Croque-livre art exhibit : Couleurs primaires

An inspiring project despite the pandemic

Launched in the midst of the pandemic, this arts and literature intercultural project was developed to stimulate exchanges and foster connections  among its communities. The first part of Croque-Livre was created through a virtual meeting between artists and children. 

Three groups of elementary school classes from the Borough took part in the project. Accompanied by an artist, an author, a cultural mediator and a librarian, the students were immersed in a creative process throughout the spring of 2021. 

Grade 3 students from Ms. Isabelle Wood’s class, at Murielle-Dumont School, got a visit from author Juliana Léveillé-Trudel and illustrator Mélissa Mathieu. Together, they reflected on the area where they live and which brings them together. This led them to transpose their impressions into poems and their memories into watercolours. The creative works were further enriched by the sharing of their parents’ childhood memories, sparking surprise and curiosity from all. 

Guided by author Rhéa Dufresne and illustrator Thaïla Khampo, the 5th grade students from Johanne Girard’s class at Perce-Neige school composed their haikus and depicted the colors of Un livre pas comme les autres by exploring acrylics. The process gave way to an emotionally rich result.

The story of Émon, le démon qui ne voulait pas en être un, was born from a mixture of ideas from students of Ms. Johanne Gagnon’s grade 6 group from Perce-Neige school. The challenge of writing a story together was accomplished with the support of author Marie-Célie Agnant. The group also had the opportunity to become familiar with the use of the monotype print through the explanations and exercises proposed by the illustrator Beatriz Carvalho.

These gatherings were a place for learning artistic techniques and for deep exchanges between children and artists, as well as for discussions between the children, all of which were nourished by the interventions of the cultural mediator Tanha Gomes.

All the creative works were gathered in the form of a souvenir album.

Couleurs primaires: The exhibition 

In order to reveal the true beauty of the children’s creations, the souvenir album is presented in large format inside the Pierrefonds Library.

Each page on display bears witness to the children’s lucid and amusing view of the world that surrounds them. Some of them had the opportunity to learn more about the life of their parents, who either grew up here or abroad, by involving them in their creation.

From the thoughtful simplicity of haiku poems, to the grandiose collage of texts, the exhibition is fun and touching for both young and old. 

Coming to a park near you

Three Croques-Livres installations (little self-access libraries), decorated by participating artists, will be set up around the Borough; copies of Primary Colours will be placed in them. 

This intercultural mediation project of the Borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro is a reminder of the plural character of our beautiful community.

To learn more about cultural mediation in the City of Montreal: https://montreal.mediationculturelle.org/

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