ÉCLOSION — Emerging Contemporary Craft
A showcase dedicated to the next generation of craft artists
2026 Edition
November 7 to December 10, 2026
ÉCLOSION is an initiative of Montréal’s eight craft schools, the Institut des métiers d’art at Cégep du Vieux Montréal, and the Conseil des métiers d’art du Québec (CMAQ). Its goal is to provide emerging craft artists with a professional platform to showcase their work.
Following its inaugural edition in fall 2024, ÉCLOSION returns in 2026 as part of Galerie Art Mûr’s 30th anniversary celebrations. The exhibition brings together 21 artists trained at Montréal’s eight fine craft schools and features 37 works that reflect the diversity of contemporary craft practices and expertise.
Curated by Jessica Beauchemin, the exhibition presents works selected by a multidisciplinary jury. From expressive works to functional objects, the selection offers an overview of eight disciplines: glass, ceramics, jewellery, textile printing, leatherwork, textile construction, artistic woodworking, and lutherie.
Through the intersection of these practices, ÉCLOSION explores the transformations that take place between subjectivity, reality, gesture, and material, revealing the distinctive approaches of emerging artists.
Exhibiting Artists
Glass: Dorothée Bouliane, Alexi Garneau, and Charlie Larouche-Potvin.
Ceramics: Audrey Levasseur-Ruel, Laura MacLean, and Sophie Manessiez.
Jewellery: Marine Bordy, Malika Rousseau, and Noore Salem.
Textile Printing: Noélie Goudeau and Magali Robidaire.
Leatherwork: Noémie Marchand.
Textile Construction: Ophélie Bureau, Agathe Dessaux, Mati Laforge, and Marielle Saucier.
Artistic Woodworking: Juliette Huneau, Jonathän Jouan, and Cédric Néret.
Lutherie: Shawn Conway and William Parent-Senez.
Opening Reception and Panel Discussion
The opening reception will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 3 p.m. On Saturday, November 21, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., a panel discussion entitled Mapping the Art Markets for Contemporary Crafts: Where and How to Exhibit? will bring together curators and arts presenters to discuss exhibition opportunities and professional development strategies in contemporary crafts.
The exhibition and both events are free and open to the public.
Each edition aims to:
• Present original works in contemporary craft
•Highlight innovation, diversity of practices, and the richness of craftsmanship
•Provide a professional framework conducive to sales and recognition
•Encourage exchanges between emerging artists, the public, and industry professionals
•Contribute to the cultural ecosystem and the visibility of tomorrow’s craft practices
Participants are selected by a multidisciplinary jury and present their work at Galerie Art Mûr, a professional exhibition space that hosts the exhibition and its accompanying reflection activities.
Partners
ÉCLOSION is presented in collaboration with Montréal’s eight craft schools and studios: Atelier Textile, Centre de céramique Bonsecours, Centre des métiers du cuir de Montréal, Centre des textiles contemporains de Montréal, École d’ébénisterie d’art de Montréal, École de joaillerie de Montréal, École-atelier Lutherie-Guitare Bruand; in partnership with l’Institut des métiers d’art – Cégep du Vieux Montréal and Galerie CRÉA – contemporary craft.
2024 Edition
Presented in 2024 at Galerie Art Mûr, the first edition of ÉCLOSION brought together works by glass artists Dorothée Bouliane, Jeanne Létourneau, and the duo Sécrétion-Féline (Diane Champagnat-Becker and Nicolas Forlini), highlighting the diversity of practices emerging from Montréal’s craft schools and studios.
The exhibition also featured craft artists from other disciplines:
Ceramics: Paul Guidera (2018), Sophie Manessiez (2021), Marie Bourguignon (2023)
Jewellery: Joanie Guillemet (2023), Justine Bonnin (2018), Laura Sasseville (2017)
Fine Woodworking: Thomas Vieren (2023), Juliette Huneau (2019)
Textile Printing: Magali Robidaire (2019)
Leatherwork: Noémie Marchand (2023), Gianhi Tran (2021)
Textile Construction: Agathe Dessaux (2023), Marielle Saucier (2022)
Lutherie: Shawn Conway (2018)
