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Discover The Magic of MOSAÏCANADA at The Biggest Horticultural Event in Canada

Image Credit: © Guy Boily

There is SO much happening this summer in and around Ottawa in honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary. On the top of my list of things to see and do is the MOSAÏCANADA 150/Gatineau 2017 exhibit in Jacque-Cartier Park. Let me just tell you friends, you’re going to want to mark your calendars and plan a day to visit this awe inspiring garden of art work. 

Earlier this year, I visited Montreal with Tourisme Outaouais for the distinct pleasure of getting an early look at the sculptures and plants that were being prepared for this massive exhibition. You might have caught all my instagram stories that I shared. It was incredible to get a behind-the-scenes look at this massive undertaking!

Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal is the not-for-profit corporation behind this magnificent exhibition. Founded in 1998, Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal has developed and fine-tuned its unique expertise in designing, mounting and maintaining mosaiculture exhibitions, gardens and works.

The MOSAÏCANADA 150/Gatineau 2017 exhibit, which will be situated right along the Ottawa River, will be the biggest horticultural event in Canada!  I can’t tell you how exciting I am at seeing the complete pieces in such a beautiful setting. The sculptures will be on display from 3pm on June 30th until October 15th, 2017. Which gives you a wide window to book your visit! Since I had a sneak peek at some of the structures, I can tell you that there is something for everyone. I think anyone who visits this exhibition will walk away feeling moved and inspired – and have a favourite sculpture!

Some of the vast structures I spotted on my press trip included an eagle, a buffalo, a horse, and even giant Anne of Green Gables! Of course there will be countless more. A few of the pieces I’m most excited to see are the four works that will make up the First Nations section of MOSAÏCANADA 150/Gatineau 2017. I attended the unveiling ceremony of the First Nations Art in Montreal, presented by Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal in collaboration with representatives of the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador and of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation – and it was truly an honour to get a first look at the designs and hear the First Nations’ lore and legends in relation to the works.

 

Anishinabeg artist, Dean Ottawa, designed two of the four works, entitled Legend of Wìsakedjàk. They will show the construction of a birch bark canoe by an Algonquin family. The other two First Nations works are Born with the Sun, designed by Wendat-Abenaki artist Christine Sioux Wawanoloath, and the Huron-Wendat legend of Aataentsic, illustrated as Mother Earth – also the MOSAÏCANADA icon.

To say that I can’t wait to see Mother Earth in all her splendour would be an understatement.

The 13-metre tall Mother Earth will be looking down upon the 5-meter high Wisakedjak, sitting in her 12-metre long canoe, surrounded by larger-than-life animals as she heads towards the giant turtle, with its 10-metre diameter shell, floating amidst a sea of blue flowers. 

That visual is going to be nothing short of breathtaking.

The overall theme of the MOSAÏCANADA 150/Gatineau 2017 exhibit is 150 years of history, values, culture and arts in Canada. There will be works representing our rich history as well as our vast country, highlighting pieces from provinces and territories. There will be around 40 different arrangements within the park to discover as you cover the route, which extends one kilometre long. It is estimated that a tour around the park is roughly around 90 minutes. 

Gatineau 2017 welcomes Canada and the world with open arms to this exhibit in Jacques-Cartier Park with free admission! This is truly an event that is not to be missed, and one that the whole family and all age groups will enjoy!

 

For more information about this spectacular exhibit, please visit: MOSAÏCANADA 150/Gatineau 2017 website.

Emily Smith

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