50 years of passion and collaboration: discover the anniversary collection of l'Empreinte Cooperative
Imagine a place where artisans, masters of their own craft, come together to create artwork that goes beyond individual skill. That’s exactly what happened at L'Empreinte Coopérative in order to celebrate our 50th anniversary. This special collection, born of unprecedented collaborations, is much more than just an art exhibition: it’s a living testament to what it means to be a member of a cooperative where creativity and collaboration are at the heart of everything.
The spark of collaboration
Some of our artisans had dreamed of creating together for years. When the idea for the special 50th anniversary collection was suggested, it was as if a spark had lit a fire of creativity. Ceramic artist Mathilda Lovell remembers: “Julie-Soleil Nadeau (weaver and leatherworker) and I had wanted to work together for a while. The 50th anniversary collection project gave us the opportunity to do so.” This opportunity opened the door to unique projects, where each creation is a reflection of the union of talents. As jeweler Isabelle Kapsaskis says:
“Each piece is a creation, a fusion of our two minds.”
For Alain Laferrière, cabinetmaker and toymaker, this collection is just a beginning:
“I love collaborations, it’s a chance for a first approach that might lead to other ideas emerging.”
With the creation each piece a new story is told, a fusion of minds and techniques that gives life to something completely new.
Creations that exude eco-responsible commitment
Beyond being simple collaboration, this collection also embodies a deep respect for the environment. Several of our artisans have chosen, for their creations, to favor the recovery and reuse of materials, thus producing unique pieces from what could have been lost. Katherine Paré, for example, explains her approach: “We try to leave as little waste as possible. My pencil cases, my bags are never the same length or the same size because I try to have no leftovers. I even recover the dyes.”
This eco-responsible approach gives each creation an additional dimension. The commitment to a more sustainable future.
For felt maker Sonya St-Gelais, this way of creating is a real source of happiness: “I reuse beautifully. It makes me happy!”
And it is this mindset, this desire to do better with less, that can be found in several pieces of this collection.
A creative adventure that has no limits
Every project in this collection was the result of exploration, where the artisans could push the boundaries of their creativity. Sonya who is used to creating large pieces of fabric, had to completely rethink her way of working to create small miniature pieces designed especially for her collaborations.
“I had to change my way of thinking, visualizing and projecting myself,” she confides.
For Julie-Soleil and Mathilda, the collaborative adventure was an opportunity to think outside the box:
"I told her, 'it'd be nice if we both had fun on our separate ends, doing something different from our regular production,'" says Julie-Soleil, talking about their planter project.
These collaborations have allowed artisans to discover each other in a new light, to broadened their creative horizons, and given birth to artwork that is unlike any other.
An ephemeral collection to seize
But be aware, this special 50th anniversary collection is only temporary! Several one-of-a-kind pieces are available exclusively at our boutique in Old-Montreal. And for those who can't come in person, we have set up the possibility of a virtual shopping session, so that everyone can discover these treasures without leaving home.
So, let yourself be carried away by the story of these creations, by the collaborations between artisans, and discover a collection that celebrates not only handmade craft, but also the spirit of community and innovation that drives l'Empreinte Cooperative.
As Pascale says, “Having this defined framework [for this special collection] gives us a little extra push that we’re going to have a beautiful finished product.”
Don't miss this unique opportunity to own a piece that embodies Quebec craftsmanship at its best, where every detail has a story, and where each collaboration is a piece of art in itself. It's an invitation to celebrate 50 years of passion, creativity and expertise with us.
ARTISANS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS IN THIS COLLECTION:
In usual order: Alain Laferrière, Julie-Soleil Nadeau, Mélanie Laplante, Sylvie Laframboise, Pascale Viau, Sonya St-Gelais, Mathilda Lovell, Isabelle Kaspsaskis, Katherine Paré, Elfenn Manrot
Discover all the collaborations of this special 50th anniversary collection
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