An art school named after its founder
Rue Guérin, the’Académie Comairas continues a tradition in Bellifontaine that dates back to the 19th century. It is named after Philippe Comairas (1803–1875), a pupil of Ingres and a painter associated with the Barbizon School, who lived and died in Fontainebleau, where he founded the town’s art school. Today, it is the municipal school of drawing, painting and sculpture.
Learning, working, researching
The school aims, above all, to a place for study, work, research and discussion. People come here to learn or to develop their professional skills: drawing, oil painting, printmaking, sculpture and life drawing. One class is open to children aged 8 to 12, and teenagers aged 13 and over can take part in life-drawing sessions with their parents’ consent. The detail that makes all the difference: A full-year enrolment gives you access to all the courses, enough to move from sculpture to engraving in the same week.
Espace Comairas, a gallery for professional artists
The venue is also home to the’Comairas Centre, opened in 2008: approximately 55 m² of exhibition space devoted to painting, printmaking and sculpture. The artists, all of whom are professionals, are selected by an independent panel following an annual call for entries, with the aim of showcasing new talent and promoting the visual arts in Seine-et-Marne. Exhibitions are held there from autumn through to early summer.
Why push the door open?
To get a close-up look at the work of professional artists in an intimate setting, far from the intimidating atmosphere of large galleries. And for the pupils, it also serves as a showcase: this autumn, to mark’Pink October, where they exhibit and sell their works in aid of the Cancer League.
