Obituary for
Ihor Dmytruk
February 11, 1938 – November 27, 2021
Ihor Dmytruk , visual artist, passed away at age 83 after a lengthy and progressively declining health condition. Ihor was a caring and loving son, brother and uncle. His compassionate personality was displayed by the care he provided to his parents as they aged. After our father died in 1985, Ihor became our mother’s primary companion and ultimately her caregiver, until her passing in 2000.
Ihor was born in Kamianka-Buzka in Ukraine and was always proud and supportive of his Ukrainian heritage. As World War II was ending his family fled Ukraine and settled in Graz, Austria from 1944 to 1949. The family immigrated to Canada, arriving in Edmonton in December 1949 and then settling in Lamont in April 1950. Strong family ties were established and nurtured with his four siblings as they grew up in a small four room house. During his High School years in Lamont, Ihor excelled in track and field and basketball. He showed his artistic abilities by creating small sculptures in wood and other materials and painting comical posters.
Ihor studied art for two years at the University of Alberta and was awarded his Intermediate Diploma in Art in 1961. He then continued his art studies at the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr University of Art and Design) where he was granted an Honors Advanced Diploma in drawing and painting and received the Jack Shadbolt Award for excellence in drawing and graphics upon his graduation in 1963.
His professional art career commenced in 1963 and soon after, Ihor and his friends Alfred Schmidt, Sylvain Voyer and Harry Savage started an art studio in downtown Edmonton and became lifelong friends. Ihor taught at the Edmonton Art gallery, NAIT (Extension Art Division), and The University of Alberta Department of Fine Arts as a full time and part time sessional instructor. He was also an instructor in drawing and graphics at the Faculty of Extension, Department of Art until his retirement from teaching in 2002. In 1980 Ihor met artist/iconographer Stefan Melnychenko and they motivated each other and became closest friends.
His creative activities covered many styles over the years – from hard edge acrylic paintings to abstract works and many more realistic scenes. He used acrylics, color or black pencils, watercolors and other media to create the effects he desired. His work was recognized in 1966 at the All Alberta Exhibition where he received the Honorable Award. He was a recipient of a Canada Council Travel Grant in 1966 and Canada Council Art Grant in 1972 and 1974.
Ihor’s art was exhibited at seven solo exhibitions. He participated in at least 30 group exhibitions which were held in various galleries across Canada, USA, Japan and the UK. Articles published in such journals as ArtsCanada, The Edmonton Journal, and numerous other publications wrote about Ihor’s art. His work is represented in public, corporate and private collections including Canada Council’s Art Bank.
Ihor is predeceased by his parents, Reverend Eugene and Neonila Dmytruk; and brother, Eugene.
Ihor is survived by brothers, Chrysant and Dr. Rostyslaw (Janet), sister, Alexandra Okasana Scott; sisters-in-law, Leslie Dmytruk and Helga Dmytruk; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family in Ukraine, Eastern Canada, and the USA. He is also survived by his longtime friend and caregiver, Lee Bermudo.
The family expresses their gratitude to his long time doctor, Dr. L Gushaty, for dedicated medical services provided to Ihor over the years. The care provided by staff at the Cross Cancer Clinic and more recently at the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit at the University of Alberta Hospital is sincerely appreciated.
Divine Liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021 at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral with interment in St. Michael’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral Preservation Fund, 10825 – 97 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 2M4, or a charity of one’s choice
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ihor
Dmytruk 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Lamont, Province: Alberta