Two New Exhibitions are Coming to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum on May 2, 2026

Press Release – Mississippi Valley Textile Museum

Two new exhibitions are coming to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in May! Attend the vernissage for “Carole Baillargeon: Rock Paper Scissors” and “Tartan: Culture & Cloth” on Saturday, May 2 at 1 p.m. Both exhibitions will be on display until July 26, 2026.

Over the last 40 years, Carole Baillargeon has developed a rich hybrid practice in visual arts, with references to manual trades, craft and scenography. Curated by José Niaison, four bodies of work have been brought together in “Carole Baillargeon: Rock Paper Scissors”, offering an overview of Baillargeon’s artistic considerations and technical approaches. Two series of works, one in 2D and the other in 3D, made of handmade paper; a large installation of felted stones and metal objects recalling our ancestral agricultural heritage; and a three-part series of transformed and expressive tools. This exhibition is supported by Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.

“Carole Baillargeon explores the notion of belonging to a territory, and to generations of hard-working people. In her practice, the act of making, laborious and slow, becomes part of the artwork,” said José Niaison, Guest Curator. “Through the use of natural pigments and fibres, hand tools and found objects, she gives emotional presence to often unspoken human experiences: tenderness, awe, beauty, pain, and grief.”

Hosted in partnership with Almonte Celtfest and curated by Meaghan Guthrie and Makayla Moore, “Tartan: Culture & Cloth” invites visitors to explore the history, heritage, and unexpected global journey of this iconic cloth. Tartan is more than just a fabric; it is a symbol of kinship, identity, and rebellion woven through centuries and across cultures. This timeless textile represents the history and stories of the Celtic peoples and reveals how a simple piece of fabric can embed itself in culture, art, and design. 

This year, Almonte Celtfest celebrates its 30th anniversary and will take place from July 3-5, 2026 in Gemmill Park.

“Tartan is one of the most iconic and enduring symbols of cultural identity across the world, particularly in communities like ours that were shaped by Irish and Scottish immigrants,” Makayla Moore, Guest Curator, Almonte Celtfest. “We're grateful to partner with the MVTM to celebrate a textile so deeply woven into everyday life that its turbulent and complex history is often overlooked. Both visually striking and intricately crafted, tartan captures the eye while carrying a powerful legacy. This exhibit invites visitors to experience its beauty while exploring the tumultuous history and lasting cultural significance behind the pattern."

“Though they’re very different, they both carry a historical thread and bring a contemporary lens to agricultural practices and a fabric that has been around for hundreds of years. I look forward to seeing the gallery spaces transformed. I think they will allow visitors to learn and reflect, and we’re looking forward to bringing them to the museum and local community,” said Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Executive Director/Curator, Mississippi Valley Textile Museum.