Bill McCleary, Lynne Cameron, Alain Gagnon, and Jane Toller celebrate the unveiling of the updated MRC Pontiac Regional Art Collection display in MRC Pontiac building in Campbell’s Bay. The art is available for public viewing during regular business hours. The collection represents a diverse range of styles, and is instrumental in recognizing local artists who have “marked the Pontiac artistic community over time.”
Nikki Buechler
MRC PONTIAC – On October 7, the MRC Pontiac unveiled a new gallery for their Regional Art Collection at the offices in Campbell’s Bay. The makeover was made possible by the Quebec Government and the MRC Pontiac under the Cultural Development Agreement
—Partnership Initiatives Program.
“We have many talented artists in the Pontiac,” confirmed Warden Jane Toller. “Over the past number of years, the MRC Pontiac has selected a piece of art to purchase each year in order to support our artistic community; we are very happy to now have a gallery where members of the public can come see and appreciate these pieces.”
The permanent display is now accessible to the public, and it is hoped that people will take the opportunity to view the collection during regular business hours. The public art collection was started in 2008, initiated by Rémi Bertrand, then Director General of the MRC. The collection represents a diverse range of styles, and is instrumental in recognizing local artists who have “marked the Pontiac artistic community over time.”
The unveiling of the redesign coincides with this year’s call to artists. “We are using this momentum to draw attention and visitors to the gallery and to encourage regional artists to submit art so we can expand the collection,” confirmed Sabrina Ayres. “As of today, all MRC Pontiac residents are invited to present one of their own original artworks for consideration to our selection committee, who will then choose a piece to add to the collection.”
The majority of the collection is housed in the Elsie Gibbons Boardroom, and the display was designed and implemented by Caitlin Brubacher of Elephant in the Attic, a dynamic art curation and framing studio located in Portage-du-Fort. The gallery is open during regular business hours (Monday to Friday—8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.), provided the room is not reserved for meetings. All artists interested in submitting a piece to the collection can visit the MRC website for more information on the criteria:
https://www.mrcpontiac.qc.ca/en/call-for-artists-pontiac-regional-art-collection/.
