About Us > Historical Background
If the Visual Arts Symposium of North-Western New Brunswick exists, we owe it to a determined, generous and persevering woman. Painter and owner of the Da-Li Art Gallery, Danielle Bergeron soon realized that there was a true potential for developing representative visual arts in the north-west region.
In the 80s, a certain movement caused by the numerous and extraordinary emerging talents in the field became clearer and clearer. So, Danielle started to look for ways to showcase these talents. Her participation in various symposiums and exhibitions in the region and in the Province of Québec allowed her to meet with experienced artists who advised her, and upon her invitation, came to our area to give workshops. One thing led to another, strong bonds were created.
Then she decides to pursue her studies so that she would be able to start a professional art school. Her students’ successes confirmed her idea that it is necessary to create openings for them and for any young person that becomes more and more interested in visual arts.
Her many painting trips in the Charlevoix region, at the Auberge de Nos Aïeux that welcomes artists from everywhere and accommodates them with workshops, gives her the idea to do the same here. The owners of the Auberge Près-du-Lac are willing to give it a try. Danielle then meets with Nicole Bolduc, Marcel Fecteau, Jacques Hébert from the Province of Québec and Georges Goguen from New Brunswick. Encouraged by their support, she launches, in 1999, the symposium’s first edition. A Board of directors is then nominated, composed of a President, a Vice-president, a Secretary, a Treasurer and representatives from each of the following towns and parishes: Grand Falls, Saint-André, Drummond, Saint-Léonard, and Saint-Georges.
Business people and the public, in general, did not hesitate to support the project. The artists were charmed by the hospitality received and by the magnificent landscapes. These ambassadors were to make our region known and were to create a more and more important economic impact. But most importantly, for our local artists, new horizons opened up.
Federal and provincial governments gave us grants that allowed us to improve our structures. The municipalities of Grand Falls, Saint-André and Drummond still help financially.
We celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2018 and we are proud to acknowledge the extent that this quality cultural event has taken in our region. Many volunteers are involved and their dedication greatly contributes to our symposium’s success.
As long as people will want to keep this event alive, we will be there to do what is needed to do so.