Cultural Policy
On November 17, 2019, the cultural development committee and the Town of Beresford launched their cultural policy, a policy that celebrates the Francophone and Acadian heritage of the citizens of this municipality and promotes the development of an “open and inclusive society.”
Beresford’s cultural policy focuses on three important areas of cultural development: the right to assert culture, access to culture and support for cultural activities.
In addition to policies, there is a cultural action plan aimed at achieving it.
Cultural Installations
The collective work project proposed to the municipality by the Beresford Cultural Development Committee was part of a cultural mediation process aimed at developing a sense of belonging and pride among the citizens of Beresford. This intergenerational activity allowed 33 people from the community, including 9 students from the Carrefour Étudiant school, to contribute to the realization of two of the paintings described below, namely the fauna and the flora. These paintings are proudly displayed in the Beresford Regional Ecomarché where they can be appreciated by all during market days.
| The theme proposed to the artists was the culture and heritage of the Beresford community. Artist Carole Bherer’s proposal was selected. The book entitled “Beresford Le Petit Nipisiguit” by Mgr Donat Robichaud was an invaluable resource in the realization of this project. |
The series consists of eight paintings representing various aspects of the Town of Beresford’s heritage. The parts of the paintings that are painted in shades of grey are vignettes of Beresford’s past.
Acadian Heritage: Consisting of three paintings collectively entitled “Bien enraciné” and representing trees existing in Beresford and composing the colors of the Acadian flag. Proposed by the artist, they illustrate the attachment to the land and the rootedness of the community. The trees represented on the blue and red paintings are still proudly rooted in Beresford and their roots, in shades of grey, refer to the ancestors, builders of our community. The trunk gradually changes color and symbolizes growth and durability. The star of Acadia, Stella Maris, illuminates us and in its center we see a heart; the heart of the community. The clothespins behind the trees in the center panel are a nod to our history as a clothespin factory once operated in Beresford.
The fauna and flora (collective works)
These two paintings were created with the collaboration of 33 citizens of all ages from the Beresford community. This intergenerational project took place at the artist’s studio. Each participant, having first followed an introduction to acrylic painting workshop, painted a flower or an animal typical of our region following the artist’s recommendations. The artist then completed the painting without modifying the work of the participants. The animals in shades of grey, such as the wolf, the caribou or the passenger pigeon, represent animals that were once present on our territory, but have now disappeared from our region.
La flore, with the participation of: Ellie-Ann Comeau, Louise Lavigne, Mona Roy, Murielle Imbeault, Johanne Guimond, Mandine Albert Michaud, Bernadette Francoeur, Marie Reine Mallet, Michelle Godin Henry, Gina Miller, Julia Maury, Line Cormier St-Cyr, Marcel St-Cyr, Diane Vienneau, Micheline Albert Boucher and Carole Bherer
Wildlife: With the participation of: Joliane Roy, Chantal Legacy, Alix Doucet, Elodie Leblanc, Francine Guignard, Frank Arseneault, Liam Piwowarek, François Boudreau, Joannie Bulger,Mathieu Doucet, Cynthia Dargavel, Aurèle Michaud, Paul Losier, Faith Grace Mallaley, Alyssa Roy, Klaudie Leblanc and Carole Bherer.
The vegetable garden
A vegetable garden rich in variety and a basket of abundance. The left side of the painting shows a garden of yesteryear, a little less varied, but symbolic of the type of garden our ancestors depended on.
The sea
This scene of a fisherman’s boat offers a view above and below the water. The codfish in shades of grey recall the presence of large quantities of this resource, while the few codfish that extend beyond the frame of the photo symbolize the more limited quantities found today. This work was inspired in part by a photo taken by Jean-Paul Boudreau.
The paddle wheel
Although no photo exists of the mill that once stood in the area, this painting is a period interpretation of the mill that once existed on the Millstream River.
The artist who realized this project is Carole Bherer.
Born in Montreal of Acadian roots, Carole began her visual arts training in 1975 and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Bishop’s University in 1994.
Established in the Chaleur region since 1998, Carole participates in numerous events and her works are regularly exhibited in various art galleries.
Aware of the importance of creativity in education, Carole developed nineteen projects with elementary school students such as “Génie Arts” and “Une école, une artiste” reaching over 2050 students from 2004 to 2018. Carole also offers training on the creative process to school workers and adults.
His travels in the Mediterranean, Europe, Asia, Australia and his scuba diving explorations around the world define his passion for the sea and the color blue, elements that underlie the research of his artistic approach.
The cultural development committee that piloted this project was composed of : Aurèle Michaud; President, Paul Losier; Secretary, Bruno Poirier; City Councillor, Araya Yohannes Bekele, Daniel Comeau, Line Cormier St-Cyr, Marie-Reine Mallet, Julia Maury, and Marie Quaranta.
The Town of Beresford wishes to thank the following financial partners
