Zénon-Alary Park

This lovely urban park, featuring a wide variety of landscaped areas and picnic tables, pays tribute to the artist-sculptor Zénon Alary (1894-1974).

Zénon Alary was born in a municipality not far from here, in Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts. He moved around the 1950s to Sainte-Adèle, near the Mont-Rolland bridge.

Zénon discovered his talent for wood carving during the crisis of the 1930s. He created small works that he sold to tourists at the Mont-Rolland train station. In a short time, he became known and, over time, recognized. His pieces became highly sought after. 

Photo: Zénon Alary in his workshop. Zénon-Alary Museum Collection.

The legacy left by Zénon Alary consists of various elements of Laurentian fauna and flora. There are also religious and traditional Quebec scenes. His pieces are usually left in natural wood, sometimes varnished.

Photo: Zénon Alary at the exhibition on Île Sainte-Hélène in 1939. Gauvreau, Jean-Marie, “Zénon Alary, Animal Sculptor,” La revue Moderne, Montreal, April 1940, p. 16.

After his training in sculpture at the Monument National, Senator Jules-Édouard Prévost from Saint-Jérôme purchased one of his first major works: a moose.

Zénon Alary then exhibited in a store on Saint-Denis Street in Montreal. A piece depicting a carriage was bought as soon as the store opened. He later exhibited at the Jeanne-Mance Fair. His works sold well. Minister Paul Gouin, who became president of the Quebec Historical Monuments Commission, acquired several pieces and opened the doors to a wider clientele for him.

The artist was invited to participate in a major exhibition on Île Sainte-Hélène in 1939, alongside the Bourgault brothers from Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. The artists worked on-site under the eyes of the visitors. At 45, his career was launched.

At the time of his death in 1974, his work was so significant that one day, it was decided to open a museum to honor a great man from the North.

Simone Constantineau and several of her friends, including Marie-Marthe Lagarde, Fabienne Lanthier, Claire Lavallée, and her daughter Linda, brought the artist's works back to life by tracing over a hundred sculptures inspired by Canadian wildlife. In the mid-80s, the municipality of Mont-Rolland offered them a space on the second floor of the town hall. The Zénon-Alary Museum quickly stood out by winning the Heritage Preservation Award given by the Société nationale des Québécois.

Following the merger of the towns of Mont-Rolland and Sainte-Adèle in 1997, the town hall became a community center, and part of the building was reserved for the Zénon-Alary Museum. A foundation now ensures its sustainability.

Photo: Totem sculpted by Zénon Alary and installed in front of the sculptor's stone house. Collection of the Zénon-Alary Museum.

The Zénon Alary Museum is located in the former town hall of Mont-Rolland. A selection of the 300 works acquired since the museum's founding is on display. These pieces are inspired by Canadian wildlife and our magnificent landscapes. Admission is free.

Photo: The easel of sculptor Zénon Alary along with some unfinished works. The Zénon Alary Museum, located at 1200 Claude-Grégoire Street, in Sainte-Adèle. Photo: Christiane Brault.