Families, Community Gather As Young Artists Share Powerful Messages At Quest

'It’s abstract. But that’s what makes you stop. You take your time. You think. These are strong messages. People have to start listening,' says visitor

From left: Nadine Lalonde (translator), Sarah Hancock (artist and curator at Quest) and Jennifer Charlebois of Colibri - Francophone Women's Center of Simcoe County speak at the opening of an intergenerational art exhibition at Quest Art School and Gallery on May 1.

On May 1, an intergenerational art exhibition opened at Quest Art School and Gallery, bringing together female students and older women to explore resilience, healing, and community through art.

Led by Colibri - Francophone Women's Centre of Simcoe County in partnership with Quest and École secondaire Le Caron, the bilingual exhibit runs through the first week of May in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“As an organization that supports Francophone women and children who have experienced violence, we prioritize creating space for reflection, dialogue, and community connection,” said Colibri, general manager Chanel Henne.

Grounded in its Francophone roots, the non-profit designed the initiative to be both culturally relevant and widely accessible.

“Offering programming in French is central to accessibility and cultural relevance,” Henne said. “At the same time, working in a bilingual environment helps create inclusive spaces where participants can connect across linguistic backgrounds.”

Walking through the exhibit, recurring themes emerge — identity, belonging, self-expression, and growth — each interpreted through a distinctly personal lens.

“A range of themes emerged, grounded in feminist history and the historical exclusion of women in the art world,” Henne explained. “What stood out most was the balance between shared experiences and generational differences.”

“Art can offer a flexible way for individuals to express themselves and engage with their experiences in a way that feels safe,” Henne said. “The focus here was on expression, creativity, and dialogue.”

For Sarah Hancock, an artist and curator at Quest, the exhibition reflects the strength of the local arts community.

A graduate of York University, she has completed artist residencies in Mexico and Iceland before stepping into her current role.

“Quest has been a huge community for me,” she said. “It’s a big responsibility, but also an honour to be part of something that connects people through art.”

Hancock, a textile artist, said the medium itself carries meaning.

“I care a lot about the feminist history embedded in textile art,” she said. “For a long time, it was pushed into the domestic sphere—but that’s also where women gathered, shared stories, and organized.”

She points to quilting as one example.

“There’s a long history of textiles being used for empowerment and even political advocacy,” she said. “When women came together to sew, they were also exchanging ideas. That’s where conversations—and sometimes movements—began.”

“For centuries, women were shut out of science and art,” Hancock said. “The world we see today has largely been shaped through that lens.”

That perspective continues to guide her work.

“How different would our understanding be if science had been led by women or Indigenous peoples?” she said.

“It’s a lot to explain—that’s why I do it through my art.”

For some in the room, the exhibit carried a deeply personal weight. Martin Charlebois attended in support of his daughter, Jennifer, a student participant.

“I’m here to support her and see what she’s been involved in,” he said. “I’m deeply, deeply touched by what I see.”

A recently retired chief custodian at École secondaire Le Caron, Charlebois, recognized many of the young artists.

“I’ve seen a lot of these girls grow up. I know the families—it’s very personal,” he said.

“It’s abstract,” he added. “But that’s what makes you stop. You take your time. You think. These are strong messages. People have to start listening.”

For Colibri, the exhibition is part of a broader vision.

“Intergenerational initiatives have proven meaningful,” Henne said. “We’re always looking for ways to build on partnerships and develop projects that respond to community needs—particularly those of Francophone women in Simcoe County.”

The timing also connects to upcoming initiatives, including a student-led red dress printmaking project later this week, leading into Red Dress Day on May 5.

Feature Courtesy of Monika Rekola

For Midland Today