« Ensemble », the creative project that brings people together for the 30th anniversary of L’Éclaircie

On last Thursday afternoon, the Centre communautaire L’Éclaircie unveiled a collective creation created by participants and a local artist.

Displayed in the window of the Jean Coutu pharmacy in Cap-aux-Meules, the work also celebrates the organization’s 30th anniversary.

Its director, Rachelle Leblanc, explains that the project was born with the goal of continuing to offer artistic workshops to its clientele to help them express themselves in ways other than words and to improve their self-esteem.

In addition to reflecting the collective work behind the painting, its title, Ensemble! echoes the way in which the organization was built.

Leblanc says participants were initially skeptical when the idea was presented to them, but the open-ended format reassured many.

Two of them, Johanne Richard and Gilles Desroches, confirm that they were not very enthusiastic about the idea, but that their fears quickly dissipated.

The group was accompanied by artist Geneviève Reesör at the rate of one creative meeting per week since September.  She indicates that the work was built from scratch by the participants, who wanted to incorporate symbolic elements.

The painting will be on display for three months in the pharmacy’s window, says Rachelle Leblanc, who adds that several activities are planned to celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary.

She points out that the project was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Réseau de partenaires en développement social des Îles.