Salon des métiers d’art du Québec

The Salon des métiers d’art du Québec is an exhibition/sale of works created by certified members of the Quebec Craft Council. To be accepted as a member, candidates must submit a dossier to a committee of peers, which then confirms their expertise and the quality of their products.

For its first edition in 1955, the event was actually just an area devoted to crafts in the 19th edition of the Salon des arts culinaires, held in the Montreal Palais du Commerce. The following year, artisans organized their own fair entitled Exposition annuelle de l’artisanat. The group changed this name several times over the years before settling on Salon des métiers d’arts in 1965. In 1970, the event moved to Place Bonaventure, where it remains to this day. The 2019 edition will take place over 17 days in December.

Over 400 artists and artisans working in wood, glass, metal, textiles, paper and ceramics take part in the Salon.

Every year, an artisan with at least 10 years of professional experience is awarded the Prix Jean-Marie-Gauvreau for an original work or collection created in the past five years, while the Prix de la relève Jean-Cartier recognizes the original work of an emerging artisan with less than five years of professional experience. The Salon also hands out awards to recognize members with various years of experience and those with the most attractive display at the fair.

Quebec City has organized its own craft fair since 1980. Entitled Plein Art, this event takes place outside in the summer months under marquees and attracts over one hundred exhibitors.