This week, the three Montrealers perhaps least likely to be found in the suburbs — me, Chris Hand of Zeke’s Gallery and artist Edith Dora Rey — went on a road trip to the south shore. To see art. (I had to drive because Edith doesn’t “do” highways and Chris doesn’t drive at all. Me, my idea of going by car is hailing a cab, so we had all the makings of an indie comedy.)

I hadn’t understood until now that the Quebec government likes to fund art institutions outside of major urban centers. Apparently the province is peppered with excellent small galleries next to shopping malls or CGEPs. Since the south shore is about as close as you can get to Montreal art lovers without actually being in town, it’s especially art rich.

I loved the St. Lambert Museum’s exhibition of star quilts, an interlude in a day of contemporary art galleries. If you have wheels, it’s just across the Victoria Bridge. (Museum of Costume and Textile of Quebec, 349 Riverside Drive in St. Lambert, is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $4 adults; $3 students and seniors; $2 children age 6 to 12 years. 450-923-6601 or www.mctq.org.)