Local youth learn about Pontiac history, create art

Local youth learn about Pontiac history, create art

A joint project between MRC Pontiac and the Maison des Jeunes (MDJ) Youth Co-op is teaching young Pontiacers about the history of the region and multiple forms of artwork.

Above, from left: Desirée Tremblay Giroux, Emily-Ann Boisvert, Olivia Dyelle, Mia Soucie, Marianne Papineau, Erica Lance and artist Victoria Mestres-Laurin.

Members of the Youth Co-op are travelling to municipalities with the MRC’s five Tourism Information Stations, located in Bristol, Portage du Fort, L’Isle aux Allumettes, Alleyn et Cawood and Rapides des Joachims.

There, they will meet with a local historian and artist to learn about the history of the area and create some artwork to spruce up the stations. The artwork ranges from photo collages to paintings and tile mosaics.

MDJ coordinator Desirée Tremblay Giroux said that the project will last the length of the summer and she hoped the artwork would be on display by the end of August.
Part of the group was in Portage du Fort on Monday (August 2) to craft mosaics with bits of wood, glass and tile, each detailing an aspect of the community. The task was overseen by artist Victoria Mestres-Laurin.