Two new exhibitions are coming to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in May! Attend the vernissage for Carole Baillargeon: Rock Paper Scissors and Tartan: Culture & Cloth on Saturday, May 2 at 1pm. Both will be on display until July 26.
Over the last 40 years, Carole Baillargeon has developed a rich hybrid practice in visual arts, with references to manual trades, craft and scenography. Curated by José Niaison, four bodies of work have been brought together in Rock Paper Scissors, offering an overview of Baillargeon’s artistic considerations and technical approaches. The show features two series of works, one in 2D and the other in 3D, made of handmade paper; a large installation of felted stones and metal objects recalling our ancestral agricultural heritage; and a three-part series of transformed and expressive tools. This exhibition is supported by Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.
Hosted in partnership with Almonte Celtfest and curated by Meaghan Guthrie and Makayla Moore, Tartan: Culture & Cloth invites visitors to explore the history, heritage, and unexpected global journey of this iconic cloth. Tartan is more than just a fabric; it is a symbol of kinship, identity, and rebellion woven through centuries and across cultures. This timeless textile represents the history and stories of the Celtic peoples and reveals how a simple piece of fabric can embed itself in culture, art, and design. This year, Almonte Celtfest celebrates its 30th anniversary and will take place from July 3–5 in Gemmill Park.
“Though they’re very different, both exhibitions carry a historical thread and bring a contemporary lens to agricultural practices and a fabric that has been around for hundreds of years,” says Michael Rikley-Lancaster, MVTM Executive Director/Curator. “I look forward to seeing the gallery spaces transformed. I think they will allow visitors to learn and reflect, and we’re looking forward to bringing them to the Museum and local community.”
Find more information at mvtm.ca.