ABOUT US

Create, innovate, share

With a loyal membership of over one hundred, the Presbytery Cultural Centre has become, over the years, a unique hub for creativity and community gathering in the Gatineau Valley.

Numerous artists and artisans of all ages exhibit their works there, each more original than the last. Stories are told, films are produced, shows and workshops are offered, recipes are created, connections are forged—in short, culture flourishes with all the authenticity and vibrancy of the people who bring it to life.

For over ten years, one element has remained constant: the desire to share.


Our Mission

The mission of the Blue Sea Rectory is:

  • to encourage creativity in the community;
  • to foster a sense of belonging and community spirit;
  • to cultivate public curiosity for all forms of creative expression;
  • to enrich the tourism experience of the municipality and the region;
  • to promote artists from the Outaouais region; and
  • to promote culture within the Blue Sea community and the MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau.

Our Values

  • Creativity
  • Inclusion
  • Hospitality
  • Pride
  • Respect for volunteering
  • Professionalism
  • Eco-responsibility
  • Our Awards

    2012 - Nicole-Patry Award, Outaouais Regional Cultural Council, Culturiades (Sylvie Grégoire)
    2012 - "People's Choice Award," Tourisme Vallée-de-la-Gatineau; finalist
    2014 - Finalist, cultural/artistic event, MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau
    2014 - Culturiades de l’Outaouais
    2016 - Community Engagement Award, MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau
    2019 - "People's Choice" Award, presented by the national organization Journées de la culture (Culture Days)
    2025 - Cultural Dedication Award, MRC Vallée-de-la-Gatineau

    Our History

    2012 - The origins of the Gallery

    In 2012, Sylvie Grégoire, a visual artist and teacher at the time, began approaching various organizations in the Blue Sea community and the surrounding region to create a gathering place for local art and artists.

    She dedicated herself to this project for several years, aiming to create an art gallery, a festive and welcoming space that would foster artistic expression in all its forms.

    Thanks to her commitment, she was able to invite a multitude of artists, both established and emerging, from various regions of Quebec and even beyond, who shared their art with the community. This landmark in the municipality of Blue Sea is now recognized as an enriching and dynamic environment for the local population and the entire MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau.

    A resident of Blue Sea, Ms. Grégoire continues to be actively involved, pursuing her work as an artist. She is a pioneer in the creation of this cultural center, a place that showcases creativity, passion, education, and the dissemination of knowledge through artistic expression.

    2015 - birth of the community garden

    Reine's Garden, named in honor of Reine Perreault, currently comprises an educational garden for the children of the Blue Sea Alternative School and a medicinal herb garden. The name of Reine Perreault, a sister involved with the Blue Sea School and a resident of the Presbytery, was given to both the school and the garden to honor her dedication.

    The medicinal herb garden allows volunteers to produce herbal teas and share the properties of various herbs with visitors to the cultural center.

    2017 - START OF THE CHRISTMAS FAIRS

    Each year, the volunteer team at the Blue Sea Rectory organizes a Christmas fair, for which they rent booths to local artists and craftsmen and create holiday decorations sold to benefit the organization.

    2019 - Start of the "Valley in Motion" Sports Days

    In September of each year, the volunteer team of the Blue Sea Presbytery organizes sports days called "Valley in motion", with the collaboration of local sports trainers from different disciplines, in order to get the local population moving and to promote the cultural center.

    2022 - INSTALLATION OF THE MUNICIPAL LIBRARY - BIBLIO NETWORK - IN THE PRESBYTERY PREMISES

    The library is open on Thursday and Sunday afternoons for the benefit of both children and adults. This is a wonderful collaboration with La Ruche d'art.

    2025 - LAUNCH OF THE ART HIVE AND OPENING OF THE CULTURAL CAFE LE BLISSE

    An Art Hive is a community art studio that welcomes everyone as an artist. Whether it's a temporary mini-hive in a neighborhood library or a larger community art studio or gallery, Art Hives are committed to inclusion, respect, and learning.

    It's a welcoming space for dialogue, creation, and community building. A place to respond creatively to what matters.

    What they say about us

    Tout culture -  Le Presbytère de Blue Sea : un catalyseur de rencontres humaines et artistiques

    4 juin 2026 - Un texte de José Lafleur


    Lové aux abords du lac du même nom, Le Presbytère de Blue Sea, dans la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, est devenu, au fil des ans, le cœur du village. Un lieu accueillant, vibrant et inclusif, où il fait bon se rassembler pour créer, exposer, jouer, échanger et apprendre les uns des autres. Résident·es, vacancier·es et visiteur·trices sont les bienvenu·es.


    En lire plus 

    Le Droit - De la visite internationale à Blue Sea: le Presbytère recrute outre-mer

    25 mai 2026 - Un texte de Mikael Clément


    Des artistes venus de France, du Maroc et de l’Algérie poseront leurs valises à Blue Sea pour quelques jours cet été. Ils s’installeront au Presbytère pour créer coude à coude avec les citoyens de la région.

    En lire plus 

    Collaborate with us!

    The Blue Sea Presbytery Association's Friends greatly benefits from the competence of its board members and the commitment of the volunteers who are active in this community hub.

    You would like to be part of the board of directors or become a member?

    The Presbytery collaborated with Reine-Perreault Elementary School in Blue Sea. Projects were also carried out with the active participation of students from Sacré-Cœur Elementary and Secondary School in Gracefield, as well as with the Jean-Bosco Centre in Maniwaki. Finally, video creation workshops were offered to adult education students from the Hauts-Bois-de-l’Outaouais School Board.

    You would like to collaborate with us?
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