I first heard about the Montreal Art Center when a friend invited me to go and see a stand-up comedy show there. The show was okay, but what really caught my attention was the space itself. After the show, I wandered around the building and was intrigued by every nook and cranny. I also had an uncanny experience with a painting I saw there that made me question the concept of ‘coincidence’. Ask me about it, when you see me.
The Montreal Art Center is a lot of things. First and foremost, it’s all about art, of course. It offers local artists the opportunity to rent affordable studio spaces where they can work and display their art. In the cosy salon, you can consult art books from their library. They also offer regular painting and (nude) drawing workshops and courses.
The building also has historical significance in the development of industrial Griffintown, where the center is located. One of the rooms in the building is dedicated to that history. It is literally filled to the top with beautiful black and white photographs that show the development of Griffintown neighbourhood.
The Montreal Art Center is very close to Canal Lachine, so it makes for a perfect stop during a bike ride or a walk. If your nature is rather ‘lazy’, the closest metro is Georges-Vanier on the orange line.
