Art
Beloved monastery was place of beauty and healing, say devastated musicians, artists
As the flames leaping from the Monastère du Bon-Pasteur in downtown Montreal die down and the smoke abates, Montreal’s music and art communities are mourning the loss of one of the city’s most cherished cultural spaces.
The heritage building near the corner of Sherbrooke and de Bullion streets housed a seniors’ residence, a housing co-operative, a daycare and condominiums.
It has also been home to one of Montreal’s most revered classical music venues.
For over three decades, the monastery’s 120-seat chapel has played host to hundreds of concerts a year, many by emerging classical musicians. The chapel is “at the heart” of Montreal’s cultural heritage, said its artistic director, Simon Blanchet.
“It’s a tragedy,” he said.
“We’re devastated because the Bon-Pasteur chapel is a really important place for music and concerts in Montreal. It’s been a springboard for many artists,” said Blanchet.
“It’s traumatizing for everyone in the music scene. Everyone is in shock.”
Although much of the building is in ruins right now, Blanchet is counting on the city to step in to salvage the chapel and protect its place in the city’s heritage.
Prix d’Europe scrambles to find new venue
The 111th edition of the Prix d’Europe — a week-long competition for young musicians with a scholarship prize of $50,000 — was set to be held at the chapel in 10 days. Organizers are now scrambling to find a new venue.
Lise Boucher, the head of the Académie de musique du Québec, the non-profit group that sponsors that competition, describes the chapel as a “beautiful” space where musicians have always been “warmly received.”
She said she hopes the competition will return there some day.
“For the whole cultural and musical scene of Montreal, it’s a huge loss — even if they repair, rebuild or renovate,” Boucher said. “It will surely be closed for several months.”
For the past 30 years, the building has also been headquarters for Les Impatients, an organization that provides a space where people with mental health issues can engage in artistic expression.
“It’s almost like a second home,” said Frédéric Palardy, the organization’s executive director. “They meet with people. They have a safe space. There’s no judgment.”
Palardy says the fire caused irreparable damage, consuming a large collection of artwork created by the 130 participants at Les Impatients.
“We lost everything,” he said.
Sketch artist and sculptor Brooks Hughes, one of the people that has found refuge in art at Les Impatients, said he was last there yesterday morning.
Hughes, who has a history of depression which is now under control, has been creating works of art there for the past nine years. As a person with reduced mobility, he said otherwise, he doesn’t get out much.
“It’s very close to home,” he said. “It’s devastating for a whole lot of people who don’t have anywhere to go.”
“We’re like a little community. We do artwork and we joke,” he said.
“My greatest concern is for the people I consider as part of my family and where they’re going to go. Will the group stay together? That has upset me the most,” said Hughes.
Hughes is determined not to give into despair.
He said he and his fellow artists will continue to heal himself through the power of art, wherever the next studio opens its doors.
CBC’s Rowan Kennedy explains what’s left in the aftermath of Thursday’s destructive blaze.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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