The Maison des artistes in St. Georges: A regional gathering place

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As part of the Pan-West Francophone Economic Development Fund (FDÉFO) program, CDEM, along with the three other FEDOs (Francophone economic development organizations), announced funding for three new projects in 2022-2023. One is about to finally see the light of day in St. Georges, in the municipality of Alexander.

 

A dream come true

The community of St. Georges had been dreaming of it for many years: a Maison des artistes, warm and welcoming, ready to receive many new creative projects.

“Personally, a Maison des artistes is something I’ve been considering for a long time,” shares Diane Dubé, president of St. Georges Community Club Inc. (1). In Newfoundland  there is a village called Fogo Island. They have a residency for artists, writers and museum curators too. We had a similar idea in mind. ”

Thanks to a work of community reflection, the place of this future nursery of artists quickly became clearer: a house located on the beach of St. Georges, imagined by the community itself in the late 1980s.

“At the time, the plans were to build a house that could help develop the beach,” says Diane Dubé. There was a mini-golf course that told the story of the community and the Winnipeg River as well.

“It’s always been a meeting place. The house was used as a tearoom from 2003 to 2007.  The mini golf is no longer there today, and we wondered what this house could be used for now.”

 

A meeting place dedicated to artists and writers

Located close to the school, the library, but also the Winnipeg River Heritage Museum – a landmark rich in history for the community for generations – this house seemed to be the perfect place to attract new people to the community of St. Georges.

 

“We think it can become a big attraction because it doesn’t exist at all in the communities  of the Winnipeg River Tourism Corridor. At a past Art Tour, where we hosted two artists, almost 200 people came here, told us it was really beautiful on the riverside, and asked us if we had housing! We saw that there was great interest. ”

The renovations are still ongoing and there are still some finalizations to be done, but the vision is there, and the goal is close: this Maison des artistes will be a meeting place, a place to welcome artists and writers over a period of one to three months with, if possible, an exhibition at the end of their stay.

 

Visibility for St. Georges

Diane Dubé adds that the artist in residence can organize workshops with the students of the school or for the community. In fact, this new meeting place will create even more projects, links and partnerships.

“The Maison can be used to promote the library and the museum as well. While knowing that the artists will not be left to their own devices here. They will be presented to other artists in the community. As a matter of fact, we have a good relationship with the Winnipeg River Art Regional Council in Lac-du-Bonnet.’’

“We want the world to look at our community as a destination with plenty of attractions to help, encourage and promote artists and writers, and that they may even consider living here a little longer with us, ” adds Diane Dubé.

“We tried to create a welcoming place so that the people who come can be comfortable and work in the best possible conditions. Artists could really become the angle of our community. ”

 

CDEM’s support

It should be noted that this year was the third and final year of the FDEFO pilot project. “The support we received from CDEM was tremendous,” concludes Diane Dubé. We had projects in our sights for a long time and now they are coming to fruition.  These funds allowed us to launch our project and do all the necessary work to make the house safe. We now hope to have others to allow us to solidify the site even more. ”

 

1. The St. Georges Community Centre is more commonly known as the St Georges Community Club Inc.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Are you an artist? You can plan your stay at the Maison des artistes of St. Georges by contacting Diane Dubé by email at cdc@granite.mb.ca