By Simon Cordeau (local journalism initiative)
Usine Rolland in Sainte-Adèle won the Reconnaissance Art-Affaires prize, during the 34th edition of the Grands Prix de la culture des Laurentides, on November 12, at the Théâtre Le Patriote in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. This year, Culture Laurentides celebrated the history and heritage of the region.
“L’Usine Rolland is a place steeped in history carried for several years by an owner and a team with an innovative vision focused on the cultural community. His vision has come to fruition through the increasingly numerous presence, over the years, of artist workshops, studios, accessible creative spaces, residencies and open-air artistic events. It is thanks to the welcome, sensitivity and support of the team in place, which opened its doors to him, that a real community was born there and continues to expand towards a unique creative role in the region. . »
Art-Education Recognition Award
The Cégep de Saint-Jérôme unanimously won the Reconnaissance Art-Éducation prize. The jury thus underlined the contribution of the Wikipedia contribution project led by Geneviève Tremblay, an “original and educational project which makes young people aware of the importance of historical rigor, for its approach anchored in the real world and the active contribution of groups students.”
Passion Prize
Paul Carle from Val-David won the Passion prize, “for his active approach to the democratization of knowledge, his way of promoting history through concrete actions, and for his significant link between nature, culture and community”.
“Paul Carle has devoted the last few years to promoting the history of Val-David. At the head of the Val-David History and Heritage Society, he has directed numerous projects, including significant exhibitions and publications. By collaborating with the community, he was able to promote the cultural past of the Laurentians, particularly through podcasts and virtual exhibitions. Its commitment inspires and enriches the common heritage of the region. »
Michel Allard from Saint-Sauveur and Raymond Giroux from Saint-Hippolyte were also in the running for this prize.
Artist of the year
Isabelle Gagné from Mirabel won the Laurentians Artist of the Year award.
“Isabelle Gagné is a multimedia artist whose work has been the subject of major individual and group exhibitions, in Canada and abroad. She has completed several artist residencies and written essays for artistic and photographic publications, and her works appear in several private collections, as well as in public spaces. His practice unfolds in photographic, videographic and scientific gestures, as well as through different digital languages. »
Artists Isabelle Charbonneau from Saint-Jérôme and Caroline Gagnon from Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides were also in the running for this prize.
Organization Award
The Argenteuil Regional Museum won the Organization prize, “for its professional and modern approach which promotes heritage and improves the tourist offer, in addition to the redesign of an important place of culture with a positive regional impact” .
“Over the past five years, the Argenteuil Regional Museum has relocated its activities to the former Christ Church in Saint-André-d’Argenteuil, thanks in part to the support of the Municipality. This project made it possible to restore this historic building and relaunch the museum after the floods of 2019. Current exhibitions on the history of Argenteuil strengthen the cultural and tourist offer, sparking renewed public interest in the region. »
The Oka Arts and Culture Society also received a special mention from the jury, “for its unifying vision, for its trilingual approach promoting indigenous languages and interculturality between communities, for its actions highlighting what unites us, and for the reappropriation of history through photos taken with the communities.”
Histoire et Archives Laurentides was also in the running for this prize.
Next Generation Prize
With his work as a miller, Kevin Lajoie from Saint-Eustache won the Relève prize, “for his participation in preserving the memory of know-how, a rare and precious dimension, and his far-reaching project in the field of intangible heritage” .
“Over the last 4 years, Kevin Lajoie has invested in preserving the miller profession. In 2023, after completing the first training in artisanal milling offered in Quebec, he officially joined the Légaré mill in Saint-Eustache as an assistant miller. »
Jean-Christophe Saint-James of Saint-André-d’Argenteuil was also in the running for this prize.
Prix Excellence
With his project The Ghosts of ArgenteuilJessica Peters of Brownsburg-Chatham won the Excellence prize, “for her original initiative, as part of her unusual project which combines history and visual art, and its influence in schools and among local merchants”.
“Jessica Peters’ work has been exhibited in prestigious venues, including the Nancy Margolis gallery in New York and the Musée d’art contemporain des Laurentides. His project The Ghosts of Argenteuilproduced in collaboration with the historian Robert Simard, offers an artistic journey highlighting places significant to the history of Argenteuil. Through original works and video clips, this project invites the community to rediscover local collective memory. »
Guillaume Jabbour de Gore was also in the running for this prize.
Municipality Price
With his project Between Quenechouan and Long-Saultthe MRC of Argenteuil won the Municipality prize, “for its remarkable project promoting genealogy with innovative technical means and captivating interactivity, and promoting the sharing of knowledge and highlighting the indigenous presence.”
“The MRC of Argenteuil initiated the project Between Quenechouan and Long-Saultan innovative digital historical trail showcasing more than 400 years of history along the Ottawa River. Carried out in collaboration with the Argenteuil Regional Museum and historian Robert Simard, this project uses interactive digital tools to recount the significant events of the Long-Sault corridor in a fun and visual way. It offers a unique dive into the past, celebrating a strong element of identity for the region. »
The MRC of Antoine-Labelle and the towns of Prévost, Saint-Eustache and Sainte-Thérèse were also in the running for this prize.
The music group Aramis, led by Urhiel Madran-Cyr, won a creative residency at the Espace culturelle Saint-Gilles, in Brownsburg-Chatham, from March 17 to 23, 2025.
Julie Dionne hosted the gala, and the Beija-Flor Duo offered a musical performance.
