The Plateau is one of Montreal’s busiest and most touristy neighborhoods, yet it’s full of places that Montrealers don’t know about. Passers-by probably walk past dozens of buildings every day without knowing what’s going on inside. However, the streets hide creative spaces to occupy weekends, whether solo or in a group.
In the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal, a multidisciplinary center for all audiences: Le Livart.
Le Livart is an innovative space designed to democratize art. It includes a gallery, artists’ studios, an art school, an events room and a boutique. The gallery is open free of charge from Thursday to Sunday, giving visitors the opportunity to discover current exhibitions. As part of the exhibitions, Livart organizes workshops for all ages to express their creativity. All summer long, the art center presents Bleu Soir: open-air cinema evenings in collaboration with Cinéma Public. For those in a festive mood, Livart produces AUBE evenings dedicated to electronic music several times a year. Le Livart’s 9-week summer art day camps introduce children aged 4 to 12 to a variety of artistic mediums and trends. During this fun, interactive week, children discover the visual and cultural universe of renowned artists.
Photos: Lens Flare Smith / Katya Konioukhova
Creative activities :
Café La Chouette
This café-biscuiterie is the ideal place for those with a sweet tooth. Not only can you enjoy hot beverages, but you can also decorate personalized cookies. These come in a variety of shapes and colors.
Gallery Parfois
This art center is an inclusive space that invites everyone to engage with art. In addition to exhibitions, the gallery organizes weekly live model drawing sessions. Gallery Parfois regularly posts session dates on Instagram.
For lively evenings:
Quai des brumes
This bar like no other introduces new artists every evening, so there’s something for everyone, whatever your musical tastes. Art lovers can join in too, as vernissages and open-mic evenings are sometimes held in the bar.
Café Orr
This café prides itself on its local produce. But what makes Café Orr unique is its film programming! Although they screen mainstream films, their selection doesn’t stop there: they also present films featuring local actors and filmmakers.
Art galleries:
L’USINE 106U
In 2006, the project was to last just one week in the attic of record store Paul’s Boutique, but in view of its success, L’USINE 106U is still a self-managed art gallery presenting monthly group shows by some thirty artists. Its mandate is to break down the barriers between the public and artists, be they hierarchical, intellectual or monetary.
La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse
Dedicated to the dissemination and development of multi-disciplinary feminist practices, La Centrale is an artist-run center committed to supporting practices and artists that are less visible in mainstream cultural institutions. Various events are organized, including round tables, conferences, food sharing and artistic performances.
L’Original
The perfect place for lovers of street art and second-hand art. This gallery offers the chance to meet artists in their studios, and to enjoy their thrift shop space, in which the ecological aspect of recycling objects is fundamental. The heart of this NPO is to promote the work of committed street artists. From abstract to surrealism to pop culture, the paintings represent the whole spectrum of urban art.
Projet Casa
Originally a bourgeois home, then a private hospital and later a bed & breakfast, Casa Bianca, built in the early 20th century, is now home to Projet Casa. In Montreal’s architectural landscape, the house stands out above all for its rare cladding. Glazed terracotta was rarely used in residential construction here. Their mission is to host the practices of emerging artists who are not represented in galleries. Projet Casa is very dynamic, offering a rich program and numerous exhibitions per year (around ten).
This abundance of creative spaces reveals an unsuspected artistic wealth that has been shaping the Plateau Mont-Royal for years. These spaces interweave art and community. They offer not only captivating exhibitions and festive events, but also spaces for creation and expression that are essential to the Montreal art scene.
Text by: Ekaterina Yakovleff