Montréal: The First Executive Excursion 2023

In case you were wondering where the art committee went for the 2023 Fall reading week we were going on our first-ever executive trip sponsored by Hart House! The ten of us executives (including one lucky general member) embarked on an awakening journey to understand our neighbouring city’s art scene in Montréal! This new addition of diverse programming in the art committee was initiated by the acquisitions sub-committee. Our teammates had planned a fantastic trip for us to Montréal, looking at several different kinds of galleries and art institutions. Among these galleries, one of our top favorites would definitely be the Daphne Art Centre in the Mille End district.

Daphne Art Centre

We were greeted by the gallery director Lori and their outreach staff Amanda on the day of our visit. They have kindly given us a tour around Daphne Art Centre and their current exhibition “Mnemonic”, showcasing incredible works of wampum created by artists Dominic Lafontaine & Nicolas Renaud. Being the first-ever indigenous artist-run centre in Montréal, the Daphne Art Centre holds a unique distinction, celebrating the rich tapestry of the indigenous art scene in Canada. This visit marks an important moment in our art committee’s trip journey as our commitment to diversity extends beyond a checkbox- it’s a conscious effort to amplify voices that have been historically marginalized, underlining our active participation in reshaping the narrative surrounding Canadian arts. Through this trip, we continue to learn more about the different types of institutions that make up the ‘art ecosystem’ in the city. Our time in the Daphne Art Centre has truly left us inspired.

"Mnemonic" exhibit at the Daphne Art Centre featuring art by Dominic Lafontaine & Nicolas Renaud

Foundry Darling Brothers 

Visiting artist studios in Toronto was rare enough for our fellow art students, let alone visiting one in Montréal. Luckily enough, we connected with Alexandre from the Fonderie Darling Brothers through the recommendation of one of my lovely instructors Karen in the visual studies department of Uoft. Alexandre, being a part of the education and outreach department in Fonderie Brothers, offered us to visit their international house artist resident - Camara Taylor. Not only did we get to see Camara’s sleek studio, but we were also surprised to see that their communal kitchen and living room area in the resident centre has an industrial finish. To many artists, this should be a place to die for when it comes to scavenging a place to reside in and indeed we loved it too. What we also can’t love enough is Camara’s obsession with our Canadian’s famous international painter Robert S. Duncanson. Camara’s project follows Ducanson’s footsteps which led her to apply for residency here in Montréal. In her presentation for us, she generously shared her artistic practice in Scotland with the committee. We learned a great deal about her experience in the city and what her amazing research work has to offer to the Montréal art scene. 

When this staggering art studio tour had to come to an end, we took a group photo with the team and Camara to celebrate her milestone coming to Montréal as much as ours. As both visitors of this city and art enthusiasts, we truly appreciate Alexandre for welcoming us for this tour. In the spirit of reciprocity, we extend an invitation for Alexandre to visit Hart House. We look forward to the day when our education and outreach co-chair can reciprocate the warmth and hospitality with a visit back to him.

The Art Committee with resident artist Camara Taylor at the Foundry Darling Brothers

PHI Foundation 

Forget the art committee; we might just drop the brushes and become a band—because who knew playing art could be our new jam? The experience in Rirkrit's PLAY/JOURE exhibition was indeed a mesmerizing one. 

We may not have planned to bring a ladder on this art trip to Montreal, but it’s safe to say we have taken our appreciation for arts to the next level after we visited the Play in Phi Foundation. 

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

What drew us into the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts wasn't just the art, but the gift store strategically placed at the exit. It's like they're saying, "If the art doesn't leave a lasting impression, at least take home a fancy mug and pretend you're cultured!" Speaking of resisting the urge, our secretary Ayeza nearly brought back a non-Montréal-related souvenir art pin, but what’s even more real is the classic Toronto-Montréal art rivalry. We can't deny the allure of the AGO in Toronto - it's like the friendly competition between siblings for the title of the favorite child. While Montreal has its charms, Toronto's AGO whispers, "Don't forget about me!"

Anyway, the moral of the lesson here is that we do have to visit some tourist attractions of the arts to complete our art trip, and undeniably, we think the MMFA would be the best of them all. We rate this experience 10 out of 10. 

Ending

Truth be told planning a 10 people trip was not an easy task. To fit in 7 gallery visits in 3 days is no small feat, but we took on the challenge with gusto. Big shout out to our dynamic duo Ali and Aashai, who were the driving forces behind planning all of the tour visits on behalf of the acquisitions team. Alongside coordinating gallery visits, our committee director Victoria expertly managed the logistics of the entire trip. As well as massive appreciation to all the participants of this trip; without you all, we could not have achieved such a memorable experience. Here's to the collective effort that turned our art-filled adventure into a masterpiece! 

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Victoria Lee is a recent graduate of the Daniels program in Architecture and Visual Studies at the University of Toronto. Passionate about community building in the arts, she has been actively involved with the Hart House Art Committee throughout her university career, serving in various roles, including member, secretary, and chair. As Chair for the 2023-24 academic year, Victoria organized the committee's first-ever Art Trip to Montreal, providing members with a unique opportunity to explore the city's vibrant art scene.