Maison Depoivre

Gallery returns for a show at Loch Sloy

After having had to give up their gallery space at Loch Sloy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vincent Depoivre and Christophe Doussot have returned with a show that includes four local artists with whom they have had a relationship since they began curating shows in the County a number of years ago when they operated a bed and breakfast near Bloomfield. Depoivre and Doussot recently held a fundraiser at Blizzmax Gallery and they realized how much they missed curating art shows. “We loved what we were doing, and we decided to reopen this little exhibition to tell our followers we are still alive and we are planning to be back next year in a bigger space,” said Depoivre. The current show comprises of two exhibits. The first, Positive Masculinity, is a subset of a show they had when they operated the gallery fulltime at Loch Sloy. The second exhibit is titled Respire, and is the French word for breathing, which Depoivre says is an allusion to the fact that while the pandemic is not yet over, there is an indication that it will be, and so people can figuratively start breathing again. This exhibit features the work of four County artists: Gerry Jenkison, Dianne Kehoe, Barb Hogenauer and Peter Mennacher.

(L-R): Christophe Doussot and Vincent Depoivre at their new exhibit at Loch Sloy.

Doussot says the including the work of local artists is central to the vision the he and Depoivre have. “We truly believe it’s important for artists and viewers to discover a mix of art from both the County and also from farther away places. We feel that is part of the dynamic. Art is about communication. We find that by presenting local artists with artists from Europe or the States that it creates and energy and a conversation,” he said. He added that it was personally important to exhibit the work of Peter Mennacher, who died recently, because he was a very good friend and shared the same vision of presenting art. For Depoivre, the joy of presenting an art show comes as much from the art as from the people who come to see it. “I love looking at people looking at art. It is very interesting to see how a piece of art can talk differently to different people. To me, I think it’s magic. And with Christophe, we love showing these pieces in a different way, not necessarily for example on a white wall only, but in different situations,” he said.

Both Doussot and Depoivre say that viewing art can be a big benefit for mental health. “We found that the pandemic was difficult for us, for our mental health, and the same for so many people we know. But as Vincent said, art is like magic, and it takes you to a different place, it opens your mind, and we find that more than ever, art is essential,” said Doussot. “We also feel that it has been difficult for artists because they have been creating, but have limited ways to present their work during the pandemic. So finally now that things are opening up a bit, I think it is very important to give the opportunity to artists to present their work and what they’ve been doing these past 18 months.”

Maison Depoivre is located at 343 County Road 22. The current exhibit closes on October 24.