Montreal Tastemakers: Q&A with author Arizona O'Neill

The Main

The Main

November 24, 2022- Read time: 3 min
Montreal Tastemakers: Q&A with author Arizona O'Neill

We caught up with Arizona about her latest book release. Here's what she had to say about the process.

The Main (TM): Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us! With the upcoming Salon du livre event, we wanted to highlight some of the local authors in attendance, and we’re so excited to share your newest work with our readers.

First things first, what inspired you to write this book?

Arizona O’Neill (AO): I grew up around artists my whole life. My mother is an author so I was always around the Montreal art scene. I wanted to make a book that highlighted the amazing and curious artists in Quebec, anglophone and francophone alike. One thing I had always observed was how artists are mostly incredibly anxious and insecure about their work, even when they are successful. So, interviewing artists about whether or not happiness exists and is an obtainable goal seemed like the clear path to take.

Member-only story

Unlock Montreal’s stories. Join The Main community.

Read this story free.

Enter your email to unlock your first article and get The Bulletin — our weekly roundup of food, art, and local culture.

  • 5 free articles per month
  • Save your favourite places & guides
  • Weekly newsletter The Bulletin
  • Stay connected to Montreal culture

Become an Insider.

Join a community that supports independent Montreal stories and celebrates the people shaping its culture.

Subscribe
  • Unlimited access to all stories
  • Exclusive features & local insights
  • Special offers and event invites
  • 10% off in our shop
  • Support local storytelling

Already a member? Sign in

Related articles

M for Montreal is where the whole world heard it first
Kaitlyn DiBartolo

M for Montreal is where the whole world heard it first

The festival has been turning Montreal's restless creative energy into international careers for 20 years, and it's nowhere near slowing down.

Edward Hillel's new book offers a rare then-and-now look at an iconic Montreal street
J.P. Karwacki

Edward Hillel's new book offers a rare then-and-now look at an iconic Montreal street

Nearly 40 years after his landmark book helped designate The Main as a heritage site, Edward Hillel returns with a layered portrait of memory, time, and urban change.

Things to do in Montreal this December
The Main

Things to do in Montreal this December

The best things to do in Montreal during December fill the calendar with ballet, punk rock, immersive art, and more than enough holiday spirit.

Éditions La Peuplade is publishing some of the world's most exciting French-language literature
Alexander Hackett

Éditions La Peuplade is publishing some of the world's most exciting French-language literature

For 20 years, the Montreal-based indie publisher has connected Quebec writers with international audiences and brought global voices to local readers.

Serving legends and locals, Chez Ménick is our unofficial sports hall of fame
Jeremy Cox

Serving legends and locals, Chez Ménick is our unofficial sports hall of fame

For 66 years, Dominique Perrazino's Plateau barbershop has been where hockey legends, Expos players, and neighbourhood regulars all gather to talk, connect, and get a trim.

The unlikely third spaces emerging from Montreal’s bouldering culture
AnnaClare Sung

The unlikely third spaces emerging from Montreal’s bouldering culture

How climbing gyms like Café Bloc have become neighborhood hangouts—complete with coffee, bars, and saunas—that offer a compelling alternative to traditional gym culture.