Darling Foundry, main entrance @ Marie Christine Abel

The Darling Foundry, Visual Arts Centre is an alternative complex composed of two adjacent buildings: one for artists and the other for their public. This large space has been newly renovated and converted into exhibition spaces, creation and production studios, live-in studios, and the Cluny ArtBar.

The first phase of the renovation was opened to the public in June 2002, which unveiled an enormous platform for contemporary art. The architects of the renovation, In Situ (www.insitu.qc.ca), mindfully balanced the Darling Foundry’s modern programming needs with the aim of retaining its industrial roots. The two main rooms provide the backdrop for exhibitions and events throughout the year and welcome over 10,000 visitors a year.

In 2006, in the building adjacent to the exhibition spaces, the Darling Foundry opened an assortment of artists’ studios, production workshops, and live-in ateliers. This second phase was implemented under the able direction of L’Oeuf, an architectural firm specializing in green design. Harmonious, luminous, and inspiring, the makeover is spread over three floors of an old warehouse that still wears its brick and wooden walls. Ten artist studios are reserved for local visual artists working toward further professional development, while three live-in ateliers are offered to artists from the world over for three- to six-month residencies.

A technician-supervised workshop allows for many production and finishing possibilities; wood- and metal-working equipment, as well as a variety of tools and materials are made available to the artists. Amenities such as a kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, and terrace are also shared.

The Darling Foundry is a working, meeting, and living space that acts as an artistic beacon in its neighbourhood, its community and, thanks to its international residencies, around the world. Thanks to some 40 people that work on its 3,500 m2 each day, this visual arts centre is blossoming as a small social enterprise.