When public art meets personal experience
It is not uncommon to see artists continue their work beyond the “expected” age of retirement. Why? Because living for one’s passion is more than a job: it’s a calling that never leaves creators during their lifetime. This is the case for Margotella, whom you may have had the chance to see perform at the MURAL Festival. Le Groupe Maurice is more than proud to have partnered with this flagship event of Montreal’s public art scene, which, among other things, dared to spotlight a highly experienced and talented artist.
Public art as a reflection of vibrant aging
Is there any more compelling way to show that growing older means continuing to thrive than by highlighting senior artists still creating remarkable work? Paired with a bold public art initiative, the message resonates even deeper. This alignment is exactly why Le Groupe Maurice partnered with the MURAL Festival – an organization that proudly championed a seasoned artist, perfectly embodying the company’s values.
An abundance of hues
If you strolled along Saint-Laurent Boulevard at the intersection of Marianne Street between June 5th and 15th, you might have witnessed multidisciplinary artist Margotella, 68, at work with her brushes, collaborating with renowned muralist ZEK – whose reputation precedes him, as his murals adorn countless spaces across the city. The vibrant, colourful piece now gracing the northern facade of Le Darling restaurant-bar is the artists’ free interpretation of Le Groupe Maurice’s iconic phrase, “To age is to live.”
To fuel their creativity, Margotella and ZEK held a session with twenty Le Groupe Maurice residents, listening to their personal views on aging. The moving stories shared during this encounter left the artists brimming with raw inspiration, which they channeled into a collaborative mural that reflects their unique, colour-rich vision of life’s later chapters.
On June 13th, the residents who participated returned to see the mural take shape in real time, observing Margotella and ZEK in their creative process. Several enthusiastically picked up paintbrushes themselves, adding spontaneous collaborative touches and even signing their names to this vibrant community artwork.
“I deeply believe in people’s energy and the intention behind a work of art. By contributing to this mural, each resident added something personal. In my opinion, that’s what makes the result even more extraordinary – it created a piece that’s richer in meaning for all of us,” Margotella reflected.
The goal behind this initiative remains clear: to shatter myths surrounding aging. By celebrating creative, fulfilled older adults who savour each day – who keep having fun, staying engaged and truly living – the concept of joyful aging gradually takes root in even the most skeptical hearts, transforming perceptions.
“I was so moved by the residents’ stories,” added muralist ZEK. “For me, aging has now become a gentler, more natural stage of life. I feel truly enriched by this experience of co-creating this mural with them and my friend Margotella!”
You can now admire Margotella and ZEK’s mural year-round at the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Marianne Street. It’s worth the trip: a luminous, visionary work full of hope awaits you!
