Art and Craft in the Vendée

ANGELA BIRD'S

Art and craft in the Vendée

There are many talented and creative people living and working
in the Vendée whose work is often on show in
their own studios or at local exhibitions, shops and craft markets.
Below is a selection of those I have come across – mostly
during the four years that I spent as Vendée correspondent for
the glossy French magazine Côté Ouest.

	ART
	Edwin Apps Resident in the Marais Poitevin for nearly 40 years, Edwin Apps creates series of witty paintings on such themes as Bishops, Bars, Umbrellas (see left), Bald men, Pilgrims and – most recently – Silent Majority. Visit his website at http://www.marcireau.fr/apps/ and look out for news of his latest exhibitions.
	Régis Delène Bartholdi At his elegant studio in a courtyard off the main square of the pretty village of Beaulieu-sous-La-Roche, Régis Delène Bartholdi displays his romantic paintings on desert themes. To see more of them, visit http://courdesarts.free.fr/art.html or drop into the studio…
	Maurice Savy In his garden studio, Maurice Savy paints seaside and marshland views of the area around Port-Bourgenay and extends a friendly welcome to visitors throughout the summer. (In their garden, he and his wife have even provided a play space for children, and a few friendly animals to visit.) See Maurice Savy’s work on his website http://home.tele2.fr/savy/index.htm 144, rue du Bouc-Etou, Bourgenay, near Talmont-Saint-Hilaire (tel: 02 51 22 21 04).
	Raphael Toussaint The Vendée’s most famous living artist, Raphael Toussaint has a characteristically “naive” style. His charming paintings feature many Vendée villages (such as St-Etienne-du-Bois, left). Many of his works are exhibited on-line at http://www.artactif.com/toussaint/expo.htm

	CRAFTS
	Danielle Aubin The narrow streets of the Ile Pénotte district of Les Sables have been enlivened by an ever-increasing number of lively shell frescoes by talented local resident Danielle Aubin. You can see a few of them on http://clubpfa.free.fr/Ile_Penotte.htm Only a few metres from the seafront promenade; take Rue Travot, and turn right into Rue d’Assas.
	Daniel Breillat Near the Abbaye Royale in the centre of a historic village near Fontenay-le-Comte, Daniel Breillat exhibits wonderful traditional baskets in all shapes and sizes. This view of his workshop is from the website http://nzoudou.chez.tiscali.fr/Enchanteurs/breillat.htm 7, rue Aliénor d'Aquitaine, Nieul sur l'Autise (tel: 02 51 52 49 56).
SORRY, NO PICTURE AVAILABLE YET	Christian Bourcereau Follow signposts through the lanes to a “poterie” in the heart of the countryside, just inland from Brem-sur-Mer. Christian Bourcereau makes exceptional pieces of studio pottery, decorated with glowing raku glazes. 11, chemin de la Corde, La Corde, near Brem-sur-Mer (tel: 02 51 90 50 77).
SORRY, NO PICTURE AVAILABLE YET	Marie-Christine Grangiens In a hamlet between Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche and Aizenay is the studio of Marie-Christine Grangiens, who turns out colourful vases, bowls and dishes. La Cantardière, Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche (tel: 02 51 98 88 22).
	Val Holmes In the little town of Luçon, Val Holmes (author of The Encylopaedia of Machine Embroidery) draws inspiration from nature to create the most fabulous images using sewing-machine and thread. She also runs courses to help others do the same. Details on her website http://www.embroidery-in-france.com/
	Nick and Sue Pearson Shells and driftwood from local beaches – often enhanced by Sue’s embroidery or Nick’s watercolours - form the basis of charming creations by the Pearsons. They sell their hand-made decorative items at many summer crafts fairs (in Angles and around), and at some of the Vendée’s Christmas markets. Lots of examples of their work on Nick and Sue’s website : http://www.tresorsdelamer.com

	Coralie Sellier Not only a calligrapher, Coralie Sellier adds so much in the way of glittering scraps of fabric and gold wire to her lettered creations that they are almost like illuminations on ancient manuscripts.

	CRAFT AND INTERIOR DECORATION SHOPS IN AND AROUND THE VENDÉE

ANGLES	L’Aluette Craft shop, selling knitwear, woven garments, leatherwork, pottery, toys. Open June-Sept. Rue des Forges, Angles (near La Tranche-sur-Mer).
CHALLANS	Annie Piraud Sophisticated furniture, gifts and accessories for chic homes. 28 Rue Bonne-Fontaine, off Place de Gaulle.
CHALLANS	Patine et Pomme de Pin Enticing small boutique with well chosen decorative items for the home, and also a few paintings. 34 Rue Bonne-Fontaine, off Place de Gaulle (tel: 02 28 10 77 73) 2005/2006 : Sadly, this shop has been “temporarily” closed for several months.
FONTENAY-LE-COMTE	Carré Dauphin Interesting shop full of decorative items for the home that include lamps, rugs and even elegant German heating stoves. 6, place Dauphin (tel :02 51 69 31 86).
NIORT	Maison Pourpre Pretty shop on Niort’s art-and-craft-oriented street, with furniture, lamps, albums, textiles. 48, rue St-Jean (tel: 05 49 76 32 28).
NIORT	La Malle aux Idées Unusual shop at the top of Rue St-Jean, with a mixture of antique and reproduction tableware, seating, fabrics, lampshades and furnishing fabrics. 3, rue Notre-Dame (tel: 05 49 79 41 10).
NOIRMOUTIER-EN-L’ILE	Several antique and décor shops – many with a nautical flavour - on and near the quayside in the centre of Noirmoutier island’s main town.
LA ROCHE-SUR-YON	A l’Image des Mots Craft and calligraphy in a boutique in the centre of La Roche, 5 Rue du Passage (tel: 02 51 28 21 71).
LA ROCHE-SUR-YON	Halles Artisanat Large modern shop, open all year, presenting crafts for all tastes by 22 of the Vendée’s craftspeople. Carreau des Halles (near main market hall, off Place Napoléon) tel 02 51 62 51 33
LES SABLES-D’OLONNE	La Bibelotière Colour-themed shop, in busy street near the Hotel de Ville, crammed with glassware, tableware, cloths, lamps, candleholders and other decorative items. 28, rue Travot (tel: 02 51 95 11 76).
LES SABLES-D’OLONNE	Maison de Vacances/L'Orangerie Prime seafront position near the tourist office for this smart boutique and gift shop, with bowls, glasses, throws, and even sofas, garden furniture and paintings. 26, promenade Amiral-Lafargue (tel: 02 51 95 42 41)

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CRAFTS

Danielle Aubin

Nick and Sue Pearson

L’Aluette Craft shop, selling knitwear, woven garments, leatherwork, pottery, toys. Open June-Sept. Rue des Forges, Angles (near La Tranche-sur-Mer).