MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) presents a unique multisensory experience designed by blind artist Collin van Uchelen. This event aims to make the art of fireworks accessible to people living with visual disabilities, while also allowing sighted participants to learn how to describe fireworks through tactile methods.
This inclusive evening is bilingual and takes place at a vineyard located approximately 50 minutes from Montréal. The event includes:
- A friendly gathering with a tasting of a vineyard beverage
- A tactile Fingerworks for Fireworks workshop led by the artist
- A short pyromusical work, Awaken from Darkness, created by the artist
- Round-trip transportation from Montréal
Participants experience the event in pairs, allowing for a tactile and sensory exploration of fireworks.
Practical Information
Date
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Schedule
6:00 PM — Departure from MAI, 3680 Jeanne-Mance street, Montreal, H2X 2K5
11:30 PM — Return to MAI
Location
Vignoble Coteau Rougemont, approximately 50 minutes from Montréal
Fee: $20 (includes transportation + 1 beverage) Everyone, including accompanying guests, must reserve and pay for their seat.
Languages: French and English
Registration
As spaces are limited, we recommend registering as soon as possible. To reserve please contact Brigitte Nadeau at 514-226-6688 or complete this short form. You will then be invited to complete payment in a second step.
About the Experience
The event takes place among the apple orchards and vineyards of Vignoble Coteau Rougemont, approximately 50 minutes from Montreal. Transportation departs from MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) by bus. Upon arrival at the vineyard, participants are welcomed with a beverage from the vineyard.
A 90-minute multisensory workshop takes place in the vineyard’s reception hall. The evening concludes with a pyromusical presentation created by the artist. The fireworks display is weather-dependent and may be cancelled in the event of strong winds for safety reasons. The workshop and tasting will take place regardless.
About the Artist
Collin van Uchelen, PhD, is a blind conceptual artist, community psychologist, and pyrotechnician based in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). His artistic practice explores techniques for translating the light of pyrotechnic art into non-visual forms using tactile representations and audio description. Collin presents a multisensory pyromusical performance that uses fireworks to illustrate his own experience of vision loss due to a progressive eye condition that led to blindness.
He is also exhibiting at MAI until May 16 as part of the exhibition Wayfinders: au gré des sens. We also invite you to discover his installations composed of three tactile and illuminated panels, along with a three-dimensional work.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, until May 16, 2026. Free entry.