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OPTICA is pleased to once again open its doors to the general public for Nuit blanche à Montréal, inviting visitors to enjoy an evening of artistic discovery and hands-on creation in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Whether you come with family, friends, or on your own, you will have the opportunity to meet the artist Helena Martin Franco and explore her practice through the creative workshop The Body-Monument: Dancing to Keep Warm.
Linked to the exhibition Street Actions: Women Performing in Montreal and Toronto (1970–1980), curated by Didier Morelli and presented at OPTICA from January 16 to June 13, 2026, the artist invites participants to take part in a workshop where the body becomes a starting point for reflecting on women’s place in public space. Through movement-based activities and simple gestures, participants are encouraged to take a fresh look at the city and to transform their reflections into visual creations : drawings, collages, or small-scale models. A moment of creation and exchange to collectively explore the symbolic and political dimensions of our everyday actions.
Three workshops will take place at 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m., and will be co-led by the artist and an OPTICA mediator. All materials are provided free of charge by the centre, and participation is free. As space is limited, advance registration is required at mediationoptica@gmail.com .
Beyond the opportunity for a close encounter with a multidisciplinary Montreal-based artist, this event invites participants to experiment with new artistic practices in a playful, inclusive, and accessible setting.
Hot drinks and cookies will be available throughout the evening in a warm and welcoming creative space.
