Les Printemps Du MAC 2025 @ La Nesra Took Us To The Cleaners

Art & Entertainment

Les Printemps du MAC 2025 at La Nesra Took Us to the Cleaners

V
3 MIN READ
April 15, 2025

Montreal’s cultural calendar hit a high note on Friday night, April 11, as the 17th edition of Les Printemps du MAC unfolded at the La Nesra event studio inside Arsenal, filled with dry cleaner-inspired props, under the transformative theme of “Alter Ego.”

Organized by the Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC), this immersive soirée not only dazzled over 1,200 attendees but also reaffirmed the city’s deep commitment to contemporary art and emerging talent.

From the moment guests stepped onto the purple carpet sponsored by BonLook —with fashionista Lolitta Dandoy as the welcoming host— they were encouraged to shed their everyday persona and embrace their artistic alter ego.

Julie-Anne Ho and Geni Hill | © Gabriel Fournier

Bold silhouettes, surreal makeup, and daring fashion dominated the scene, embodying the evening’s invitation to celebrate the fluidity of identity.

Craig Major

The transformation wasn’t just cosmetic—it was existential. Guests were not merely spectators but living canvases, contributing to an ambiance where art, performance, and personality blurred beautifully.

Lady Magpie and Jossua Satinée Collin | © Karel Chladek

For a second year, the BonLook pop-up counter created quite a sensation when guests learned it was giving away star-worthy eyewear for free!

Chloé Alice Marie Victoire and Cassandra Chapados | © Edmond Chung

Inside La Nesra’s industrial-chic venue, the atmosphere was electric. Illuminated by PixMob’s interactive wristbands and enhanced with immersive 3D visuals courtesy of Rodeo FX, the space pulsed with the creative energy of Montreal’s contemporary art scene.

PixMob | © Karel Chladek

DJs – Audrey Bélanger, Ian Jackman, TallandSkiinny, and The Neighbors – spun eclectic beats that shifted the mood from contemplative to euphoric!

The Neighbors: Eli & Meir | © Karel Chladek

Dancers—styled with TRISTAN’s iconic oversized bags—added bursts of theatrical flair.

The heartbeat of the event, however, was its support for emerging artists. Six standout creators—Gabor Bata, Sierra Barber, Rémi Belliveau, Colin Canary, Marie-Danielle Duval, and Clara Lacasse—presented works nurtured through a new MAC mentorship program led by artist Yann Pocreau.

Sierra Barber, Marie-Danielle Duval, Colin Canary, Yann Pocreau, Remi Bell, Gabor Bata and Clara Lacasse | © Bruno Guerin

In a bold move aligned with the Foundation’s mission, all proceeds from the art auction—totaling over $43,000—went directly to the artists, ensuring they could further develop their practice.

Valerie Roberts | © Karel Chladek

This auction, presented by EY and championed by its managing partner Simon Beaulieu, featured not only visual works but also exclusive experiences and products. For new and seasoned collectors alike, this was a chance to invest not only in art but in the future of Montreal’s creative community.

Beyond its artistic success, Les Printemps du MAC 2025 raised an impressive $450,000 for the Fondation du MAC. These funds will directly support MAC’s educational programming, permanent collection, and bold exhibition calendar—all while the museum, currently undergoing massive renovations, continues its temporary residence at Place Ville Marie.

Les Printemps du MAC 2025 at La Nesra Took Us to the Cleaners 1

MAC at Place Ville Marie | © Guy L’Heureux

Credit for the evening’s cohesion and creativity is due to co-chairs David-Marc Bouchard (TROUVÉ) and Catherine Martel (Haus of Park) !

Catherine Martel and David-Marc Bouchard | © Karel Chladek

They were the guiding lights of an all-star volunteer committee composed of Montreal’s most dynamic young professionals from the arts, media, law, and business sectors. Their collective energy transformed a fundraising event into an unforgettable artistic experience.

Les Printemps du MAC 2025 Organizing Committee | © Bruno Guerin

Noteworthy contributions came from sponsors like National Bank, which presented a striking Sabrina Ratté video installation.

And Bell Canada, which curated a refined networking lounge.

Ardene, Groupe Focus, La Maison Simons, Turkish Airlines and Vichy Laboratoires also helped shape the sensory landscape of the evening—proving that corporate support can be as creative as it is crucial. Special shoutout to Coupé Carré, Gaufab, Groupe APB, La Nouvelle Tablée, Raisonnable, Synergy Tech and Total Events for providing the interlocking pieces, big and small, needed for an event of this scale to function like clockwork.

In a city known for its nightlife, Les Printemps du MAC stood out as a luminous convergence of philanthropy, contemporary expression, and communal metamorphosis. By daring guests to embrace their alter ego, the Fondation du MAC not only raised essential funds but also reminded Montreal why art matters: it gives us the freedom to become.

Liens du MAC

Website
macm.org/en
macm.org/en/foundation
macm.org/en/catactivite/les-printemps-du-mac-en
Instagram
@macmontreal
@fondationdumacmontreal
@printempsmac
Facebook
@macmontreal
@FondationduMAC
@PrintempsMAC

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V

From fine dining restaurants to boutique hotel staycations to high society balls, V is a lifestyle writer who unlocks some of Montreal's best-kept secrets.