The Art Gallery AU is located in Matagami in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James.
It is the first regional art gallery.
Here you will discover the works of professional or emerging artists and artisans from the region!
Also, take the opportunity to enjoy a good time in our café space open to all located inside the Gallery! We look forward to introducing you to the art and creations from here!
The origin of the name of the Gallery The word "AU" is inspired by two meanings; The first refers to the mining domain and the periodic table of elements. Gold, which is the chemical element with atomic number 79, bears the symbol AU. This symbol is formed by the first two letters of the Latin word aurum. The second one draws on oral language to move towards written language. The word "eau" refers to the definition of the name of our city in Cree: Matagami = the meeting of the WATERS (AU).
The history of the Gallery This innovative project led by Radio Matagami is part of the artistic fervor present in the region for several years. To come to fruition, this project required a complete exterior and interior renovation of the premises located in the building "Le Jamésien," at the entrance of the city on Boulevard Matagami. In an artistic and cultural tangent, the City of Matagami's development service had the crazy, or rather avant-garde idea of having a place where one could admire all kinds of artworks created by artists and artisans from Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. A promoter was sought to carry out the project, and Radio Matagami stepped up. With a mandate to promote culture, the art gallery will allow it to promote artists through a medium other than radio waves. Thus was born the Art Gallery AU. The team consists of Mr. Daniel Cliche, President of Radio Matagami, Ms. Marie-Ève C. Gallant, General Manager of Radio Matagami, Mr. Hector Savoie in technical support, and Ms. Stéfanie Thompson, professional artist-painter and project manager. Together, they imagined, structured, and realized all the stages of this wonderful project. Access to exhibition space is essential to improve the quality of life of communities. Culture is considered a transformative agent in communities, an indispensable factor for development in its entirety. It is essential to give greater importance to the arts and culture to offer stimulating and creative living environments. This project has longevity and real long-term impact potential. It will significantly contribute to improving the quality of life of artistic actors in the region and the discoverability of their creations.
Submission of Applications: Only artists and artisans residing in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, whether Cree or Jamesians, will be able to submit their application to be part of the list of artists and artisans exhibited permanently at the Gallery. Accepted artistic disciplines include visual arts, crafts, installations, digital arts, multidisciplinary arts, film/video, theatrical performances, music, literature, and storytelling. Applicants can submit their applications via email to: galerie.au@gmail.com. A selection committee will analyze each of the received applications based on the following selection criteria: the professionalism of the artist/artisan, the quality and originality of the work and artistic approach, and the presentation of the application. The committee will meet twice a year to accept permanent artists/artisans. The committee reserves the right to invite non-permanent artists to exhibit temporarily. Artists and artisans will have the choice to sell their works or not. The Art Gallery AU will receive 15% + square fees on sales. The proceeds will be used to cover the operating costs of the Gallery. (For further information, here is the detailed description of all artistic disciplines according to CALQ: https://www.calq.gouv.qc.ca/aide-financiere/outils-et-references/disciplines-artistiques)
Opening hours of the Gallery and Café: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8am to 1pm.
Possibility to rent the Gallery for special events.