Ange and her daughter on the road to the exhibitions

Every year, at the dawn of spring, I feel the hope of new beginnings as the snowdrifts melt away. Through the greyness of April and the gentleness of May, two exhibitions that make you dream of the flowering season caught my eye.

The Marius B. Museum, in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce, the site is immediately appealing, with its impeccably preserved ancestral buildings in the heart of the Beauce valley. Founded in honour of ethnologist Marius Barbeau, the museum helps to promote the region’s rich cultural heritage.

We began our visit with an exhibition by Ontario artist Bill Vincent (link in french), who has created a unique herbarium. His hyper-realistic paintings of botanical specimens show the fragility of living things, their transformation and seasonal cycles. These delicate works are both intriguing and surprising.

The second exhibition presents some rare pieces from a private collection: Trésors de Céramique de Beauce (link in french). For half a century, this company – at the same time a national ceramics school founded by the Quebec government – has nurtured the talent of some of the most daring ceramists of their time. My daughter and I were touched by the remarkable skill and originality of these Beauce artisans. A wonderful discovery!

Then it’s off to the Espace culturel du quartier Saint-Nicolas to meet Karine Locatelli, a Levis artist whose work I particularly appreciate. As part of Manif d’art 12 at the Biennale de Québec, her multidisciplinary creations present fragments of the Quebec winter landscape (link in french), where the return of living nature comforts and soothes.

Her drawings immerse us in the gentleness of a wild environment. Blueberry-stained paper, piles of white and grey quilts reminiscent of a late-winter snowbank, and dandelions emerging from a mound of dry grass are reminders of the ephemeral nature of the landscape. As always, the finesse, sensitivity and poetry that emanate from his works are truly captivating.

Before heading home, we made one last stop at Alicia Sanchezto pick up some of their delicious aperitif options: lonza with fennel and orange, burrata with artichokes, pesto and tomato confit, warm olives and bbq cashews. The promise of the return of the picnic season is the perfect complement to this beautiful afternoon ode to spring!

Photos: Ange Hébert-Corriveau