About
Created as part of Outremont 150th anniversary, this mural commissioned by the borough and produced by MU is part of the “Les bâtisseur·e·s culturel·le·s de Montréal” collection, which pays tribute to the influential figures who have shaped our collective identity. Designed by muralist Milkbox, it celebrates the exceptional contribution of Micheline Legendre, a pioneer of puppetry in Quebec and internationally.
Micheline Legendre (1923–2010) elevated puppetry to the status of a major art form. Founder of Les Marionnettes de Montréal, she brought more than 1,170 puppets to life, created 80 shows, and presented more than 16,000 performances on stage and on television, including the famous program La Boîte à surprise, which captured the imagination of generations of children.
A visionary and educator, she trained many puppeteers, organized the first International Puppet Festival in Montreal, and actively contributed to the International Puppetry Association. Rodoudou, her iconic character, embodies the spirit of transmission and complicity that runs through all her work.
Recognized with prestigious distinctions—Chevalier of the Ordre national du Québec and Officer of the Order of Canada—Micheline Legendre paved the way for future generations. Through her boundless creativity, high standards, and generosity, she transformed the art of puppetry into a universal language, carrying memories and dreams.
Mural artist Milkbox (Kayla Buium) drew on the essence of this legacy to create a work where surrealism and theater meet. The mural explores the intimate connection between the puppeteer and her creation, that fragile moment when the crafted being finds its breath and emancipates itself. Through this gesture, she invites us to reflect on the mark left by the artist and on the creative power that gives life.
