6 Brome-Missisquoi Places for Enjoying both the Arts and a Picnic

The Brome-Missisquoi region abounds with artists and welcomes talents from near and far throughout the year. In addition to the many exhibitions held in our local galleries, art centres and businesses, you’ll also discover several outdoor events. This summer, make the most of the warmer weather by visiting these ephemeral or permanent exhibits. Indeed, an excellent opportunity to introduce both adults and children to the arts in a fun and informal way! In addition, these exhibitions are all found at perfect venues for a snack stop, a relaxing pause or a picnic, on your own, as a couple, with your family and even with your pooch!

The Maude Arès Installation, in Frelighsburg

Every year, the Centre d’Art Adélard invites visitors to an off the beaten path outdoor exhibition. In a pond environment, from May 18 to October 14, Montréal artist Maude Arès will be exhibiting her mobiles and container sculptures, all made using recycled or reshaped plant materials. These interact organically with their surroundings, creating intriguing new ecosystems; hence, the lyrical title Les grenouilles seront là. Elles onduleront la terre et avaleront la lune! Meaning simply that the frogs will come. They’ll undulate the Earth and swallow the moon!

The exhibition site is a five-minute walk from the entrance to the FR2 trail at the end of Chemin du Verger-Modèle. Small signs point the way along the slightly inclined dirt road. Benches have been set all around the pond, inviting visitors to contemplate the surroundings. Several other events are also planned here this summer, including a musical performance on Saturday, August 10 at 3:30 p.m. and a free hydraulic mobile workshop on Saturday, July 13 at 1:30 p.m. Also, weather permitting, every Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m., by signing up right here, you’ll enjoy viewing Ms. Arès’s exhibition from a small inflatable boat or a raft. For more information, visit www.adelard.org.

For your picnic, you can stock up on provisions nearby, at the farm Le Rizen’s self-serve food stand, by stopping by the Vignoble Val Caudalies’s boutique, or at La Rumeur Affamée in Frelighsburg.

Frédérique Ulman-Gagné’s “Hex Signs”

During her residency at Adélard last June, artist Frédérique Ulman-Gagné created several outdoor works of art inspired by New England’s Hex Signs, designs that sometimes adorn the front walls of many of their barns. Her creations, exhibited on different barns in Frelighsburg, Saint-Armand and Dunham, tell stories of the region and are now part of a public circuit. To discover them, visit Frédérique Ulman-Gagné’s residency overview.

Two Exhibitions in the Heart of Dunham

 If you’re coming from Cowansville, why not stop by the Terroir de Dunham to fill your basket with fresh fruit and vegetables, and then head to Bernard le boulanger, just next door to the permanent outdoor exhibit, Les visages du vin (3740, Principale). Since last year, this installation features a series of photographs introducing us to the Route des Vins de Brome-Missisquoi winemakers, accompanied by a QR code that gives access to audio capsules in which they tell their stories and share their journeys with you.

Nearby, at 3734 rue Principale, you can purchase a bottle or two of wine at the Clos Ste-Croix vineyard and enjoy a snack in their garden. The garden features a number of sculptures by local artists and offers plenty of shaded areas where you can relax.

Nature & Création at the Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise in Dunham

The oldest vineyard in Québec, Domaine des Côtes d’Ardoise, is located on the Route des vins in Dunham. Organically produced since 2021, it has hosted the Nature & Créations outdoor exhibition every summer since 2001, from mid-June to the end of October. The exhibition features more than 200 sculptural works by some 70 artists, most of them from Québec. A wide range of art mediums are represented, including stone, concrete, metal, Plexiglas and ceramics. Each year, new sculptures replace some of the older ones, so that the one-kilometre-long pathway is always changing.

The tour costs $5 per adult and is free for children aged 12 and under. The route is partly set in the shade and on level ground. The section through the vineyard is steeper, but when you reach the Monarch Butterfly at the very top of the hill, you can see all the way to the island of Montréal on a clear day. And if you decide not to do the route, you can still enjoy a bite to eat or a refreshment under the canopy set by the vineyard entrance or under the reception tent. The vineyard’s bistro offers paninis and cheese platters, pâtés and charcuteries to accompany your wine selection or soft drinks purchased on site. You’ll also enjoy an indoor art gallery presenting a series of small-format sculptures.

D’Arts et de rêves Park, in Sutton

Located at 57, Principale Nord, in Sutton, D’Arts et de rêves, DAR Studios welcome resident artists on a yearly basis and visitors can enjoy monumental works of art as they stroll along the trails found in the park behind the barn. This beautiful venue is accessible to the general public for picnicking or just to relax away from the effervescence of this vibrant town. Both the park and the barn sometimes offer artistic activities.

And for your provisions, you’ll find plenty of options right here in Sutton. You’ll be able to satisfy your appetite by stopping by one of the following places where they offer ready-to-eat menus: Chez Matis Traiteur, La Rumeur Affamée de Sutton, Fraîche et Le Gros Nez.

The Monsieur Lachaise Contest in the Town of Lake Brome

Last year several regional artists transformed a number of mannequins and spread them throughout the village of Lake Brome, and the public was invited to vote for their favourite one. This year, Art Lab 341, in collaboration with the Municipality, is renewing the contest and has asked local artists to decorate and transform one or more chairs. These can be seen everywhere throughout the town and, once again, the public is invited to vote, this time, for their favourite chair. A great activity for the entire family to enjoy.