Marc Seguin | Ateliers 3333 are full!

Les Ateliers 3333 – creation of dozens of artists’ studios at 3333, boulevard Crémazie, in Montreal, in a former industrial building – is a success all along the line. A year after the launch of the project by the painter Marc Séguin, all the spaces are rented. We visited some artists who have just moved there.

Eric Clement
The Press

Sculptor Pascale L’Italien shares a 1035 sq. ft. space at Ateliers 3333^⁠2 with eight other artists including Bryan Beyung, Frédérique Laliberté, Évelyne Allaire and Ian MacLeod. “We all have different schedules so there are rarely more than two of us at the same time here,” she said. Before, we stayed for two and a half years in the old Cadbury factory. We were kicked out with rent hikes. In total, 29% increase since our arrival. So we moved here. We don’t regret. It’s bigger, nicer and cleaner! »

Created by Marc Séguin, Société de développement Angus and promoter Huotco, the Les Ateliers 3333 project comprises seven floors, with 7 to 12 premises per floor. It’s a lot of artists, more than 150, who are often several to rent the same space, with an area of ​​800 to 1000 sq.ft.^⁠2. The 82 rental leases have gone like hot cakes, as demand is very strong. “There must be some 700 workshops missing in Montreal,” says Marc Séguin, who is already looking for another building in Saint-Michel.

The difference between Les Ateliers 3333 and other buildings for visual artists is first of all the very attractive rental price, $12 per square foot, and the fact that rents only increase with inflation. Artist Cynthia Girard-Renard finds it reassuring to know that she won’t be ousted soon, “even if it’s the ugliest Place des Arts in the world! “, she says.

“Direct on the Metropolitan, it looks like an apocalyptic scenario! It’s so polluted and brutalist, this highway. You would never have thought that artists would be thrown into such ugly places. But hey, the neighborhood is super nice. It’s Saint Michael. There are plenty of grocery stores and a totally delicious Haitian restaurant, Pam Pi Bon! It’s a beautiful project, the 3333. I’m happy that my studio overlooks the north. I don’t see the Metropolitan and there are beautiful sunsets. »

Cabinetmaker Jérôme Lavoie is also very happy to now be in Saint-Michel.

But why a cabinetmaker? Isn’t the building just for visual artists? No. Marc Séguin explains that there are a few artisans in the building. “Artists may need a cabinetmaker,” he says. When we were at 305 Bellechasse, we had one cabinetmaker per floor! »

The Giverny Capital Collection, of the businessman François Rochon, is even present with a very large space to exhibit his works of art. Currently, an exhibition presents creations by Folker de Jong, Sophie Jodoin, Edward Burtynsky, Hajra Waheed, Bill Viola, Magali Reus, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Kelly Richardson, Adad Hannah and Eduardo Basualdo. You must make an appointment to visit the exhibition.

Marc Séguin wants Les Ateliers 3333 to be a real community. In a few months, the private organization will be transformed into a trust so that the artists manage the building themselves. The promoters have already entrusted its stewardship to an artist and community specialist, Keithy Antoine.

It will animate the places, organize exhibitions and open days, especially during the Days of Culture, in the fall.

In September, the building will be given an additional makeover. All the windows will be changed thanks to the collection of the first rents, says Marc Séguin. The second floor will be finished so that the last tenants can move in.

Marc Séguin has also reserved a space of 3000 sq.^⁠2 in the building, with a splendid view of downtown, the Olympic Stadium and Mount Royal. He repatriated works from his New York studio which he will soon drop, after 16 years of presence. “In the summer, I didn’t want to go there anymore, it’s too hot and I made myself a workshop on an island, so two workshops is enough. »

Along with his concern to help emerging artists and to send a message against speculation and exaggerated rent increases, Marc Séguin pursues his artistic path. He is currently preparing an animated film at the National Film Board with 6900 of his drawings. “It will be a 12-minute short film,” he said. The story is already scripted. I have a team that I will go into production with in September. »