Serge Malenfant

Serge Malenfant (1958 – July 11, 2026) was a Canadian muralist, illustrator, and promoter of regional and national heritage, whose work was primarily associated with his hometown of Sherbrooke, Quebec.

He was the founder and president of MURIRS, a non-profit organization responsible for Sherbrooke's historic trompe-l'œil mural circuit in the city's downtown, one of the municipality's principal tourist attractions.

Biography

Early life and education

Serge Malenfant was born in Sherbrooke in 1958. The son of Henri Malenfant and Rita Massé Among his best-known relatives was his older brother, Bernard Malenfant, founder of the ASTROLab in Lac-Mégantic.

Sherbrooke murals

Around the turn of the 21st century, Malenfant developed a project to integrate art into the public realm through historic trompe-l'œil murals. As Sherbrooke approached its bicentennial, he presented the idea to Mayor Jean Perrault, proposing that downtown walls be transformed into an open-air art gallery. The city endorsed the project, allowing the first mural to be completed in 2002 at the intersection of Frontenac and Dufferin streets.

To carry out the initiative, Malenfant founded MURIRS, serving as its president and coordinator. His partner, Julie Tremblay, director of the foundation of the Séminaire Salésien, also became involved in the organization.

In 2025, he served as a mural art consultant to artist Adèle Blais during the creation of FORTES, a mural dedicated to women who had left their mark on history. Installed in Whiting Alley in downtown Sherbrooke, the project combined monumental painting with augmented reality.

In 2026, Malenfant began preparing a book documenting the history of Sherbrooke's murals, their artistic techniques, and the historical figures they portray, with the aim of preserving their legacy for future generations. In addition, he was working on an indoor mural honouring the speed skaters of Eugène-Lalonde Arena.

His death prompted numerous tributes from cultural organizations, municipal officials, and heritage groups, all of whom highlighted his role in preserving Sherbrooke's history through public art. Among those who publicly honoured him were Jean Perrault, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Paul Gingues, Sylvie L. Bergeron, and his brother Bernard Malenfant.