photo credit Diane Laberge

By Nathalie Rivard 

Since her arrival in Knowlton in 2007, Isabelle Daval has made her mark as a model of community commitment and creativity. What began as a fondness for a chalet and the region, has turned into a life of community engagement and the promotion of art. A former pattern maker, Daval realized her passion for art by opening her Hors-Cadre art gallery in 2015. This avant-garde space hosts artist residencies and fosters unique collaborations with local artists and other members of the community. 

With her innovative spirit, Daval has showcased regional talent through initiatives like “The great exhibition of little masterpieces,” transforming her gallery into a cultural hub. “It’s about 50 artists each November that I gathered to promote the recognition and flourishing of art in the region,” she says.

Daval’s community projects, such as the lantern garden, initially created with Sylvain Bolduc, have gained significant prominence, becoming regional must-see events that attract a broad and diverse audience. The Fairy Trail and the birdhouses, examples of her other initiatives, continue to provide magical moments by mobilizing schools and residents of all ages.

Each season, with the help of volunteers, she transforms the Fairy Trail into an immersive experience, whether with Christmas decorations or a haunted alley for Halloween. The rock painting project, which resulted in a huge community mandala installed on the trail, has seen the community centre turn into a workshop where people of all ages came to paint rocks together, from young children with their parents to their grandparents. For the Lantern Garden, she relies on the invaluable help of her partner Marc Côté, as well as numerous volunteers.

An active member of the municipal cultural committee, Daval supports inclusive and participatory art. “Art enriches the soul, and everyone should have the chance to create, exhibit, and share. Art is truly a vector of community cohesion and pride,” she says. All her projects come to life, thanks to the help of volunteers, she says. With that kind of determination and mutual support, Daval says we have the power to transform not only our immediate environment but also the very fabric of our society.

Despite her boundless energy, Daval says she struggles to balance her community engagement with her artistic practice. She says she plans to dedicate more time to her painting, sculpture, and her gallery predominantly displays her works that reflect the beauty of Lac-Brome and Kamouraska.

Her Hors-Cadre gallery welcomes visitors from Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day to the end of December, offering a space where art and community meet.