When nature speaks, Gatineau artists confront beauty and brutality

Tashi Farmilo

Espace Pierre-Debain will open its doors to a striking new exhibition on August 27, showcasing the talents of local artists under the banner Collectif des artistes en arts visuels de Gatineau. Presented by the City of Gatineau in collaboration with Arts visuels de Gatineau (AVG), the exhibition will run through to October 12. Opening night welcomes the public from 5 pm to 9 pm at 120 rue Principale in Aylmer.

Anchored by the theme Les forces de la nature, the exhibition explores the grandeur, volatility, and vulnerability of the natural world. The collection features diverse works, selected by jury, that reflect both the splendour and the fragility of nature: an urgent meditation on climate, wilderness, and humanity’s place within them.

The theme was proposed by artist Hélène Girard, whose evocative piece Comme un rêve (acrylic on canvas, 2023) was selected as the face of the exhibition. “Nature is both magnificent and unforgiving,” said Diane Groulx, the artist member responsible for coordinating this year’s collective. “This show is meant to awaken something in us—a sense of awe, but also a responsibility. We must not wait for disaster to appreciate what we have.”

Arts visuels de Gatineau, the non-profit arts organization behind the collective, has played a central role in promoting culture in the Gatineau and Outaouais regions since its incorporation in 1978. Headquartered in Aylmer, AVG is governed by a volunteer board whose members come from varied professional backgrounds but share a common goal: to nurture and elevate visual arts in the community.

“Our mandate has never changed,” said Groulx. “We’re here to support artists of all levels—from amateurs to seasoned professionals. This exhibition is part of that mission, giving our members an opportunity to shine while offering the public something both beautiful and thought-provoking.”

AVG’s membership includes amateur, emerging, semi-professional, and professional artists, as well as artisans. The organization promotes local culture through exhibitions, workshops, and partnerships with other regional institutions. It also offers a suite of services to its members, including training opportunities and artist promotion.

All artworks in the current exhibition, with few exceptions, will be available for purchase. Visitors can contact the individual artists directly for acquisition. While guided tours and other cultural programming are expected during Quebec’s Journées de la culture weekend near the end of September, a full schedule will be released at a later date.

Espace Pierre-Debain is open weekdays from 1 pm to 8 pm and weekends from noon to 4 pm. Admission to the exhibition is free, and no reservations are required.

“This is not a show to rush through,” said Groulx. “Take your time, and you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation of what we have and what we stand to lose.”