Introducing Louise Cloutier
My six year old self wanted to be a nun, so captivated was I by the artist rendered images in the first communion missal. That introduction to visual literacy was to stay rooted in the alternate endeavours I did pursue, becoming a life-long artist and art educator.
I am still drawn to subject matter that communicates a story. As my relationship with the image evolves, I look beyond physical realism for emotional and symbolic content to flesh out the narrative. My internal musings are manifested in my colour choices or the juxtaposition of unexpected shapes in familiar settings. These elements are employed to create underlying currents of mystery and tension in my work, heightening awareness of time, place, and human connection.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, I graduated from Concordia and McGill. Ten years into my teaching career I moved to Nova Scotia where I pursued painting, designing and building my home studio , as well as devoting an additional 25 years to the teaching of art.
I am the recipient of a national Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence; Certificate of Achievement, and the Nova Scotia Provincial Education Award for Bringing Arts to Life.
Upon retirement I opened ArtQuarters, a studio classroom that I ran from 2016-2020. During the summer and fall months I, along with invited guest artists, offered art classes, workshops and art socials. Though the physical site of ArtQuarters is no longer, I continue to offer special workshops to elders in the East Cumberland Lodge and youth in the schools. I also keep community abreast of cultural events at www.facebook.com/ArtQuartersPugwash and www.facebook.com/Art in Pugwash
I am a long standing member of the Pugwash Artist Collective, a vibrant group of diverse and supportive artists. We exhibit annually. Two fellow-members and I, with the support of Communities in Bloom and various sponsors, launched the Pugwash Open Air Gallery to support local artistic excellence and to grow the cultural footprint of our community.
In this website I present to you decades of work that emerged long after that time in grade one when I wondered who I would be. Thanks for visiting!
RESUME for LOUISE CLOUTIER
Artist
Solo/Two-Person Art Exhibits
September Featured Artist Louise Cloutier: 2023 Focal Point Photography and Framing, Amherst, NS
James Dougherty Goes to Remsheg: 2022 (Permanent Collection) Cumberland County Museum and Archives, Amherst, NS
The Wallace Swing Bridge; 2022 (Permanent Collection),Wallace Museum, Wallace, NS
Neither Rhyme Nor Reason, 2018
Paintings by Louise Cloutier and Poetry by Richard Dittami
Oxford Riverside Gallery, Oxford, NS
Between the Lines; Solo, 2000
Truro Library
Works by Louise Cloutier; Solo, 1996
The Art Connection/Watermark Gallery, Amherst
Then Again… Works by Louise Cloutier-Davidson; Solo, 1994
The Art Connection/Watermark Gallery, Amherst
Works by Louise Cloutier and Barbara Carter ; 1991
Fraser Cultural Center, Tatamagouche
Group Art Exhibits
2021 “The Mechanic”, Pugwash Open Air Gallery, (Invitational, Permanent Collection), Pugwash, NS
2020- ” The Ross Brothers”, Pugwash Open Air Gallery, (Juried, Permanent Collection), Pugwash, NS
2018 “Nonesuch Paper Awards”, (Juried, Travelling Show) Main and Station Gallery, Parrsboro and Montreal
Pugwash Artist Collective Group Shows:
2023 “Ripple Effect”, August- Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
2021 “Domestically Modified”, August- Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
2019 “Back to the Land”, July- Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
2018 “The Peace Show”, July- The Peace Hall, Pugwash, NS
2017 “A Murder of Crows”, July- Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
2016 “the Rest of the Story”, September, Riverside Gallery, Oxford, NS
2015 Pop-Up Gallery, July- Basic Spirit, Pugwash, NS
2014 “Lore”August- Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
2013 “Opposite Attractions”, Brick House, Pugwash, NS
2011 “Company Soup”, July- Fraser Gallery, Tatamagouche, NS
Professional Artist Affiliations and Accolades
2022: Co-organizer of Art in the Park during Pugwash Harbourfest 2019: Project Pugwash Open Air Art Gallery, Co-Founder
2017: Co-Recipient of Communities in Bloom’s Community in Action Pride Award for Community Vision
2017: Art Mentor for Writing on Fire, Pugwash
1995-2015: Founder and curator for the Jean Wallace Art Gallery, PDHS
1995-1999: Member of the Board of Directors for Visual Arts Nova Scotia
Published
“A Picturesque Town-featured artist Louise Cloutier”
Article by Stephen Roberts
Cumberland Wire, June 16, 2021
“Louise Cloutier-Featured Artist”
The Griffin- A Quarterly Publication of Heritage Trust of NS
March 2020-Vol45-No.1
“Shredding Plywood- Book of Poetry by Richard Dittami”
Artwork by Louise Cloutier
Black Dog and One-Eyed Press, 2020
“Outside In. The creative haven of artist Louise Cloutier.”
Article by Sara Jewell
Ah! At Home on the North Shore/Spring 2019
“Inner Journey: Works by Linda Johns”
Review by Louise Cloutier
Visual Arts News; Volume 18, Number 2, summer 1996
“Then Again…Works by Louise Cloutier-Davidson”
Review by Regina Coupar, Artist
Visual Arts News; Volume 18, Number 3, fall 1996
“Jan Haynes, Chap Haynes, and George Halverson”
Review by Louise Cloutier
Visual Arts News; Volume 18, Number 4, winter 1996
Teacher
Certificates /Diplomas/Awards
- Recipient of the YMCA Community Peace Award for park installation, 2015
- Provincial Recipient of the Education Week Award Bringing Arts To Life, 2009
- Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence: Certificate of Achievement, 1999
- Nova Scotia Teaching Certificate, 1989
- Quebec Permanent Teaching Certificate, 1982
- Diploma in Education: McGill University, Montreal, 1980
- Bachelor of Fine Arts: Concordia University, Montreal, 1979
Teaching History
2016 to 2019: Founder of ArtQuarters, an art studio/classroom for adults, Pugwash
1990-2015: High School Art Teacher, Pugwash District High School
1980 -1989: Elementary School Teacher, Laval and Eastern Townships, Quebec
Professional Development, Grants, Teaching Opportunities
2021 Recipient of the NSTU Sheonoroil Foundation Grant for implementation of youth art in the Pugwash Open Air Gallery
2002- 2014 Recipient of a combined total of seven grants from PAINTS, ArtsSmarts, and the NSTU for enhancing art experiences in the classroom.
2005 Head Teacher at an ESL Summer Camp in Japan for elementary and high school students preparing for international student programs in NS
2004 Visual Literacy Workshop presenter at the Nova Scotia Teachers Association for Learning and Literacy (NSTALL) members
2004 Art Teacher at a two week, ESL Winter Camp for elementary school students in Anseong, South Korea preparing for international student programs in NS
2003 Completed an On-line course in Digital Imaging offered by CCRSB
2002 Attended a week long, Open-Air Painting Workshop in Venice, Italy
2001 Presented an art workshop to local community artists in Pugwash
2000 Presented Visual Literacy Workshop to NSTALL members
Published Teaching-Related Magazine Articles
PDHS Scarecrows interview with Louise Cloutier
The Teacher, NSTU newspaper, November 2008
PDHS Art Program
Article by Louise Cloutier
In Contact; School Board Publication, Winter 2003
Misbehaviour in the Classroom
Article by Louise Cloutier
Canadian Issues; March/April issue, 2001
Art, the Real Thing
Article by Louise Cloutier
Visual Arts News; Volume 19, Number 1, Spring
