CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE July 20, 2018
On July 20, around a dozen local and visiting artists held a vernissage at Art Brûlant & Impressions in Shawville, showcasing the skills they had been cultivating throughout the week.
Part of the eighth annual Pontiac Artists’ Residency Project, the week-long program brought out artists from across Quebec and Ontario to commune with local artisans and create works as a group.
“There were nine visiting artists and six hosts,” explained organizer Valerie Bridgeman. “There were probably, on average, six or eight local artists that participated as well.”

Over the course of the week, the group took part in a wide range of activities, from learning acrylic pouring to mounting watercolour works without glass to painting on the beach. Most nights ended with potluck dinners with local hosts.
“I’ve had a lot of positive remarks from people, having the opportunity to get away from home and make art uninterrupted,” Bridgeman said. “At home, you may think, ‘Oh, I have the week off.’ But there’s the laundry, there’s the telephone and all the things that keep you from focusing on what you might like to be doing. It’s great to go away from home, meet new people.”
Gloria Burgoin, who hails from near Hamilton, Ont., said that she found out about the project through an email.
“I’ve never been to this part of Quebec before,” she said. “Everything we did was different. There were lots of things I’ve never tried before.”