press release for immediate release

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, July 5, 2014 – From September 25 to November 15, 2014, the Musée des maîtres et artisans du
Québec and the École de joaillerie de Montréal present “40 Years of the École de joaillerie de Montréal”,
a retrospective exhibition featuring 60 artists and nearly 200 works of jewellery and metalwork. Four
decades of original work, education, and national and international recognition! A remarkable historical
portrait of a Quebec craft art.
Established in 1973, on rue St-Vincent in Old Montreal, this studioschool came into being when two jewellers from very different spheres
but driven by a shared passion joined forces to create a vibrant, distinct
and unique training centre. Madeleine Dansereau and Armand Brochard
were so successful that within two years they moved into larger quarters,
establishing the École de joaillerie et de métaux d’art de Montréal. In 1989,
Dansereau and Brochard welcomed the first cohort of Cegep students
registered in the technical crafts programme, jewellery option, affiliated
with the Cégep du Vieux Montréal. Not only did they garner recognition for
Antonio Serafino
the instruction they offered in jewellery making, they also actively promoted
this programme, calling for it to be recognized in its own right by the arts community in Montreal and
across Quebec.
Now known as the École de joaillerie de Montréal, it is attended each year by over 400 students who are
divided into three groups – continuing education, college-level instruction, and advanced training – and
is the only Canadian institution to offer such a range of instruction.
In assembling works that are representative of the institution’s development, the curator of the
exhibition, artist and jeweller Catherine Sheedy, solicited the collaboration of collectors as well as of
a number of museums. A jury made up of internationally acclaimed weaver Louise Lemieux Bérubé,
cutler and silversmith Chantal Gilbert, and art historian Valérie Côté selected the works for
this exhibition.
An Exhibition in Three Parts
1. The Founders
A native of Belgium, Armand Brochard immigrated to Canada
in 1957. Holding very high standards for precision and
technical expertise, he created works of exceptional
quality. During Expo 67, the Quebec government
commissioned him to create sculpture and
jewellery to be presented to Queen
Elizabeth II, Madame de Gaulle and
Sylvie Mourocq
visiting heads of state. Armand Brochard has played an important role in supporting, developing and
advocating for the craft arts, and was instrumental in elevating the Salon des metiers d’art du Québec
to the level of markets and exhibitions that offer world-class products.
Born and raised in Montreal, Madeleine Dansereau is considered to have been the first woman in
Quebec to become a jeweller. Her approach was characterized by a love of metal, a material in constant
evolution, as well as by an endless fascination with her fellow humans.
In 1985, she designed the insignia of the Ordre national du Québec, which
is awarded to exceptional individuals in recognition of their contribution
to Quebec’s international reputation. Active in both the arts and the
craft arts, in 1987 she was one of eight artists appointed by the
Ministère des Affaires culturelles to review proposals for a bill on
the recognition of the status of the artist.
2. The Masters
The education offered to students of the École de joaillerie de
Montréal is greatly enriched by the diversity of its teachers.
Since the school’s founding, instruction has been given by a
significant number of teachers who have trained at international
institutions. The artistic character of each of these artisancreators is clearly identifiable. This section of the exhibition is
noteworthy in that it allows the visitor to appreciate a number
of technical and artistic approaches, and to admire works by
Georges Delrue, Antoine Lamarche, Denys Michaud, Louis-Jaques Suzor, Christine
Larochelle, Lynn Légaré and Pierre-Yves Paquette, among others.
Yves Girard
3. The Heirs
These artisan-creators all received their training from master jewellers. The quality of instruction and
open-minded approach of the institution have resulted in several generations of jewellers who have
produced outstanding work. A number have received honours and awards and have taken part in major
international exhibitions. Featured in this part of the exhibition are works by Josée Desjardins, Anne
Fauteux, Émilie Trudel, Gabrielle Desmarais, Annik Lucier and Esty Grossman, among many others.
Christine Dwane
Anne-Sophie Vallée
Exhibition Catalogue
For this occasion, the École de joaillerie de Montréal has produced a magnificent catalogue, including
excerpts from interviews as well as photographs illustrating some of the works presented in the
retrospective exhibition. This catalogue is proof of the great breadth and variety of both the institution
and this particular craft art, which is part of our cultural heritage.
About the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec
The Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec is located at 615 avenue Sainte-Croix, in the borough
of Saint-Laurent. The collection includes objects related to the arts and popular traditions of Quebec,
dating mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries. These objects document several centuries of FrenchCanadian history while paying homage to its masters and artisans.
A selection of images is available upon request.
Source / For further information:
Claudia Gravel, Project manager
ejm-cg@bellnet.ca
514-281-9922 ext 203
Stéphane Blackburn, Director
ejm-direction@bellnet.ca
514-281-9922 ext 202
Web site: www.ecoledejoaillerie.com
Josée Desjardins