Sand and Sun …Summer in the City!That’s right—Montréal finally has its urban beach.On the banks of the St. Lawrence, the magnificentClock Tower Beach adds a vacation atmosphere toOld Montréal. Chairs and parasols dot the finewhite sand, there’s a refreshing mist in the airand a breathtaking panorama at the placeto-befor summer tourists and Montréalerswho want to lie back and relax, although theswift river current precludes swimming. Thismajor project was carried out by ClaudeCormier + Associés, with a view to preservingthe area’s tranquility by cultivating asimple, serene and friendly atmosphere.Yours to Discoverat Clock Tower Beach…La Buvette par Apollo: A gastronomic treatmade for the beach by famed chef GiovanniApollo. Friends and families come by to enjoydrinks and a summer-inspired healthy menuthat’s imaginative yet simple and affordable,day or evening.Homard des Îles and Porchetta: Who doesn’t lovestreet food? There’s a reason to love it even more herewith MUVBOX and its mission of environmental responsibility.That means green and recycled materials, solarpanels, local products and eco-responsible practices. Enjoythe classic lobster rolls and porchetta sandwiches.Art and Cultural Events: To help you stretch out the fun and the longsummer days, as you stretch your legs in the warm sand!12
The Art of Collecting ArtAccès culture’s Collectionner program last spring drew 16,000 visitors curiousfor a look into the world of art collection. Nine collectors—Jacques Champagne,Matthieu Gauvin, the duo of Franck Hénot and Danny Therrien, Sébastien Hudon,Robert Poulin, François Rochon, Jean-Michel Ross, Paryse Taillefer and AlainTremblay—acted as guides to their collected works by over 200 artists.While this took place at Accès culture facilities, Collectionner also occupied Arsenal, anew 20,000 sq. ft. space in Griffintown, with an exhibition of important works from variousQuébec collections called Travers—L’art de collectionner. Its opening combined with theofficial opening of this stunning complex dedicated to contemporary art. Collectionner wasincluded in the program of the contemporary art fair Papier12, in the form of a round tablesession with a number of invited collectors.A Municipal Collection that Supports Our ArtistsMontréal’s artistic heritage takes its deserved place of honour on municipal ground such as publicand semi-public spaces, borough offices, cultural facilities and libraries.Accès culture’s art acquisition program last year saw the city collection grow by 38 works from 19artists: Annie Baillargeon, Claire Beaugrand-Champagne, Pierre Blanchette, Marik Boudreau,Michel Campeau, Alain Chagnon, Roger Charbonneau, Pierre Gaudard, Clara Gutsche, JeanLauzon, Alexis Lavoie, Louise Lemieux-Bérubé, David Miller, Catherine Plaisance, NormandRajotte, Ianick Raymond, Jeanie Riddle, Gabor Szilasi and Julie Trudel.This program ensures that the City recognizes the ongoing creation of art, supports its creators,and surveys the production of artistic events through the Accès culture network every year.A Moroccan Welcome to MontréalMaison du Maroc has opened its doors at the corner of rues Viger and Berriin Old Montréal. “Dar al Maghrib” is magnificently and colourfully appointedwith traditional mosaics called zelliges and furnished Moroccan-style. Itsmission is to help Québecers appreciate Moroccan culture and to assistthe integration of immigrants into their new home, while maintaining linkswith their country of origin.This first Moroccan culture centre anywhere in North America promisesvaried programming in its theatre, art gallery, library, media room andlounge. Maison du Maroc was designed by ACDF Architecture and built withexclusive financing from Moroccan sources. It was inaugurated last June.13