COATICOOK: The Beaulne Museum in Coaticook is pleased to host Histoire pétrifiée, an exhibition by the mosaic artist/sculptor Gaëtan d’Arcy from March 17 to April 28, 2013. The vernissage will take place on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. The public is cordially invited.

Born in Quebec and a professional artist since 2003, Gaëtan d’Arcy now practices full time as an artistic mosaic/sculptor. He was introduced to mosaics in 1996. The first works were made from small fragments of ceramic cut with pliers. In 2003, he experimented with a new technique to create a work designed with pieces of varying sizes, cut and assembled to produce a figurative pattern. Since 2010, he embraces the Florentine mosaic style. This is a method, which juxtaposes, with virtually non-existent space, pieces of sawn semi-precious stones.

In 2009, Gaëtan D’Arcy won the Sculptura Award, a recognition given to a professional artist and sculptor for the artistic value of his work. In 2011, he was appointed the title of Academician, a tribute to an artist for his artistic approach and the quality of his pictorial work, two distinctions judged by his peers and received from the International Academy of Fine Arts of Quebec. He also holds several awards from the public and has participated in Art 2009 in Toronto and at the Academia XXI-2011 exhibition in Laval. His works can be viewed at exhibitions and events mainly in the Eastern Townships.

Using stone as a medium, the works of the artist are thereby steeped in history and perpetuity. He transforms the raw material, giving it life, immortalizing the material through the image into a true story or anecdote meaningful to an individual, a family or a nation, hence the title of the exhibition « Histoire pétrifiée/ Petrified history. » Visitors can view a diversity of works with various mosaic techniques and the universe of a few illustrated adventures, including his most recent project "Le bal médiéval/ The medieval ball," a large size table made with stones in their raw state, and then polished. Just like his other works, no artificial colouring or paint is used only the natural colours of the stones serve as a palette.

The Ministry of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, and the City of Coaticook financially support the Beaulne Museum of Coaticook. Special thanks go to the Caisse populaire Desjardins des Verts-Sommets de l’Estrie for their financial contribution.

Information: 819-849-6560