To celebrate its half-century milestone, L’Imagier in Aylmer opened its doors to the community
for an evening filled with nostalgia and gratitude, honouring 50 years of imagination, art, and
shared memories.

The event, titled Au fil de l’imaginaire , marked the second chapter of a retrospective exhibition
that retraced the creative journey of its founder, Pierre Debain, while paying tribute to Yvette, his
lifelong partner and cornerstone of the institution’s spirit. Melissa Phillips, a member of the
L’Imagier team, described the night as “reviving a memory,” a moment to reconnect with the
legacy of two individuals whose vision helped shape the region’s artistic landscape.

Curated by their grandson Simon Debain, the exhibition weaves together the past and present,
showing how L’Imagier has grown from a humble home into a vibrant centre for contemporary
visual arts. The space, rebuilt in 2012, yet still echoing traces of the original Debain residence,
stands as a living testament to continuity and community.

Guests were invited to rediscover Pierre’s intimate works, including sketches, charcoals, and
pastels offered in small formats, symbolic of the accessibility and inclusivity that have always
defined the centre. With conversation, reflection, and an atmosphere reminiscent of Yvette’s
legendary hospitality, the evening became, as Phillips put it, “like bringing memory back to life.”

Photo: Tashi Farmilo