SMAQ stands out as a must-visit destination for unique last-minute gifts
Montréal, December 19, 2025 – There is only one weekend left to discover the Salon des métiers d’art du Québec (SMAQ). It’s the perfect opportunity to meet the artisans in person, learn more about their craftsmanship, and find original, locally made creations crafted with care.
As the holidays approach, the SMAQ stands out as a must-visit destination for unique last-minute gifts that are meaningful and showcase the richness of Québec’s creative talent. Here is a taste of what you can look forward to this weekend and perhaps what you may have missed in the previous days.
A New Vision for the Fine Crafts Sector
An artisan, entrepreneur, and pioneer of sustainable fashion, Mariouche Gagné is the first woman and the first craft-based creator to lead the CMAQ. Best known for her brand Harricana, she brings to the organization a perspective deeply rooted in creativity, sustainability, and the value of handmade craftsmanship.
“As an artisan myself, I know how much a fair can change a trajectory — through encounters, orders, and collaborations. Today, the SMAQ remains true to its essential mission: to build bridges between creators and the public — while looking toward the future. We want to make the Salon a vibrant, forward-looking space where sustainable innovation, knowledge transmission, and emerging talent coexist with heritage craftsmanship. With the SMAQ, we offer a curated pop-up gift shop that celebrates the human story behind every object,” explains Gagné.
Gagné will be joined by fashion journalist and columnist Lolitta Dandoy, returning as spokesperson for the SMAQ. Passionate about Quebec design and sustainable craft, she champions local purchasing and authentic encounters between creators and the public.
“When you shop at the Salon des métiers d’art, you’re not just buying a product or an object — you’re bringing home a piece, often unique, imagined and crafted by a local artisan. Even better, you’re supporting our local economy! That’s why I’m so proud to be the spokesperson for the most beautiful ‘Christmas market.’ My advice for enjoying the Salon to the fullest? Get a pass and come more than once! Stroll around, take in the program, chat with the artisans, and savour the experience… That’s true luxury!” says Dandoy.
Thematic Zones
The 2025 Salon des métiers d’art du Québec invites visitors to discover fine crafts in a new light through a lively pathway structured around three major thematic zones and four major exhibitions celebrating Quebec’s creativity and expertise.
- The Art of Living Zone brings together ceramics, tableware, cutlery, wood, and design objects — carefully selected pieces for the kitchen, home, and holiday table, where the elegance of the gesture meets the intelligence of materials in creations that are both functional and inspiring.
- The Fashion and Accessories Zone highlights jewellery, leather, textiles, and clothing, with creators working noble materials that blend elegance, innovation, and sustainability.
- The Family Zone offers a welcoming environment designed for discovery, featuring mini-demonstrations and playful content for all ages.
Exhibitions: Celebrating the Unique Piece
This year, the SMAQ presents a curated series of exhibitions celebrating creativity, knowledge transmission, and the diversity of contemporary craft practices. Featured exhibitions include:
- François-Houdé Award — Solo • Charlie Larouche-Potvin (glass)
Mastery, breath, and light: a selection of spectacular works recently showcased internationally, revealing the full expressive power of contemporary glass art. - François-Houdé Award — Finalists
A showcase of excellence featuring emerging creators redefining the craft landscape in Quebec and highlighting a promising generational renewal. - Newcomers’ Pathway — Integration Through Craft
Cabinetmaking, mobiles, and wall sculptures created through a professional mentorship program — a sensitive meeting between human journeys and material expertise, where each piece tells a story of creation and integration. - Tribute Award — France Fauteux (ceramics)
A major figure in Quebec ceramics, France Fauteux has, since the late 1960s, shaped a world where human emotion takes form in anthropomorphic bestiaries. The exhibition brings together intimate and monumental works where clay interacts with other materials, continuing her exploration begun with Le temps des arbres(2019). This poetic journey reflects her dream of an “imaginary land where harmony and happiness reign.”
Architecture & Heritage Space
New in 2025. The CMAQ is proud to present, at the heart of the Salon, a space dedicated to Indigenous and Inuit creators from Canada’s three northern territories. At booths T8 to T12, five artists from each territory will take turns exhibiting and selling works inspired by their cultures and their deep connection to the northern landscape.
This initiative is made possible through partnerships with the Arts TNO Program (Government of the Northwest Territories), the Northern Cultural Expressions Society (supported by the Government of Yukon), and the Nunavut Development Corporation (supported by the Government of Nunavut).
Schedule of cohorts: Northwest Territories (Dec. 11–13), Nunavut (Dec. 14–17), Yukon (Dec. 18–21).
Passports On Sale Now
With more than 15,000 original creations on display and nearly 40,000 visitors expected, the Salon promises an experience that is both human and inspiring — where beauty, sustainability, and local creativity intersect.
This pass provides unlimited access to all eleven days of the Salon, allowing visitors to return as often as they like to discover, connect, and be inspired at their own pace.
On sale now at metiersdart.ca
lead photo © Benoit Rousseau
Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca
