The idea of an association of artists germinated in a meeting of five visual artists and a writer in 1989. The Pontiac Artists’ Studio Tour Association (P.A.S.T.A.) grew out of the meeting. Already, the promotion of professional and emerging artists was a key motivation for founding the association.
Since 1990, the Pontiac Artists’ Studio Tour has continued to educate the community in the arts and contribute to the cultural life of Pontiac. It has offered youth in the region the opportunity to discover the arts through its free activities including the Young Artists’ Workshop Program and Art in the Park (Plein Air, Plein Art). The artists of Pontiac have exhibited nationally and internationally.
P.A.S.T.A. has since evolved into what is known today as the Pontiac Artists’ Association and Art Pontiac. In 2001, with its broader mandate, but still primarily concerned with the promotion of artists and cultural life, members of the association assisted the CLD with a feasibility study for a Cultural Centre for Pontiac.
The Studio Tour has had tremendous success, attracting thousands of visitors to Pontiac. In 1995, it was awarded the Jury’s Special Prize at The Outaouais Tourism Awards.
In 2003 the Pontiac Artists’ Association contributed to the creation of a position of cultural agent at the MRC Pontiac. Two years later, it participated in the drafting of a cultural policy, which was presented to and adopted by the MRC in 2005.
In 2004, through the dedication of a group of community members and artists, the Pontiac School of the Arts was formed. The aim of the school is to offer the opportunity to learn and teach courses that cater to community and families. In its first three years, the School has been a true success story, achieving increases of 50% and 30% in annual enrolment. Furthering its mission of education, training and community involvement, the School of the Arts has entered into partnership with various organizations, notably Québec en forme, the Campbell’s Bay Community Learning Centre and the Heritage College Continuing Education Department. In its fourth year, the School is closer to achieving its goal of offering a year-round program.
Currently, the Pontiac Artists’ Association and Art Pontiac acts as an umbrella organization for the Pontiac Artists’ Studio Tour, the Pontiac School of the Arts and other events and exhibitions, each activity having its own program and stakeholders.