Fall for French Art in Milford

An free exhibit show entitled “Fall for French Art in Milford” is scheduled for 6-9 pm Saturday Sept. 17 in Milford, sponsored by the Westport River Gallery and the Villa Gourmet. The show, at the Villa Gourmet, 11 River St. in downtown Milford, will include Fine French art from the gallery, French cheeses and French wines.

Mike Sorrentino will entertain with soft jazz and there will be door prizes, including a signed/numbered serigraph of the Greek Islands by internationally-known French artist Kerfily, valued at $450. Other prizes will include Villa Gourmet gift certificates for future purchases of wonderful cheeses.

“This is an exciting event to offer original oil paintings from accomplished French artists right here in Milford. Through our partnership with the Westport River Gallery, this brings a new opportunity for fine art to the area,” said Linda McIntyre, owner of the Villa Gourmet.

 The exhibit and show includes art by internationally-rated French artists including Jean-Pierre Dubord, Dominique Dorie, Elisabeth Estivalet, Henri Lapetit, Corinne Vilcaz, Jacqueline Duvoisin, Kerfily and others. Subjects range from the poppies, lavender fields and landscapes of Provence, to old European streets and the Greek islands. There will also be several hand crafted glass bowls by Mundy Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn’s nephew. Living artists Dorie and Dubord are among the most highly decorated and internationally collected artists worldwide, both Benezit artists.

 “We have partnered with Villa Gourmet because of the strength of their services, the wealth of their diverse offerings, and the otherwise limited availability of international oil paintings in New Haven County,” said Ken Warren, gallery owner.

 Dominique Dorie was born in Versailles in 1958. At 16 he began working in the Louvre as a restorer of sculptures. He enjoyed studying the masterpieces hanging on the walls of the great museum and felt impelled to sketch them. He had several small " exhibitions " by hanging his work in the evenings on the fences of the church of St. Germain des Pres. 1977 marked a turning point. At 24, he decided he needed surroundings with greater calm and quiet, so he moved to a small village on the edge of the sea in Normandy. In 1985 Dorie exhibited his work in the Salon de Criel and in the Salon d'Orly. He was awarded the Prix du Salon in the latter exhibition. He is collected worldwide and has won many awards.

 J.P. Dubord was born in Rouen in 1949. After spending years in the French countryside, he returned to his native city to portray the surroundings of his youth. While Rouen is a favorite subject for his paintings, he often depicts Paris, the Normandy countryside, the beaches of Deauville and Houlgate, the cliffs of Caux and Etreat and the scenes along the Seine. He is known for his ability to capture the subtleties of light and color unique to each season. In 1970, he had his first exhibition of approximately 30 paintings in Rouen, a show that was highly praised by art critics. In addition to an annual show in Rouen, he is exhibited in major Salons of Paris.

 Westport River Gallery, in Westport CT, offers European, American and Asian fine art, working with all levels of art collectors, corporate clients & decorators. Artists are selected based on their reputation, level of credentials, style & distinctions. Styles include impressionistic, realistic, abstract and modern. Artists are from France, United States, England, Belgium, Australia, Germany, Poland, China, Tibet and Quebec. Join us for this evening of fine wines, fine cheeses and fine art.