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Louise Genest was born in Montréal in 1949. After majoring in Education at university, she put her Master’s degree on hold in order to live in Paris for a year. Once there, she took a bookbinding course in the XVI arrondissement, and discovered her true vocation.

Returning to Montréal, she continued to improve her skills by studying with Monique Lallier. After four years of meticulous, solitary work, she moved to New York for two years, where she studied various techniques related to book restoration and conservation. Her experiences there enabled her to open her own workshop and teach. That same year, she founded the Association des Relieurs du Québec, and served as its president for three years. During her mandate, she created the ARQ Journal and worked closely with various organizations in order to bring internationally renowned bookbinders to Montréal.

Her work and reputation earned her the title of Master Bookbinder, granted by the German-based International “Meister der Einbandkunst”Association. She has won many prizes, including the ‘Grand Prix des Métiers d’art du Québec’, the Canadian Bookbinders’ and Book Artists’ Guild Design Award, and the prestigious Saidye Bronfman Award.

Genest is currently living in France, where she is still continuing with her bookbinding – albeit at a slower pace!

Related items: More About the Book Artists, Louise Genest