This text is part of the special section C’est l’été
Discover local artists in enchanting places
From July 2 to 10, the Circuit des arts Memphrémagog allows visitors to discover Estrie artists in their studios, just over an hour’s drive from Montreal. “It’s really the event of the region, it’s eagerly awaited”, confides the president of the board of directors, Céline Girard. For the 28e edition, the organizers wanted to facilitate the discovery and the visit by grouping in four poles the artists who were in sectors difficult to access or whose workshops were not conducive to the visit.
The visitor is thus invited to begin his journey with the collective exhibition at the Visual Arts Center of Magog, presented from June 29 to July 31, to then visit his favorite artists in their workshops or in the other “poles” : St-Matthew Cultural Center in Stukely-Sud, Marais Interpretation Center in Magog, Magog Cultural Center. “We had a record number of artist registrations this year”, notes Mme Girard. Forty artists (ten more than last year) were selected by the jury, most of them Circuit regulars, but also a dozen new participants. The artists welcome visitors between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. in their studio, free of charge.
A map and website list participating artists. The road signs have been redone in the Circuit’s signature image, to make the visitor’s experience easier.
A tradition that continues
Nouchine Dardachti and Sacha Ghadiri took over the reins of the 1001 pots event last year, which takes place for the 33e time this year in the Laurentians, from July 8 to August 21. A large outdoor ceramic exhibition in the heart of the village of Val-David, 1001 pots attracts visitors from all over Quebec and around the world year after year.
After the forced break, it’s the long-awaited return of classes and workshops. The international Sharing Bowls operation, an activity much appreciated by the public, will also return. This project helps raise funds to fight hunger.
This year, the event will present 108 ceramists, mostly from Quebec, mostly established artists but also emerging graduates. Despite the change of hands, the event remains close to its roots and continues to present a diversified program in addition to the exhibition of ceramics. “The goal was to maintain that when we took over,” says Sacha Ghadiri. Artists in residence, demonstrations, jazz concerts, tea room, rest area, in the same enchanting places that have hosted the event for three decades… “You feel like you’re in a crowded place when you enter the site. It’s a change of scenery one hour from Montreal,” says Mr. Ghadiri. For the first time, a puppet theater mini-festival will be held at the very end of the event, from August 18 to 21. The complete program will be posted on the website starting June 8, as well as on the Facebook page of 1001 pots.