More than thirty people, parents and friends gathered this Tuesday at the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (CJE-VS) for the opening of the annual Vocation en art exhibition.

With the aim of raising participants' awareness of the realities of artistic vocation by offering them the opportunity to experience a group exhibition, the 2024 edition of Vocation en art, brings together 17 artists aged 15 to 35 and residing in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region.

“Our mission at CJE-VS is to help young people develop their full potential, and Vocation en art fits perfectly into our mission. The program allows young artists to develop their talent, explore and experiment, and who knows, maybe aim for a career in the arts,” said CJE-VS Executive Director Jessica Myre.

The Vocation en art 2024 exhibition features works in styles as varied as the mediums used by the artists. While some prefer painting on canvas, others prefer drawing with pencil, digital drawing, collage, weaving, pastel, alcohol ink and even jewelry. 

Guests at the opening also had the honor of seeing a work created live before their eyes by artist Maxime Gomes.

“Since its creation in 2012, Vocation en art has always been much more than just an exhibition. It's a springboard, a platform where young creators can express themselves, experiment and share their vision of the world with the public. Each year, we are privileged to discover works marked by boldness, innovation and an authenticity that bears witness to the concerns, hopes and dreams of today's youth,” notes Stéphanie Gagnon, youth advisor and project manager at CJE-VS.

Young people in the 2024 cohort have the privilege of accessing a national component of Vocation en art, as more than 250 artists from across Quebec come together for a virtual exhibition. “Young people also have access to online training on topics such as artist status, how to make a success of an exhibition, how to put together an artist's portfolio, and more. This component also gives them the opportunity to exchange ideas and make themselves known throughout the province,” adds Ms. Gagnon. 

The public is invited to visit the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Vaudreuil-Soulanges in Vaudreuil-Dorion to not only discover the works, but also vote for their favorite piece. 

“People can come to the CJE-VS during opening hours to vote. The winner of the Coup de Coeur prize will receive a $200 bursary. Another bursary of the same amount will be awarded by the jury,” explains Ms. Myre.

The jury for the 2024 edition of Vocation en art is made up of Mélissa Gagné, cultural coordinator for the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Frédéric Deschamps, art teacher at Cégep de Valleyfield, and Isabelle Turcotte, artist and owner of L'ÉFAIT art school.

“I congratulate the exhibiting artists for their exceptional work and for their courage in sharing a part of themselves with us through their art. It's an honor to be able to celebrate their talent,” added Ms. Gagnon.