Chantal Séguin, curator of exhibitions at the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, and the organization Théâtre de la Pièce cassée, both received the annual Mérite patrimonial award, recognizing the exceptional work of Vaudreuil-Soulanges organizations and individuals in promoting heritage.

This year, the members of a jury made up of Nadine Maltais, Executive Director of the CACVS, Elizabeth Clarke, member of the Museum's Board of Directors, Sébastien Daviau, Curator of Collections and Research, and Daniel Bissonnette, General Manager of the Museum, recommended the awarding of two annual Heritage Merit Prizes.

The winners were announced at the Museum's Annual General Meeting on April 24. As part of this public recognition, the CACVS is awarding a $500 bursary to each of the two recipients of the 2024 Award.

The annual Mérite patrimonial 2024 award, in the individual category, went to Chantal Séguin. Her contribution to the cultural vitality of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, notably through her many achievements in museum education and the dissemination of visual arts, caught the attention of the jury members. 

Since 2000, over 75,000 young participants have benefited from unique learning experiences involving history, heritage and the visual arts. Her professionalism, exceptional creativity and constant adaptability have made the Educational Services of the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges a benchmark.

In addition, Ms. Séguin's contribution as an exhibition curator, enabling the dissemination, support and promotion of our region's visual artists, cannot be overlooked. In addition, her team spirit, innate talents as a teacher and mentor, and exemplary sense of commitment are noted on a daily basis.

Chantal Séguin is also recognized for her work as author of the children's album series, Les aventures de Cyprienne, which has made a tangible contribution to passing on the love of reading to thousands of children, while familiarizing them with various elements of the Museum's permanent collections and regional heritage.

On receiving the award, Nadine Maltais, Executive Director of the CACVS, addressed the winner: “Thank you and bravo for your remarkable dedication to the region's young people and to artists everywhere! You deserve all our admiration for these years of commitment.”

“It's important to have self-confidence, but to feel supported and backed by management and the Board of Directors is stimulating. What's more, with golden colleagues, loyal collaborators and partners, it's a pleasure to strive for excellence...", emphasized the recipient.

Théâtre de la pièce cassée takes top honors

The Théâtre de la Pièce cassée won the award in the organization category for its 2023 project, Léonise Valois - Une histoire que vraie, réinventée. 

This project, produced as part of the Conseil des arts de Montréal's Des ponts culturels, d'une rive à l'autre program, in partnership with the CACVS, demonstrated the judicious use of an interesting piece of literary heritage, combined with the spirit of a heritage site and the creative power of fiction.

Through this project, Théâtre de la Pièce cassée has created multiple positive spin-offs for young participants from Vaudreuil-Dorion day camps (initiation to the performing arts, encouragement of intellectual curiosity, awareness of the observation of our living environments and the development of our respective imaginations).

“This energy and creativity that you have given to heritage and history is precious and deserves to be highlighted. Your efforts will serve current and future generations of the community,” noted Nadine Maltais, CACVS General Manager. 

At the award ceremony, Philippe Gauthier, Artistic Director and Stage Director, said: “As an artist, we're always looking to challenge ourselves. What's interesting about the story is what's not there. He also thanked the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion, the CACVS, the Museum and the entire Théâtre de la Pièce cassée team."

Established in 1997, the annual Heritage Merit Award is presented by the Musée régional de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, in collaboration for the past eight years with the Conseil des arts et de la culture de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CACVS).

Its purpose is to publicly recognize the exceptional work of Vaudreuil-Soulanges organizations or individuals in promoting heritage.