The Collectif has accomplished its mission.
After 10 years, the Glengarry Artists’ Collective, better known as simply the Collectif, will be ending activities in September 2026.
The Collectif began in October 2016 when 12 artists met in Bobi Leutschaft-Poitras’ living room with the idea to establish an artistic community and promote visual art in Glengarry.
“There was nothing else in town,” said Yvonne Calloway, one of the artists who has remained a part of the Collectif since the beginning.
During the past decade, the Collectif has presented 91 different events and activities including 29 art shows, along with various fundraisers and sales, school mural projects, and more than 500 website posts.
The Collectif is a not-for-profit assembly of artists engaging with residents to create community-building programs focused on personal growth and community growth in art, and to make art accessible.
During its tenure, the Collectif has won an award from Community Living North Glengarry for inclusion, and an award from the Township of North Glengarry for Community Service.
Just before the COVID19 pandemic began in 2020, membership in the Collectif peaked at more than 90 members but has slowly declined since. However, the Collectif is not lamenting this decline. The group sees it as a sign that their activities laid a foundation for an art community that has flourished in Glengarry.
“Now, there’s more representation,” Calloway said.
As examples, Glen Robertson now has an art group, there is a gallery at the Priest’s Mill Arts Centre in Alexandria, the Encore Photo Club is holding its second show this year on May 2 and 3, and the Glengarry Hub has just opened on Main Street in Alexandria.
“More art activities are happening for younger people, and for older people,” Calloway remarked.
During its final months, the Collectif is continuing to hold a series of events. On April 17 and 18, it held its final Big Show at the Community Living building in Alexandria with 45 artists participating with 120 works. The Big Show also included art by individuals involved with Community Living. The People’s Choice Award, where attendees vote for their favourite work of art on display, has always been a highlight of The Big Show. This year, the winner of the People’s Choice Award was Reclaimed Radiance, an acrylic on driftwood painting by Michelle O’Connor. The Collectif will also be holding other shows in June and August.
The Collectif thanks all of its board members over the years; local businesses and sponsors; municipalities and museums; donors, art appreciators (and buyers). And, of course, our members.
The Collectif is concluding with a feeling of success in making art better known in Glengarry.
“It’s opened people’s minds,” Calloway said.
Photos: James Morgan, unless stated
