More than $300,000 raised for Parle-moi d'amour 23rd edition
The second virtual edition of Parle-moi d’amour Montreal which took place from September 9-23 at UQAM’s Cœur des sciences Agora and via the macause.com platform was a huge success. Thanks to the online sale of 315 artworks from participants of Les Impatients workshops, renowned artists and donations from private collections, in addition to the generous support of family and corporate foundations, the event has raised more than $300,000. The artworks sale alone generated the unprecedented sum of $278,000. But that’s not all: the fundraising campaign continues until December 31st.
“For nearly 30 years, Les Impatients remind us that, like a balm for our soul, art feels and does good. After a year and a half of pandemic, during which the world became fully aware of the importance of mental health, the organization’s mission is more than ever a hot topic. I’m extremely proud of the success of this 23rd edition of our exhibition-auction, a crossroad where artists, collectors, Impatients and art lovers get together to support this noble cause that is so dear to us. From the bottom of my heart, sincere gratitude to our partners, members of the honor committee and friends of Les Impatients who, thanks to their generosity and their precious contribution, allowed Parle-moi d’amour to reach new heights once again.”, emphasizes Manon Gauthier, Chair of Parle-moi d’amour and Executive Director of the Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation.
The record amount raised this year will ensure the maintenance of the activities led by Les Impatients. The results also offer the hope of reducing waiting lists and developing new projects to provide therapeutic benefits to even more people. To meet growing demand, four new workshops already opened their doors in various towns across Quebec. These locations welcome an ever larger and more varied clientele. In almost 30 years of existence, the organization has shown that its workshops reduce hospital visits and improve the health of their participants.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen an upsurge in people struggling with mental health issues, among youth, the general population, within the work environment, as well as among the elderly. The subject of mental health is a priority now more than ever in our lives. Thanks to everyone that supports us, we are proud to be able to offer workshops where mental health and art have a special place”, observed Frédéric Palardy, the organization’s general manager.
The virtual auction made it possible to reach the Quebec population across the province.
More than 5,200 people visited the exhibition, whether online or in person! That means that as many people have helped demystify mental health and promote the art of our participants.
Special thanks to 180 professional artists and donors who have offered artworks and deeply care about the cause of Les Impatients. A series of videos featuring these generous artists and donors can be viewed on the Vimeo page of Les Impatients. Many thanks as well to the spokespersons, James Hyndman and Matteo Esteves, the patron artists, Michel Goulet and Caroline Monnet, the honorary chair, Manon Gauthier and members of the honorary committee.
Follow us on Facebook and take a look at the event’s photo album.
As part of a new partnership with Artch, a panel called “Creation and mental health” was presented in front of an audience. Artists Berirouche Feddal and Janna Yotte, the workshop leader Amélie Pellerin, the workshop participant Jonas Brass, Dr. Leon Tourian, chair of Les Impatients’ board of directors, and the organization’s founding president Lorraine Palardy took part in the discussion.
The event was hosted by Sarah Kitsy Gineau-Delon, Artch’s general manager, and gave rise to an interesting exchange on the benefits of artistic creation on mental health.
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Les Impatients would like to thank their valued partners:
As well as the following family foundations :
Audain Foundation, Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation and Pierre Lassonde Foundation
Cover image :
Frédéric Palardy, General Manager of Les Impatients and part of the team (Cynthia Roy, Catherine Côté-Cyr, Jeanne Bergeron-Brassard, Karine Philippon-Raymond, Geneviève Giasson and Maude Potvin)
Photo credit: Denise Barria
