FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stories Through the Lens: A Photo Exhibit Honoring Little Burgundy
New Exhibit at MMFA Showcases the Strength, Resilience, and Transformation of a Montreal Neighborhood
Montreal, QC — April 11, 2025 — The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is proud to host Stories Through the Lens, a new photo exhibit running from May 6 to June 10, 2025, that highlights everyday life, change, and resilience in the historic neighborhood of Little Burgundy.
The exhibit shares a powerful visual story about a community that has often been overlooked. Through a collection of photographs from personal archives, local artists, and community members, the event aims to show how Little Burgundy’s residents lived, organized, and supported each other during a time when their neighborhood was changing fast—especially in the 1960s, when much of the area was demolished for new developments.
“Elisa Gauthier, community coordinator for the Little Burgundy Heritage Collective and one of the exhibit’s lead organizers, says, ‘Little Burgundy isn’t just a place on the map. It’s a community full of history, culture, and people who stood up for each other. These photos capture the stories that often go unheard—from families gathering on their steps to powerful moments when neighbors came together to fight for their homes.’”
The opening event on May 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. will feature a talk with former residents, youth leaders, and artists who will speak about the past and present of the neighborhood. Admission to the exhibit and all related events is free and open to all ages.
This project is inspired by the 1969 documentary Little Burgundy, which showed how local residents formed a committee to speak out at City Hall against demolition plans. That same spirit of action and community is what this exhibit hopes to bring to life through visuals.
Visitors will also get a chance to take part in interactive stations, where they can write or record their own memories of the neighborhood, or listen to short audio stories collected from longtime residents. School groups are encouraged to attend, with special guided tours available upon request.
The exhibit is organized by the Little Burgundy Heritage Collective, in partnership with the Montreal Black History Association, and supported by the MMFA’s education and outreach team.
Event Location:
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)
1380 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC H3G 1J5
About the Little Burgundy Heritage Collective
The Little Burgundy Heritage Collective is a community-based group that works to preserve and share the stories of one of Montreal’s most culturally rich neighborhoods. Through projects like exhibits, storytelling, and education, the Collective helps keep the voices of past and present residents alive.
Media Contact:
Carolina Proença
Event Communications Coordinator
555-444-2025
stories@rememberburgundy.org