Montréal, November 21, 2023 — The Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM), the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec (MEQ) through its program A Montréal School for All (AMSFA), and Communication-Jeunesse (CJ) are pleased to announce that Laurie Forest-Lechasseur, Isabelle Verdier and Joan Sénéchal are the recipients of in-school residencies in Montréal.
The three creators will have the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience in children’s literature with dozens of primary school students. Each of these residencies comes with a $10,000 grant, with the CAM and AMSFA each contributing $5,000.
The following mediation projects will be offered to students:
Laurie Forest-Lechasseur’s residency will take place at École Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (CSSMB).
Students participating in the project will learn how to create their own comic strip and will be able to unleash their creativity through the discovery of a mysterious island. The illustrator will guide them through the creative process from the story to the illustrations, ending with the assembly of the completed work. The artist’s aim is to create a space where students can build confidence in their ideas, improve their self-esteem and discover new ways of creating, since all ways are valid!
Isabelle Verdier will work with students at École Sainte-Claire (CSSDM),with the help of her series Les Pamal, which features flawed characters in a warm and humorous way. The mediation activities led by the creator will encourage students to reflect on who they are (exploring their inner self, their strengths and challenges, etc.), ask questions, develop and express their opinions and ideas, and create new characters that are perfectly imperfect. The project will culminate in the creation of their own album, whose character and story will help each student understand that being imperfect is a strength that should be recognized and appreciated.
École Wilfrid-Bastien (CSSPI) will host Joan Sénéchal. His project will focus on the concept of zero waste. Students will share their opinions, misconceptions and questions about it. The creator will work with them to process their ideas, from sharing their thoughts to searching for what already exists. Students will make their ideas concrete by designing posters (paper, collage, model, etc.) on a subtopic of their choice. Through this residency, the creator hopes to boost the social and environmental commitment of young people, hone their ability to seek information and stimulate their creativity around this incredibly important topic.
These residencies, which will take place from February to April 2024, are a great opportunity for children’s authors and illustrators and their readers to connect.
This unique project in Quebec provides an opportunity for youth to learn about literary creation while developing a special connection with the selected authors and illustrators. In return, these creators will benefit from the meetings made possible by their literary mediation projects, which will undoubtedly enrich their creative work.
About Communication-Jeunesse
Communication-Jeunesse is a cultural association whose mission is to promote reading and children’s literature from Quebec and French Canada by supporting children’s writers and illustrators. Since 1971, Communication-Jeunesse has been working to support new literary works and make them accessible to youth in Quebec.
About the Une école montréalaise pour tous program
The Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur’s A Montréal School for All support program aims to ensure the academic success and perseverance of all disadvantaged Montréal students, particularly in a multi-ethnic context.
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For information about this residency, contact:
Célia Bénard, Project Manager, Communication-Jeunesse
c.benard@cjqc.ca
