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About Us
 Background
The beginning of the event: to step back allowing us to jump better
It’s in 1992, at the initiative of the cultural
committee of the MRC of Memphrémagog, that was born the first project to
visit the sites of artists and cultural groups of the area, the “Ballade
culturelle”. This was an attempt at reproducing on the territory of the
MRC of Memphrémagog, the event the “Tour des Arts”, which had been a big
success in the Sutton-Mansonville region.
In fact, the project aimed to give access, for
a 10 day period, at the studios of interested artists, thus allowing us
to promote our own culture on our territory. Unfortunately, due to a short
deadline and a lack of financial investments, the leaders at that moment,
Mrs Denise Gallant, Mr Raoul Petitclerc, Mr Denis Viens, Mr Ghyslain Goulet
and Mrs Danielle Gilbert, were obligated to cancel the project and report
it to a later date.
Steadfast in their determination to achieve their goal, the group repeat their attempt the following year, and at the beginning of november, a new project is introduced to the cultural committee and to the administrative council of the MRC of Memphrémagog. This project called “A la Croisée des Arts” has for goals :
The development of the event: infatuation of the public and innovation
Already in the first year, the event attracted
more than 4,000 visitors. Obviously, the public answered with enthusiasm
at the invitation to visit the creative sites in order to meet the artist
and to appreciate artworks in a new context. This is how Mr Hubert Vallée,
newly elected president in 1995, perceived this first experience: “Of the
Circuit des Arts 1994, I remember an event of human dimension which serves
and put the focus on the artist in his personal surroundings. The visitors
enjoyed the sympathetic and informal manner of those intimate encounters. ».
In the event’s second edition, the growth is phenomenal:
111 artists and artisans are represented; 54 exposition sites, bigger geographical
area of the MRC and the biggest variety of arts and art professions represented;
35,000 pamphlets issued, and 8,000 visitors. As well, the first honorary
president, Mr Claude Castonguay, former minister of the Québec Government
and himself a painter, consolidates the credibility of the event. We also
have to emphasize the award given by the insurance company “La Larentienne”
to Mrs Joanne Marois Talbot for her artwork titled: “Ombrelle Chinoise”
(chinese parasol). The event was launched. During the following years, the
number of visitors has constantly increased, stabilizing at approximately
35,000 visitors.
Concurrently, miscellaneous improvements to the
organization were implemented. Firstly, we have to mention the introduction
of the collective exhibit event at the cultural centre “Club Azur” of Magog
which allows the visitor to take a first glance at the participating artists
and to plan his itinerary. Also, raffle of artworks and special events contribute
to sustain visitors’ interest. Finally, leaflets as well as promotional
activities are constantly improved, including the Web site since 1999.
The efforts of the organizers and the success of
the event are well recognized by the local community. Indeed, in 2002, an
important award was attributed to the “Circuit des Arts” organizing committee.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Magog Orford, bestowed the Melior
Award for “Cultural Event of the Year” to the “Circuit des Arts” in the
category Arts and Culture.
Long life to the “Circuit
des Arts”!
Honorary presidents since the beginning!
- 1994 Mrs Marjolaine Hébert, Théâtre de la Marjolaine
- 1995 Mrs Marjolaine Hébert, Théâtre de la Marjolaine
- 1996 Mr. Claude Castonguay
- 1997 Mr. Guy Savard, Merryl Lynch
- 1998 Mrs Jocelyna Dubuc, Spa Eastman
- 1999 M. Réjean Lettre, Bell Canada
- 2000 Mr. Réjean Lettre, Bell Canada
- 2001 Mr. Sylvain Descôteaux, Fond J.A. Bombardier
- 2002 Mr. Jean-Guy St-Roch, Mayor of Magog
- 2003 Mr. Roger Laroche, Radio-Canada
- 2004 Mr. Gilles Houde
- 2005 Mr. Marc-André Coallier, Théâtre de la Marjolaine
- 2006 Mr. Marc-André Coallier, Théâtre de la Marjolaine
- 2007 Mrs Édith Butler, Auteur Songwriter
- 2008 Mrs Hélène Wood
- 2009 Mrs Francine Poitras
- 2010 Mrs Mireille Roberge
- 2011 Mrs Mireille Roberge
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