The Espace VERRE team is proud to introduce the co-presidents of its Brique & Tonic benefit cocktail, Michèle Lapointe and Diane Gistal. Two exceptional Montreal personalities whose remarkable artistic and community involvement is a true source of inspiration.
Michèle Lapointe
A seasoned glass artist, Michèle Lapointe has had many achievements in the field of art integration in architecture and in the environment, as well as over a hundred solo and group exhibitions. Also, her works have been presented in Canada, the United States, South Korea and in many parts of Europe. Likewise, she participated in the Biennale international du lin in Portneuf and the Symposium du verre in Vannes-le-Châtel (France). In 2018, she received the Prix Jean-Marie-Gauvreau, one of the highest fine crafts awards in Québec. Furthermore, her works are part of many public collections, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée nationale des beaux-arts du Québec, the Musée des métiers d’art du Québec, the Musée de Rimouski, the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Ontario and MusVerre in France.
In addition to her creative work, she was involved at Espace VERRE on several levels: she was a teacher from 1989 to 2022 and she sat on its board of directors from 1995 to 2002, was its president from 1996 to 2001. In 2003, she participated in the revision of the fine crafts, glass option college programme. From 2013 to 2015, she was a visual arts and fine crafts specialist for the integration of arts in architecture policy of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications of Québec.
Photo credit Michèle Lapointe: René Rioux
Diane Gistal
Diane Gistal is a consultant, cultural producer, and independent art curator, mostly involved in the Québec artistic community. Also, she is a member of the external acquisition committee of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, a member of the Centre Clark, vice-president of the board of directors of the Festival Afropolitain Nomade and an administrator of the Vie des arts magazine’s board of directors. Furthermore, she has collaborated with institutions and associates such as Ernst & Young, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Massimadi Foundation, the Phi Foundation, the Goethe Institute, Téléfilm Canada, and the Centre des arts actuels Skol.
Diane Gistal’s curatorial practice intersects visual arts, literature, and social sciences. She emphasizes the agency, care, joy and vulnerability of the African, Afro-Caribbean communities and their diasporas in the creation of new paradigms and more authentic discourses. Diane Gistal is interested in the literary, visual and cinematic representations of the Black Atlantic. This has motivated her to create exhibitions that explore these themes in innovative ways. Her exhibitions have been presented in various contexts, such as corporate, in gallery and online, demonstrating her commitment to making art accessible to a wide audience.
Finally, recent career highlights include her role as founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Nigra Iuventa, which develops innovative projects in contemporary art-based research of artists’ practices and Afro-descendants and African curators. In 2021, the organization won the Nos indispensables de l’équité award from the Conseil des arts de Montréal. Furthermore, Diane is the co-founder of Black Joy MTL, a platform that aims to cultivate joy and promote well-being within black communities while promoting inclusion and the celebration of diversity. This initiative demonstrates the desire to create safe and inclusive spaces for all.
Photo credit Diane Gistal: Noire Mouliom
For more information about Brique & Tonic : click here