---Deschênes neighbourhood inaugurates centennial celebration
As the Deschênes Residents’ Association (ARD) kicked off the neighbourhood’s centennial celebrations on August 4, around 30 people from the community gathered in front of the Deschênes Hotel for an opening ceremony with a special mural unveiling.
Delighted to see the mural finished and displayed and for the celebration to begin after being postponed for more than a year due to the pandemic, Deschênes district councillor Mike Duggan said he felt thrilled to see people coming together for such a positive reason. “Congratulations to Deschênes and thank you everyone for coming here today,” Duggan said.
Relieved to launch the centennial celebration after working to get it done for, ARD President Howard Powles told the Aylmer Bulletin that the association looks forward to hosting a community picnic in September as well as the installation of a permanent memorial plaque at the entrance of the Deschênes village at the bottom of chemin Vanier, as part of its centennial celebration.
The mural, which takes up two large walls on the first and second levels of the Deschênes Hotel highlights Deschênes’ historical and natural wealth. The artwork features a large heron, blooming daisies, and a portrait of Mary McConnell – one of the neighbourhood’s most significant pioneers – among other unique nods to the past with all sorts of vibrant colours.
Explaining that he didn’t name the piece as he never really does, the artist Dom Laporte – known as Dom La Soul – told the Aylmer Bulletin that he felt gratified to see such a large crowd on hand to celebrate the completion of his work.
A life-long art enthusiast, Laporte started doing murals in 2014 and has been at it full-time since 2017. For the 31-year-old graffiti artist, one of the most rewarding parts of the project’s creative process was seeing just how much it meant to the people of the neighbourhood, making the experience even more refreshing.
The centennial celebrations informally started in July with the installation of a historical interpretative walking route along chemin Vanier featuring eight colourful towers decked out with images and information about Deschênes’ heritage.
Incorporated in 1920, the Deschênes village first became a settlement in 1921 - shortly after the construction of a nickel refinery in 1917 - before eventually becoming a residential hub. The ARD’s centennial celebration, including the mural, is financially supported by the city of Gatineau, and the Quebec Ministry of Canadian Heritage.
