35 YEARS IN BRIEF AND IN FIGURES:

THE MEDUSA PEOPLE

The Medusa saw a lot of people passing by. Bold visitors at the beginning, then people passing through and Madelinots, of course. People who come and come back. But also interns, seasonal employees and artists from other disciplines.

CREATION

Creation is the heart of La Méduse. The Motivation to do more, to do better, to look beautiful. Glass has quietly carved out its place in the Madelinot artistic sector. La Méduse has shared the creations of its artisans on several scales since its beginnings. A job to do and redo again. Always sharing knowledge and techniques, with a workshop open to the public.

Participation in several individual and collective exhibitions, local, provincial and international.

A work from the 1% program - integration into architecture (Havre-aux-Maisons library).

More than ten meetings with other professional glassmakers from all over the world.

Participation in several artisan fairs (Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Halifax and The Islands).

More than 30 local and Quebec artists/artisans exhibited at La Méduse.

Five glass working techniques regularly used by the craftsmen of La Méduse where each craftsman has their preferences:

• blown glass
• blowtorch glass
• thermoformed glass
• cast glass
• hot carved glass

And how many handmade glass pieces in the workshop? How many glass jellyfish made in the glass workshop? A lot a lot….! The technique which was developed by François Turbide in his early days, and which gave its name to the company, also gives its unique character to the jellyfish of La Méduse. These paperweights are still today, 30 years later, the emblem of our blown glass workshop.

VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT

Through the personal and voluntary involvement of its artisans, La Méduse has contributed and still contributes to the cultural influence of Madelinot artists and artisans on the islands and in Quebec.

Arrimage Islands Cultural Corporation
Member of the Board: 1990-1996 and 2014-2016

Quebec Crafts Council
Member of the Committee of the Regions: 1996-2001 and 2014-2020

Quebec Crafts Council
Member of the Board: 2000-2006

Cultural Business Development Company (SODEC)
Artistic crafts commission: 2002-2003

Tourism in the Magdalen Islands
Member of the Board: 2004-2010 and 2020-2022

And… 35 years of explanations and demonstrations of glass work to allow people to see, experience and understand workshop work, glass work and the reality of artisans.

THE WEATHER

Time has passed and is still passing. This year he is celebrating the 35th anniversary of La Méduse and who knows what he will celebrate later. He spent the sometimes sweet, sometimes hard days of the life of an artisan, to build, through perseverance and determination, the Medusa that we know. But we had to take the time to make the right decisions.

5 years of reflection before launching La Verrerie La Méduse (1979-1984)

5 years of reflection before moving La Verrerie La Méduse (2000-2005)

15 years of independent work: 1985-2000 and 20 years of seasonal work (1985-2005) before incorporating the company

1 big move in 2005

15 years of workshop / boutique / gallery open all year round (2005-2020)

5 years of reflection and adjustments before transferring the business for Catherine and Sophie (2015-2019)

Now that the next generation is well established and each has added their own color to the company, the second generation of glassblowers is well established at La Méduse. For the best, they wish!