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The work was officially launched at the futuristic Espace Riopelle pavilion dedicated to the works of artist Jean-Paul Riopelle. About a dozen politicians and figures from the arts community gathered Saturday afternoon on the grounds of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec (MNBAQ) for the event.
Work still begins a year later than initially planned, which also pushes back the opening date by one year, now planned for 2026.
One of the first models of Espace Riopelle, developed behind the central pavilion of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Quebec (archive photo).
Image: Fabj Architects
Work was scheduled to begin in 2023, which coincided with what the Riopelle Foundation called the Year of Riopelle to mark the centenary of the famous Quebec artist, who died in 2002.
Meanwhile, the bill has practically doubled, rising from $42.5 million to $84 million, in the three years since the announcement in 2021. The Quebec government and Quebec City have also had to double their construction quotas. Now 58% is funded by public funds.
Of the $20 million that comes from the Jean-Paul Riopelle Foundation for this work, $10 million comes from the family of Michel J. Odin, 5 million from the family of Andre Desmarais, and 5 million from the family of Pierre Lassonde.
The Foundation will also complete the financial package by donating approximately sixty works valued at more than $100 million.
It launched with great fanfare
To launch the project, Minister of Culture and Communications Mathieu Lacombe was accompanied by the Mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand; And Foundation members Jean-Paul Riopelle, Yoshiko Karasawa and Michel J. Odin; MNBAQ members and its founder, Jean-Luc Murray and Julie-Anne Vian; Project engineer, Eric Gauthier; President of CONCREA, the company that will carry out the work, Darren Bolduc; And the artist's daughter, Yseult Riopelle.
Without the generosity of Yoshiko and Michelle, we would not be here today.
“, confirms the mayor, speaking about the leaders of the Jean-Paul Riopelle Foundation who themselves own more than 80 works by the artist.
The Mayor of Quebec and the directors of the museum and its foundation, Minister of Culture and Communications Mathieu Lacombe, also thanked donations from sponsors such as the Audin, Lassonde and Desmarais families.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Eric Chouinard
Mathieu Lacombe also highlighted the cooperation between the public and private sectors to successfully complete the project. The mayor and the minister also exchanged kind words with each other, a tone that changed due to the tense atmosphere that still exists between the city and the government.
They were happy that they were able to keep the project in Quebec despite the increase in costs and complications that were added along the way. Even before consulting with the city's residents, Bruno told me: “No problem, we will double our contribution!”
The minister recalled, referring to the conversation they had about increasing costs.
The first phase of work is taking place inside the Girard-Morrisette Pavilion, part of which will be dismantled and consolidated. A new building will then be added to the museum complex behind the central pavilion and reception hall.
Gerard Morissette Suite.
Photo: Radio-Canada/Eric Chouinard
After construction, museum teams will have six months to prepare the spaces and exhibits. Eventually, the new pavilion will have a new name since Espace Riopelle is only a temporary address.
The goal is to almost completely repair one of the museum's oldest wings by adding something Bold, innovative and rebellious like Riopelle
supports Jean-Luc Murray, Director General of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec.
Monbeq National Museum of Fine Arts, Quebec Pavilion
Photo: Radio-Canada/Eric Chouinard
This is the second announcement in two weeks of a major project for the National Capital Region, in which Minister Mathieu Lacombe is involved. On April 25, he announced the transformation of what was to become Quebec's Blue Space into the National History Museum.
After this first shovel of dirt, the dignitaries and dignitaries headed to the national ceremony organized by the MNBAQ Foundation.
“Music guru. Incurable web practitioner. Thinker. Lifelong zombie junkie. Tv buff. Typical organizer. Evil beer scholar.”
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