About five years ago, artists and artisans from Saint-Léonard got together to help develop the artistic side of the borough. Under the name Création Léonarts, the nonprofit organization was founded on the principle that Saint-Léonard offers a lot of creativity when it comes to arts and crafts.

"We wanted to publicize our artists and artisans through exhibitions and promotions," says Création Léonarts president Lise Belzile. "We are in the process of creating a thorough website to help our members."

Those who apply to Création Léonarts are subject to an evaluation and their approval is determined by a couple of criteria. "The paintings have to be original versions and, as for the artisans, they have to modify at least 50 percent of their materials," explains Belzile.

Création Léonarts, which is also open to artists and artisans from outside Saint-Léonard, offers promotional tools and a way into an arts and crafts fellowship for as little as $10 a year.

Every November, Création Léonarts also organizes an exhibition where members and non-members can sell their creations. This year, the event takes place at the Saint-Léonard Library from November 25 to 27. "We want to help artists out of their isolation, help them sell their products and publicize them," says Création Léonarts board member Maria Mulè, who also sits on the board of Les Amis de la Peinture de Saint-Léonard, which offers courses in painting to amateurs.

Mulè believes that a collective effort will help the creators of the neighbourhood. "We are not alone, and non-profit organizations like Léonarts, Les Amis and Les Sculpteurs de Saint-Léonard are bound to succeed. They have for 30 years, in the case of Les Amis!"

Both residents of the northeast district for more than 40 years, Belzile and Mulè are part of the life of Saint-Léonard. Along with the rest of the team at Création Léonarts, they’re trying to help their fellow artists and artisans achieve what they were meant to and show it to the world.

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www.creationleonarts.blogspot.com