, “Claire’s dedication to her students was especially evident.” Sandy also notes Claire’s “enthusiasm for her stained glass art research.” Sandy states that her relationship with Claire reminds her why she “values the idea that UWinnipeg can build certain friendships that last a lifetime. We miss her.”

Dr James Hanley, former Chair of the History Department, remembers “her commitment to the program and enthusiasm for reaching new students led her to create several new lower-level art history courses in the years just before her retirement including Monstrous Art and Power of Arts: Visual Workship and Violence.” Claire “was a wonderful departmental citizen and I have fond memories of working with her on various committees but particularly on the departmental Awards Committee where her careful conscientious and equitable approach was so important.”