Live art gallery exhibits in New York

The departure is only planned in a few weeks, while the whole thing will happen from 25 to 29 September, but already, on Thursday, the atmosphere was festive in Arvida.

This is because L’art de vivre is the first gallery in the region, according to its owner, to participate in the Affordable Art Fair. And that the event aims to be a special exhibition, bringing together artists from the four corners of the world and attracting around 10,000 visitors every year.

“In total, it brings together 77 galleries, from everywhere,” explained Frédérique Girard. From Italy for example, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Paris, London, Australia, and many from the United States to obvious.”

It was time to celebrate on Thursday for Frédérique Girard and the other artists in her gallery. (Sophie Lavoie/Le Quotidien)

Then if this international visual art fair is held in more than one place in the world, in markets that are supposed to be special, artistically, it seemed that New York was the an ideal destination for an Arvidian gallery. Because “New York is very eclectic, that is the street artit’s colorful, it’s abstract.”

A bit like The Art of Living, in the end, which chose its delegation of artists based on this context.

Six of them will be exhibiting their work alongside that of Frédérique Girard – and a few to make the trip in person – in Manhattan. These are the painters Dominique Desmeules, Nancy Brandsma, Nathalie Pelletier, Kathleen Roby and Tanya Aubut, as well as the sculptor Frédéric Marchand.

Everyone quickly said “yes” when the owner came to them with the idea of ​​such a winter adventure.

Because Frédérique Girard started the process a long time ago. Somewhere in January or February, she says, specifying that she quickly realized that the project had to be a joint project. “I didn’t know if I wanted it to be with myself, or with the gallery, and in the end I answered myself very quickly. I, alone, was not ready. Then when I talked about it with some permanent artists, the response was unanimous.”

The work of painter Tanya Aubut, in particular, will be exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair. (Sophie Lavoie/Le Quotidien)

Long work of “synthesis” followed. To explain the methodology and history of the gallery. To artists. Their own universes.

“We had our first confirmation at Saint-Jean, showing that the art of living was chosen. It was already a great recognition, especially as a baby gallery. And in mid-July, we had confirmation that all of our artists had been accepted. There, it was crazy, we were very happy!”, encourages Frédérique Girard again.

The only sculptor in the delegation, Frédéric Marchand will also present his work in New York. (Sophie Lavoie/Le Quotidien)

“You should know that their selection is very strict, not only can anyone go,” she said, as if to show the value of that invitation.

The Affordable Art Fair in New York, where this will be the 25th edition, from September 25 to 29, also lives up to its name, explains the artist owner, as the event aims to make art more accessible. As can be seen from the prices requested for the work, which starts at $100.

Kathleen Roby will be able to share her abstract universe with the many visitors to the event. (Sophie Lavoie/Le Quotidien)

“The most expensive thing you can find is US$12,000. In this fair world, there are events where you have jobs worth $300,000, $1 million. It really hits home. I am happy that there is a cultural event, accessible to us. It allows us to go a little beyond the borders of the region, Quebec, and we will go where we have space.”

All that will be left, between now and the big departure, is to specify the selection of the jobs that will take away. Each of the seven artists brings their favorite pieces.