September 20. The Gatineau Valley Historical Society opened its 2004-2005 monthly speakers series at the Chelsea Community Centre with a talk by Allan Richens about the restoration of the historic Rideau Street Chapel interior, which was relocated to the National Gallery of Canada.

City Announces Prize for Artists
The City of Gatineau is offering a prize for an original art work to be awarded as the “Hommage Ville de Gatineau” in November 2004. The prize will be given for a work of art created within the last five years by any artist within the Outaouais or the National Capital Region.  The selection will be made by a jury.  Artists must submit their curriculum vitae together with a portfolio containing a maximum of five works, format size 8.5 x 11 inches. The deadline for submissions is October 15.
The prize will be $ 1,000.00 (taxes included) and the award ceremony will take place at the annual Soirée des Culturiades on November 23.
The application package should be sent to the  Ville de Gatineau, Service des arts, “Diffusion culturelle”,  CP 1970, succ. Hull, Gatineau, QC, J8X 3Y9.  This competition is part of the City’s cultural program to encourage local artists and create awareness of artistic work in the region.  Ms. Mireille Boudreault is the director of the City’s Service des arts, de la culture et des lettres. For further details or information call (819) 243 – 2300.

Award to Artist in the Pontiac.  Claudette Spence, of Allumettes Island, has received the Best of Show Award in the professional artist category from the Valley Arts Council (VAC).  The Best of Show Awards are made in three categories (professional, amateur and youth) by a jury composed of persons from outside the region.  This is the third year in which the jury has judged local artists.  Established in 1983, the Council is an organization that promotes all types of art in the Upper Ottawa Valley.

Claudette Spence was given the award for her oil painting “Lady in Pink and Baby.” She has now won the award three times.  The winning pieces are currently on display at the Pembroke Public Library, and  will be moving to Arnprior and District Museum at the end of July.

Claudette Spence is also involved in the studio tour “Exposition d’art”, organized by a group of artists on Allumettes and Morrison Islands (see the end of our Pontiac page in the current edition of the Cultural Bulletin).

Rest of the Summer! Amplify 819 on 101.7 CHIP FM is being kept on for the rest of the summer!  Same time; Thursdays 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.