MONTREAL, DECEMBER 18, 2025 — Fonderie Darling is pleased to announce the completion of its cultural mediation project carried out in collaboration with Dans la Rue. This two-year initiative strengthened Fondrie Darling’s educational mission by forging lasting ties with young people experiencing housing insecurity who are supported by Dans la Rue, while also consolidating the organization’s commitment to the Ville-Marie neighbourhoods.
Designed and led by visual artist and musician Philippe Battikha, the project aimed to offer a series of participatory artistic activities that promote creative expression, well-being, and the building of trusting relationships. The approach allowed for a better understanding of the community served and established an ongoing dialogue through accessible and inclusive artistic practices.
In two years, 48 community activities were carried out, supported by 9 guest artists, directly reaching 576 participants and 40 indirect participants. The first year featured 20 workshops, including button making, screen printing, lithography, cyanotype, ceramics, and outdoor painting. The second year featured 28 workshops, ranging from stencilling to charcoal drawing, from creating musical instruments to making puppets, as well as moulding, guided tours, and meetings with professional artists such as Jézabel Plamondon, Sophie P-Voyer, Kuh Del Rosario, and Ayam Yaldo.
This program had a tangible social impact: it provided spaces for free expression, encouraged collective reflection through art, and opened up employment opportunities through the TRALAJ program run by Dans la Rue. Fonderie Darling warmly thanks Dans la Rue, the artists, and the participants for their commitment and trust.
Watch the video clip here:
This program was made possible through the “MTL Cultural Mediation” program of the Montreal Cultural Development Agreement, jointly managed by the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications and the City of Montreal, and thanks to a generous donation from the Apricus Foundation for Fonderie Darling’s Mediation Studio.