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Winnipeg, meet Paris. Or should we say Paris, here’s My Winnipeg.

Manitoba’s capital will be the first featured city in a new series of exhibitions launching this summer from Paris, France-based contemporary art foundation la maison rouge. Taking its name from acclaimed local filmmaker Guy Maddin’s 2007 personal documentary, and featuring over 70 artists from or connected to the city, My Winnipeg runs June 23 to September 25.

The theme of the la maison rouge series is lesser-known yet thriving centres of artistic activity, and representative works by local artists in various media.

Co-produced with Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art in Winnipeg, and the Musee International des Arts Modestes in Sete, France, the traveling exhibition will be situated in the latter from November 5 to May 20, 2012.

"Artists are inspired by the cities in which they live and, in return, the work they produce helps define the region’s identity," reads la maison rouge’s website. "This identity is then carried in films, music, literature, performance art and exhibitions, conveying these artists’ vision around the globe."

In total, over 30 local artists will appear in person. This week, there will be several days of opening festivities, featuring a "collage party" with Paul Butler; a performance by Joanne Bristol; and a live visual-musical collaboration between Toronto’s Shary Boyle and Winnipeg singer/songwriter Christine Fellows.

There will also be a screening of Winnipeg Film Group member shorts from the past three decades, featuring the work of Maddin, John Paizs, Jeff Erbach, Noam Gonick, Deco Dawson, Matthew Rankin and Danishka Esterhazy.

"Winnipeg is a prime example of how geographical location can shape artistic production," the website continues, adding that long, harsh winters are conducive to artists heading indoors to pursue their creative work.