Good news, this merry menagerie has also settled in for good and should brighten up playtime for many years to come. The artist Mélanie Crespin has indeed bequeathed her original work to the Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague school, where her daughter also goes (and, total transparency: that of the author of these lines).
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Does the lying sausage dog mean anything to you? Have you ever seen this oversized bulldog somewhere? And what about this psychologist dog? Very possible, since the installation of Mélanie Crespin (in the photo), with the predestined name In my yard… it’s hot! which depicts dogs dancing, playing or peeing, was first presented in 2019 on rue Sainte-Catherine, at the invitation of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, to return in force the following two years.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Roulement obliges, after several years of use, we still offer artists, creators and designers the possibility of recovering their works, explains the Quartier des spectacles. The artist therefore had the happy idea of offering it to a primary school, at the court so far rather anonymous. “Who would benefit the most? she wondered. Note that the move would not have been possible without the invaluable help of several volunteer parents, and especially of a specialized educator convinced of the project, Louis-Charles Martineau.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“It was so much work, and the works are still in good condition! “, explains Mélanie Crespin, also a scenographer, who gave Les Décors 3D the mission of making them. And make them last. The fiberglass works and the summer furniture will also be covered all winter, in order to protect them.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“We were pleasantly surprised by this offer”, comments the director of the school, France Verbeke, underlining how much young and old are delighted with the precious gift. ” They [les chiens] are unanimous! Note that to fight against vandalism, we are thinking of prohibiting access to the courtyard at night, although not during the day: “I would not want to prohibit access to people from the community. It’s so beautiful ! »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
As for the Montreal school service centre, it is emphasized that cultural awareness is also part of the educational mission. “The students are fortunate to benefit from this attention and we thank the artist Mélanie Crespin for choosing this school in the Plateau Mont-Royal. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Note that the Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague school, located in the eastern Plateau Mont-Royal, is to be renamed Jean-Paul-Riopelle this summer. The artist, whose 100th we celebratee birthday this year, attended the small establishment, in addition to learning the arts there, especially painting, of course. An official inauguration is planned for the fall.