Description
Tracing the Origins of Le Printemps des Artistes
"How can we showcase the painters and artisans of Istanbul Accueil (IA)? " asks Consuelo Lemire, an active member of the association back in 2004.
...By creating an exhibition!
And so the first exhibition "Creations and Creators", the ancestor to Le Printemps des Artistes, was organized in collaboration with Sabine Buchmann painter, gallery owner and multimedia librarian at Sainte Pulchérie Lisesi. The event took place over a week in the gallery of the Sainte Pulchérie theatre.
In 2006, Chris Baudry, member of Istanbul Accueil, aiming to present a more ambitious program to the French-speaking community, drew inspiration from the 2005 “Istanbouge” exhibition organized at the Lycée Saint Benoît. Fostering a meeting between expatriate French artists and local artists (painters and sculptors), this project was to be named “Le Printemps des Artistes” (or Le PDA)!
In partnership with Sainte Pulchérie Lisesi in Beyoglu, she enlisted Mme Sabine Buchmann to help organise the event, Madame Baudry managing the logistical part while Madame Buchmann made the selection of artists.
And so the story of the PDA begins… a socially sustainable Art event now running in its 14th year!
Fast-forward to the present, each year the exhibition is organised around a theme, a source of inspiration for the participating artists year on year. The themes are varied (the sea, women, diversity ...) all the while preserving a link to this beloved city.
Initially held in parallel with the weeklong festival of “Francophonie”, the PDA took inspiration from the colour codes and posters of the Francophonie campaign.
Since then the PDA has carved out its own unique identity, annually taking place during the months of Spring - April / May.
