A new photo exhibition, “From Past to Present Photo Exhibition & Life Stories,” is kicking off in Mansonville with opening day scheduled for Jan. 21 at the Feather in the Wind Centre.
A collaboration between Danielle Poitras, project coordinator and volunteer, and Monique Gilbert, who previously worked with seniors at the Centre Action Bénévole de la Missisquoi-Nord (CABMN), the idea behind the exhibition is to change perceptions on aging.
The project kicked off in the summer of 2022 with 35 volunteers going out into the community to take portraits of seniors from the Township of Potton. The volunteers also coordinated interviews with each of the seniors to give them the opportunity to tell their life stories.
Running from Jan. 24 to March 24 at the Mansonville library, the public will have the chance to see the portraits and life stories of 23 seniors over 80 years old.
“It all started with the pandemic. Actually, at that time, I was kind of tired of seeing the images and perception of aging that was presented in the media. It was always presented like a “sick person” or “wrinkled,” explained Poitras. “So, I contacted Monique and I said ‘why don’t we do a project of taking nice portraits of the seniors in our area of Potton and present that with pictures of them when they were younger?’
The idea was to change perceptions, added Poitras.
“But it’s all done with volunteers. I contacted all my friends around here and I knew there were good photographers in the area and people that could write. (…) Then I contacted the seniors to see if they wanted to participate in the project. (…) It was done in August and Sept., and we then finished the texts in Oct. and Nov. to prepare for the exhibition,” she said.
Poitras prepared a series of questions in advance for interviewers to help put together each senior’s story.
“The person who is doing the interview would have an idea of not only going with how old are you? and how many kids do you have?, but do you have regrets in your life? What was the highlight of your life? Etc,. It’s a one page story or a half-page story for each of them, but it’s interesting,” said Poitras.
Poitras mentioned that she wants the seniors to see the story of their life, their projects, the fact that they’re still participating in the community, and that they’re alive.
“And I want the population of Potton to see that those people are not only elders, but they are still here, they are still alive. I also want the youngsters at school to see the exhibition. (…) These are people who have left their mark and who are contributing to our collective history still,” she added.
The “From Past to Present Photo Exhibition & Life Stories” project was financially supported by the CABMN, the Municipality of the Township of Potton, Acte d’Amour, the Potton Cultural and Heritage Committee, Desjardins Caisse du Lac-Memphremagog, Owl’s Head, the Potton Youth Centre (Mansonville), and the office of François Bonnardel, Member for Granby (CAQ) and Minister responsible for the Estrie region.
“It regrouped a lot of people this project. (…) They (volunteers) all mentioned that it was an experience for them to meet with the seniors and to have these conversations that they may not have had before this project,” said Poitras.
The opening of the exhibition to the general public will take place on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Feather in the Wind Centre (Centre La Plume au Vent) at 309 Rue Principale, Mansonville.
The exhibition will then be moved to the the second floor of the municipal library in Mansonville starting on Jan. 24 and it will run until March 24. For opening hours call (450) 292-3948.
Listen to the full interview below: