Madeleine Dansereau facts for kids

Madeleine Dansereau (born in 1922 – died on March 20, 1991) was a talented Canadian artist and teacher. She made history as the first woman to become a professional jeweler in Quebec. She was also known by her full name, Madeleine Maranda-Dansereau.

Early Life and Artistic Journey

Madeleine Maranda was born in Montreal, Canada. She loved art from a young age. She studied painting at the famous École des beaux-arts de Montréal, which is a well-known art school. There, she learned from important artists like Arthur Lismer and Jacques de Tonnancour.

In 1953, she married Arthur Dansereau. They had two daughters together.

Madeleine's passion for art led her to jewelry making. From 1959 to 1965, she trained in Montreal with Philippe Vauthier, a skilled jeweler from Switzerland. This training helped her become an expert in creating beautiful jewelry.

Founding a School of Jewelry

Madeleine Dansereau wanted to share her knowledge and passion for jewelry making. In 1973, she co-founded a special school called the École de joaillerie et de métaux d'Art. This school taught students how to make jewelry and work with metals. She started it with Armand Brocharda, another jeweler from Belgium.

Her work was shown in many places. From 1977 to 1990, her art was displayed in big cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Montreal, and Toronto.

Special Designs and Legacy

Madeleine Dansereau created some very important designs. In 1981, she designed the "Grand Montréalais" trophy. This is a special award given to important people in Montreal.

Later, in 1985, she designed the medals for the National Order of Quebec. This is a very high honor given by the government of Quebec to people who have done great things for the province.

Madeleine Dansereau passed away in Montreal in 1991. Her artistic legacy continues to be celebrated. In June 1996, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts held a special exhibition of her jewelry and metal artwork. Her pieces are now part of the collections at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Canadian Museum of History.

To honor her, a street in Montreal was named Rue Madeleine-Dansereau. Also, in 2001, a special award called the Prix Madeleine-Dansereau was created by the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles. This award helps support cultural businesses and artists, continuing Madeleine's spirit of creativity and education.