Faire Surface 2 : Discovering Printed Arts

As part of its mission to promote cultural mediation and accessibility to printmaking, Atelier Circulaire continues its “Faire surface” project for a second consecutive year (2024-2025).

This initiative, carried out in collaboration with three Montreal-based organizations — École Le Sommet/Summit School, L’Astérisk, and Club Ami — allowed six groups of young people and adults to explore the exhibitions presented at the gallery while getting introduced to printmaking techniques through creative and inclusive workshops (space 517).

The series of activities began with École Le Sommet/Summit School, which participated in a zine-making workshop using screen printing, led by Dominique Desbiens. The participants explored the combination of collages and drawings. Later, the group returned to discover the Me to You, You to Me exhibition, a project that exchanged works between Montreal and Korean artists.

Next, L’Astérisk participated in a guided tour and a mediation workshop centered on the same Me to You, You to Me exhibition, led by Sylvestre Lefrançois-Sabourin and Le Lin. In the spring, around twenty participants returned to create colorful postcards using risography in a workshop hosted by Le Lin.

Finally, in the spring, Atelier Circulaire welcomed the third and final partner organization, Club Ami, for a gallery visit and exploration of the Fraktur Fire and Elemental Inventories exhibition by Jason Urban and Leslie Mutchler. During a mediation activity, the participants discussed protective objects, such as talismans, present in different cultures. A few weeks later, another group from the same organization returned for a stamp-making workshop. Led by Reid Jenkins, this activity allowed participants to print their signatures or meaningful images using laser cutting and engraving techniques.

The exhibition of the participants’ creations, which will be held at Espace 517 at Atelier Circulaire from June 5 to 14, with an opening reception on June 6, 2025, will conclude the initiative. The meetings organized as part of “Faire surface” strengthened the connections between the participants, artists, and works of art, while providing a space for expression and reflection on printmaking. This project enriched exchanges and stimulated the creativity of all those involved. Atelier Circulaire warmly thanks the partner organizations, the artist facilitators, and all the participants for their invaluable contribution.