Ateliers Belleville celebrated its grand opening with three memorable days, from June 11 to 13, marking the start of a new chapter for this creative hub in the heart of the Chabanel district. From the very first evening, an opening cocktail brought the community together to kick off the festivities, accompanied by speeches from our partners, essential to the creation and dissemination of the project. Over the course of the three days, more than 1,000 people walked through the doors of the Ateliers, drawn by the excitement surrounding this new project. Among them were many neighborhood residents who came to discover this space now part of their immediate surroundings, creating a valuable connection between the Ateliers and the local community. Visitors were able to enjoy a varied program: creative workshops led by members, exclusive guided tours of LAB-545 led directly by the co-directors, a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of the space through the eyes of those who shaped it. The exhibition of members' works also drew its share of visitors, offering an inspiring glimpse into the diversity and quality of the creative work taking place within the Ateliers.
Each evening, the grand opening also unfolded in collaboration with the Sight&Sound festival, founded by artist-run centre Eastern Bloc, a partner and close collaborator of the Ateliers. From June 11 to 13, the Black Box hosted immersive performances blending sound and image; new artist duos took turns offering unique creations, designed specifically for each evening, immersing visitors in a different sensory experience every time.
Beyond the activities and encounters, this grand opening was also the occasion to unveil two important new developments for Ateliers Belleville. A new visual identity, along with a brand-new website, was presented to the public, marking a turning point in how the organization presents itself and communicates with its community. This work was carried out in collaboration with Étienne Murphy, a graphic designer from Montreal currently based in New York, and Farah Louiza on web development, who ensured this identity was carried through to a brand-new website.
Radio Belleville 545 kHz was also officially launched, a project that gives voice to the artists, artisans, cultural workers, and people who gravitate around the space. Beyond live broadcasting, 545kHz aims to become a living sound archive of Ateliers Belleville. Between the hands-on workshops, immersive tours, group exhibition, major launches, and these spellbinding nighttime performances, this grand opening captured the very essence of Ateliers Belleville: a lively, welcoming space firmly turned toward creation and sharing. These three days were only the beginning: they herald a season rich in projects, encounters, and creativity in the months to come.
And thank you to our dear sponsors for keeping us refreshed throughout the festivities!
We would also like to thank our valued partners, without whom this project would not have the scope it has today. We wish to express our deep gratitude to everyone who took part in this project and who lent their support throughout every step of the process.
Thanks to all our visitors and donors, more than $17,000 was raised during our campaign with La Ruche, which will help develop our services for emerging artists.
