With the support of the Quebec government, Culture Montérégie presents the eight artists who will be taking part in the nationwide Vitrine Virtuelle Montérégienne (VVM) project starting September 11. Among them is Elsie Morin from L'Île-Perrot. 

After analyzing the applications, a jury of peers selected Elsie Morin (aerial dance), Geneviève Cadieux-Langlois (visual arts), Gabrielle Desmarais (contemporary jewelry), Janou-Eve LeGuerrier (illustration), Joanie Papillon (performing arts), Catherine Savoie (musical theater), Carl Veilleux (giant puppet) and Roman Zavada (piano).  

Local artist Elsie Morin describes herself as follows: 

I have a bachelor's degree in physical education and a certificate in dance from the Université de Montréal. I work in circus on a rotating pole. I create an acrobatic ensemble, but much more than that, I create an exchange between artists and audience by pushing the limits of kinetic and visual poetry. 

During this residency, I hope to continue my creative process by developing the infinite possibilities of the rotating pole. I'd like to create a more expansive and enveloping visual environment, and bring the viewer with me into an immersive experience. Are you ready to shoot? 

What is VVM? 

Vitrine Virtuelle Montérégienne offers creative residencies in a 3D virtual environment, during which artists present their artistic approach and their research and creation process through the production of works. 

Lasting 8 weeks, VVM will bring these Montérégie artists face-to-face with the public, giving them an opportunity to go behind the scenes of creation. People will be able to grasp the intention behind an artistic process, witness the research, see the evolution of the works and appreciate their realization. The aim is to attract a new audience to local art by bringing artists into the daily lives of citizens. 

To set up this project, Culture Montérégie sought financial support from the Government of Quebec as part of the Rayonnement de la culture québécoise program ($495,000), as well as media support from Québecor. 

"The best part is that thanks to Quebecor's various media platforms, many of us from all over Quebec will be able to follow these 8 artists during the eight weeks of this virtual residency. Thank you to the Quebec government for making such a project possible!" says Nancy Bélanger, Executive Director of Culture Montérégie. 

"The Rayonnement de la culture québécoise program, which supports large-scale collective promotional initiatives and large-scale projects, contributes to the development and promotion of Quebec culture and its offerings throughout the province. It also facilitates the visibility, discoverability and stimulation of demand for Québec cultural content and products, as well as the artists and artisans who offer them," explains Shirley Dorismond, MNA for Marie-Victorin and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Social Services.