Dear members of Quartier Éphémère,
Dear artists,
Dear audiences,
As I step into the role of General and Artistic Director after eight formative years at Fonderie Darling, I feel a deep sense of responsibility, gratitude, and excitement for what lies ahead. It is with honour, humility, and great respect for what has been built over the past three decades that I take on this position in an organization that plays a crucial role in defining our Montreal cultural identity and making our city shine internationally.
Over time, I have witnessed firsthand the magnetic power of Fonderie Darling—not only for artists as a dream platform for showcasing their work but also for audiences who are awed by the architectural beauty of this hybrid venue, which presents artworks and hosts artist residencies. In this vast industrial space, everything is about lived experience. The dynamic reciprocity between the spaces, the artworks, and the people who come to see them is at the heart of our vision and our unique curatorial approach.
As we open this new chapter, my commitment is both to honor the DNA of this remarkable institution and propel it into the future with renewed energy and purpose. Fonderie Darling will continue to be a space where artistic excellence meets bold experimentation, which speaks not only to the present moment but also to the future we wish to shape. I wish to build on this legacy by championing creativity and accessibility, as well as listening to the needs and expectations of artists whose vision is the guiding thread of our priorities.
In the face of current global challenges, sustainability is more than a guiding principle—it’s a necessity. In the context of this transition, I want to ask the following questions: How can we create more impact with the resources we already have? How can we create while protecting the environment and our living spaces and fighting precarity? How can we create a more inclusive space for diverse audiences, including groups that have been historically underrepresented in our cultural spaces? Together, as colleagues and institutions, let us combine our efforts, think differently, and offer the best conditions to artists and audiences. Let us envision a space that aligns with the changes to which we must collectively aspire.
Fonderie Darling and the new satellite space in Gaspésie—the Gare de Matapédia – Art and Community Centre—are spaces where diverse perspectives are heard and celebrated. Whether encouraging new voices or giving well-deserved recognition to those whose contributions demand it, our stance will always be one of originality, paired with a willingness to embrace all the complexities of our times through the language of artists we present. Visual art is not isolated from the contexts that produce it; it resonates with our realities and transforms them over time in subtle and sometimes more dramatic ways.
Our commitment to supporting artists, especially those from the local scene, remains unwavering. Fonderie Darling will continue to be a place where the vibrant creative energy of Montreal is nurtured and celebrated, and the coming years will aim to amplify our presence on the international stage through prestigious collaborations, in which the local and the global will intersect in meaningful and unexpected ways. Our core values—independent spirit, integrity, and the ability to stand out and adapt—will guide us through this phase of stabilization, refinement, and dissemination. I promise to uphold these values with unwavering determination and a discerning eye.
In conclusion, I extend my gratitude to Caroline Andrieux, a determined and visionary woman, for her trust and the extraordinary legacy she has bestowed on me. I also thank the Board of Directors for their support and encouragement in this new phase aimed at elevating the organization to its highest artistic, organizational, and human aspirations in a sustainable manner. Thanks to the collective intelligence and dynamism of the current team, I am confident in a bright future, driven by our shared passion for art, artists, and their power to shape the world.
Milly A. Dery