Artistic Invasion

La Consolation des Tempêtes amongst the flowers

It has always amazed me just how many different types of artists and craftsmen and women there are in this region. Saône-et-Loire has the highest number of registered "artisans d'arts" in the whole of France. There are over 100 just in the small area around here and there are more and more coming all the time.

Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the opening of the Comptoir des Artistes, in Cormatin as well as the the long awaited opening of a new pottery, also in Cormatin High Street. Besides those two, a portrait painter and his pottery illustrating partner have just opened their studio, right here in Chazelle.

Comptoir des Artistes, Cormatin

The Comptoir des Artistes is owned by Martine Borzycki a contemporary artist who has opened her doors to our all time favourite sculptor, Monique Dégluaire. I have one of her sculptures - La Consolation des Tempêtes - in my front garden and I just adore the way she creates such peaceful faces on all her pieces. Hopefully being just opposite the Chateau, she will get even more exposure for her fantastic work. The shop is well stocked with a good selection of both Monique and Martine's works but to see Monique's larger works, you still need to visit her home in Bessuge, Chapaize where she has started doing modelling courses for those budding sculptors out there.

New pottery, Cormatin

The pottery in the high street is a very nice addition to our community. We have watched as the window to his studio gradually filled up with interesting things. Tall sculpted vases and dangling bird houses have been appearing, temptingly over the winter months and finally in the last week or so, he opened the doors of his shop next door. It is well worth having a good snuffle through the things on display in his shop.

Famous local artist

We missed the opening of the studio in Chazelle because we went to a concert in Cluny, so sorry Patrick the superb quartet of brass from Paris who opened the Grandes Heures de Cluny festival in the quadrangle of the abbey, won out on that occasion. His studio is open most weekends or by appointment.

But the one artistic event we did not miss, was the exhibition held in la Salle Claude Beun where only the very best artists in town were allowed to show their works.



For holiday accommodation in the middle of an artistic artisan paradise click here.