powered by DIVERSE MEETINGS NEWS Montréal Gay Village shines as LGBTQ and contemporary art beacon The Business Development Corporation (SDC) for the Montréal Village and the Ville-Marie borough, alongside Robert Beaudry, City Councilor for the Saint-Jacques District and member of the City of Montréal’s executive Committee for economic development, housing and design, inaugurated the 14th edition of pedestrianization of Sainte-Catherine Street East, between Saint-Hubert street and Papineau avenue. AIRES LIBRES presents numerous art installations in the heart of The Village, including the ever popular Galerie blanc, on display until September 24 this year. AIRES LIBRES is the oldest and most important “cultural pedestrianization” initiative in the Ville-Marie Borough. Over 40 terrasses (including those on Amherst, as well as the rooftop terrasses of Unity and SKY) are open to Montrealers this season. ​“180,000 balls by Claude Cormier, the art installation for which Montréalers have shown an incredible wave of love in recent years, is back for its final edition”, declared Mr. Beaudry. “The City of Montréal and the Ville- Marie borough will continue to support The Village in its outreach and development, including a financial contribution to the international design contest for the new Sainte-Catherine Street East project, which will be unveiled to Montréalers in 2020. The Village will always be a reflection of the diversity, openness and creativity of Montréal, a city recognized as a cultural metropolis and UNESCO city of design.” “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada,” noted Denis Brossard, president of the SDC du Village. “Although much progress has been made, we need to support the Montréal Village’s momentum so it can continue to be a pillar for the LGBTQ community. Since its creation in 2005, the SDC du Village has become a beacon of cultural diversity, highlighting Montréal as an internationally recognized icon. Since the very first edition of AIRES LIBRES in 2008, the festival has treated Montréalers and tourists alike to the works of over one hundred artists and designers. The 9,000 square feet open-air art gallery and the contest that will determine the 2020 design installation (which will be showcased on Sainte-Catherine Street East starting May 2020), are both fantastic opportunities for the borough’s growth and development. For the SDC, design and contemporary art will always be a great way to foster inclusion,” said Denis Brossard, SDC du Village President. A last chance to view the 18 Shades of Gay art installation and the 2020 art installation landscape architecture competition The one kilometer-long rainbow-coloured canopy will be on display until September 24th This is the 9th edition. the pink-coloured balls launched in 2011 were made multicoloured in 2017 to mark the Village’s 35th anniversary. The installation entitled “18 Shades of Gay” is by architecture firm Claude Cormier et Associés A total of 180,000 balls Nearly 3,100 lines are suspended over one kilometer Three shades of each of the six colours of the gay flag = 18 shades of gay The nostalgic pink balls can be seen at both entrances to the Village The landscape architecture contest for the new art installation on Sainte-Catherine Street East, in the heart of the Gay Village Claude Cormier wanted to see another installation mark the 2020 edition. An international landscape architecture competition is underway. A landscape architecture firm or a multidisciplinary team that includes landscape architects will be chosen. The jury has received 29 entries to date, from teams across Canada, the United-States and Europe. The winning team will be announced in the fall of 2019. A Footbridge over the rainbow balls starting at the end of May 2019 Created in 2017 by the firm Architecturama, this footbridge that enables people to take photos while “walking above” the rainbow-coloured balls will be back at the end of May. This installation is located at the corner of Sainte-Catherine Street East and Saint-Timothée. Sincerely, Juergen Steinmetz eTurboNews Publisher LGBT MPA Board of Directors Join us at our educational and networking events that Take a look at our network of business members. are happening throughout the year! READ MORE READ MORE Visit our website Not a Member? Join Now ​​While It's Still Free! Click Here About the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Meeting Professional’s Association (LGBT MPA) The LGBT MPA is the first and only organization solely committed to the professional advancement of LGBT meeting professionals. 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