Tucked away in Nyon’s side streets and buildings are many artist studios, workshops, and galleries that aren’t always open to members of the public. Some are hidden away in old medieval buildings!
However, on Saturday the 10th November, these places will be open to visitors for Nyon’s very first, Journée des Arts – Arts Day.
The L’Association DAP (Developpement des Arts Plastiques) was formed in 2017, to organise such an event. Damien Gallay who is a member of the association (and a graphic designer with a long established business of his own), explained to Living in Nyon – “Art Days already happen in some shape or form in Morges, Lausanne, Geneva and Rolle but it’s never happened here in Nyon so we decided to remedy that!”
Making Art Accessible
We wanted to make art more accessible, to let people wander into galleries and to workshops, to look at art, to enable them to chat with the artists behind the work on display.
A Walkable Route around town
We have created a map (see below) and have marked with numbers where these workshops and galleries can be found. A lot of these are in the old town and some are in the centre Esp’Asse in the Route de L’Etraz. Not everyone is aware this great space exists, but there are several artists that work in there such as Bernard Garo (see our 2010 Living in Nyon interview with him here), artist Pierre Schwerzmann, filmmaker Marc Décosterd who, along with Garo has created an art film that will be projected across the wall of Nyon’s château between 18:00 -20:00 on Saturday.
Guided Visit in English
There will also be a guided visit in English at 14:00 at the La Mobilière building in Nyon on a visit entitled “Art and the Future”.
Winner of Competition – Sarah Bovet
A competition for local artists was also launched to coincide with this special Arts Day which has been won by graphic designer Sarah Bovet. She will be present from 14:00 at a vernissage of her work which will be displayed at the Gallerie L’Esquisse (the corner gallery on the Rue de Rive – near the Maitre Jacques statue).
Free Entry
This special Arts Day runs from 10:00 -20:00 however, check the programme as some participating venues such as the Château de Nyon, the Musée du Léman and the Musée du Romain will close a little earlier at 17:00. Entry to these places is free on that day.
Discover more
One of the hidden workshops in Nyon in an old medieval building (not far from arches near the Porte Saint Marie), is that of Cristina Stein. Cristina is an artist who also gives art lessons (see photos of her workshop below).
For more details – telephone 079 208 8784 or email cristinasteinatelier@gmail.com (website coming soon).
This Arts Day should be fun, a chance to see art and places in buildings you don’t always have access to, there’s a workshop behind the Police Station and one situated in an old Chapel!”
