On August 26, the Youth Mural was officially unveiled in Pointe-des-Cascades, in the presence of artist Madeleine Turgeon, Julie Lemieux, Mayor of Très-Saint-Rédempteur and President of the CACVS, and a number of children from the day camps, who were visibly pleased to have taken part.

The mural was made possible thanks to the Cultural and Digital Innovation Program (PICN) set up through the Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS).

Kevin's story

As a nice anecdote, Madeleine Turgeon tells the story of Kevin, as a participant in the work. Kevin, a 14-year-old child with special needs, was too old to attend day camp. "Every morning, I saw him in the park. I told him, 'Come to the community center'. He came with his mother; he came to paint and every morning he would encourage me and say, 'It's beautiful'. It's nice the feeling of changing someone's life".

A unifying work

"There were even a few visitors who came by during our work sessions and added their own touch to the work," says Turgeon, who brings the project together. "In fact, all the ideas for the composition of the work, such as the heron or the monarch, came from the day campers. All those who participated in the work also had their names inscribed under the vignette, if they so wished."

Julie Lemieux, President of the CACVS, was present at the unveiling and told us: "This is a very beautiful work, and it was wonderful to see these little 'bouilles' with such a look of pride in their eyes," in connection, of course, with their participation in the work.

Madeleine Turgeon, the artist responsible for the work as a whole, thanked Simone Vandette for assisting her on several very hot days, the youngsters from the day camps, the animators from the Académie des jeunes sportifs and the municipality of Pointe-des-Cascades, especially the Public Works employees.

Madeleine Turgeon is a multidisciplinary artist from Saint-Lazare renowned not only for her talent, but also for her strong commitment to preserving the environment and her passion for sharing her art with as many people as possible, especially young people.