Exhibit your artwork at Galerie 815!

In 1983, the Conseil des Arts de Hearst (CAH) reached a respectable cruising speed. This young organization, whose mandate is to promote arts and culture, is gradually taking its place in the Hearst community. The Programmation plays an essential role in promoting the performing arts to meet the tastes and needs of the people. However, a whole dimension of cultural life remains in the shadows. Visual artists do not have the visibility of their dreams. There are no art galleries in the area. The directors of the time desire to fullfill this need but the funds are lacking to consider the possibility of setting up such a project. The process also involved a significant amount of time. The CAH, which had only one permanent employee, needed more staff to move forward in this area.

 

One of the directors is being replaced in order to devote particular energy to this. In addition to looking for a suitable space, she first had to find funds to pay the rent and staff to keep the Galerie open to the public. She never despairs because "It is by searching that we find." Mr. Raoul Vaillancourt and his wife, Alice, made a dream come true. They put at the disposal of the CAH an office located at 815 Edward Street. This space, an unexpected gift, was a garage that had been used as a carpentry workshop and showroom on two occasions. The walls are large, and you can hammer nails into them! Moreover, Mr. and Mrs. Vaillancourt are relaxed about the rent. The CAH could not find a more understanding owner.

 

The first exhibition took place in December 1983. A vernissage is a new and intriguing event: the public's response is encouraging. This month devoted to the works of Mr. Clément Bérini is an excellent springboard. Some paintings are sold: everyone is happy. It remains to solve the question of the reception hours. Some hours are entrusted to the employee, while the others are filled by a group of volunteers who take turns according to a schedule established each week. Programming, i.e. a monthly exhibition, is set.

 

With its location close to the schools and easily accessible, the CAH boldly implements educational programming. Although modest, the participation of the two school boards is a form of funding that is assured.

 

The garage officially becomes Gallery 815. Mr. Vaillancourt installs new lighting, and carpeting on the floor and covers the walls with burlap, so the nail holes are no longer visible! The assemblies are doubly facilitated. Unfortunately, what had to happen happened. After a few months of enthusiasm, the volunteers start to find this role heavy. To make up for the need for a stable presence at the gallery, the directors had to rearrange the interior to accommodate the new situation. A wall was built, allowing for office and gallery space. A large window replaced the garage door.

 

The gallery was located at 815 Edward Street until the spring of 1990, then it moved to the Centre communautaire et culturel des Chevaliers de Colomb de Hearst, now called Place des Arts de Hearst, since October 2010.