Espace 230

Formerly known as Espace 230, the idea of ​​an art studio with an exhibition space open to the public was originally conceived in 2019, then (re)launched in February 2020, following a complete renovation of the premises to present and promote the studios of its artists, Sylvie Adams and myself.

Following the pandemic and the departure of the other artists, Espace 230 began to present exhibitions by guest artists.

One problem remained: although at Belgo, the space was not only located on the second floor, away from the other galleries, but also completely lost in a maze of corridors.

This led to the creation and posting of a complete list of galleries and their current exhibitions in the building, and subsequently, the Belgo.art website.

Espace St-Jean

In September 2023, the studio-gallery moved to room 521, taking the name Espace St‑Jean, with the aim of becoming a venue for the presentation of visual art, featuring guest artists and its studio.

In January 2025, the space moved to room 423 of the Belgo, a new, more serene location conducive to creation and exhibitions, while remaining at the heart of the action.

Nicknamed "the gallery floor," the fourth floor of the Belgo building alone includes a dozen galleries, art centers, and artist studios, out of the twenty-four currently housed at the Belgo.

In this more restricted space, the studio-gallery changed its name again to better reflect its purpose: to prioritize the creation and promotion of its founder's works.

The studio-gallery remains open to the public and will continue to present exhibitions on a permanent basis, while retaining the possibility of organizing future annual group exhibitions.

The Belgo Building

Formerly the luxury department store Scroggie's, the Belgo building was designed in 1912, then completed in 1913 by architects Finley & Spence.

Following the exodus from the fur district to the Chabanel sector in the 1980s, artists gradually began to settle there, organizing temporary exhibitions, then setting up their studios and eventually, art galleries.

the Belgo building takes its name from the Belgo Canadian Pulp & Paper Company, a pulp and paper company of Brussels origin whose main factory was established in Shawinigan, thus keeping its head office in Montreal.

The Belgo building houses the largest concentration of contemporary art galleries in Canada (nearly thirty a few years ago), as well as a number of artists' and designers' studios, architect firms, and communications companies.

You can find the list of all exhibitions currently happening withing the building on the belgo.art website.