After more than a decade of planning, fundraising and a little something called the pandemic, Place des arts is about to open its doors for the first time on April 29.
The vision that has now come to fruition is that of the seven founding organizations, Carrefour francophone, Centre franco-ontarien de folklore, Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario, Éditions Prise de parole, Nuit sur l'étang, Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury.
The co-founders came together to find a place that could prove the heart of the francophone arts community in Sudbury, as well as a place for collaboration with the Anglophone arts community.
The project has faced plenty of challenges, from the construction delays, to the pandemic, to fundraising, and even the loss of Paulette Gagnon, the woman who many say saw the vision clearest.
But now, an open house on April 29 and 30 will welcome everyone to the space for their “housewarming celebration.”
An inauguration ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on April 29, followed by an invitation-only reception and the unveiling of a permanent art installation by Lise Beaudry.
Then, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., the general public is invited to stroll through Place des Arts as they please, with or without a guide. The event will feature art installations, art exhibitions, artist performances and DJs. You'll also be able to have a drink and a bite to eat at the Bistro.
Then Saturday April 30, the whole family can enjoy Place des arts with a scavenger hunt, face painting, storytelling, construction games, clowns, art exhibits and more.
You can reserve your spot for these events at the Place des Arts box office. Masks will be required inside the building, except when eating or drinking.
Also marking new beginnings is the new executive director, Jean-Gilles Pelletier, who will be taking over for Léo Therrien on April 25, just ahead of the grand opening.
Pelletier is the former executive director of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario. He had previously worked as the executive director of the Société Santé en Français, and as executive director of the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner of Ontario.
Pelletier is also a former executive director of the Centre francophone de Toronto (CFT), a multidisciplinary French-language service centre.
Pelletier told Sudbury.com that his work there was all encompassing, working to offer services that the diverse Francophone community there required, and hopes to bring that understanding of different communities to his work in Sudbury.
“I’m looking for a challenging job in an area that is really close to my heart, the arts, and I could not have asked for a better opportunity to do that,” said Pelletier. “It's just a real dream come true. At this point in my life, I'm looking at making a difference.”
As to the identity and vision he has for the arts centre, Pelletier said it will focus on the idea that to belong as a Francophone, all you need to do is interact with the French language.
“I think the identity is always in flux, I think it's an ebb and flow process. My sense is that we are Francophones when we act, when we interact, when we do something that speaks to our Francophonie.
“And, when Anglophones go to a play in French, they are a bit Francophonie. We need to make that extra step, to create that act of belonging to something that's bigger and greater than you. And that's when it happens, that's when the magic happens.”
Pelletier said as an institution, Place des arts needs to “provide as many of those opportunities as possible to the broadest and greatest number of people.”
Pelletier adds that there will be no lack of “French Flair” at the arts centre.
“There is no denying that the French flair is always going to be at the core of La Place, there is no doubt in my mind,” he said.
“But it's a French flair that will be open and welcoming, done so in a way that's not putting any obligations on individuals and communities, but provides opportunities and occasions for them to belong to something that's different, exciting, challenging and stimulating, that can enrich their life.”
He said he hopes his time at Place des arts will be punctuated by building community pride in the centre. “I think everyone in the community in Sudbury is also bound to be proud of this amazing, amazing achievement. And this community pride can be shared across cultural boundaries.”
For more information about Place des arts and its opening, click here.
