photo mick
Whether you have lived in this region since birth, or have only been resident for a few years, the chances are that at some point in your life you will want to capture a memory of some special corner of Switzerland. For many people, this will be in the form of a painting – but it is often hard to know where best to look, with so many artists available and so much on offer.
Artiswiss is a new type of art gallery, specializing in paintings of the Lac Léman region, from Geneva to Lavaux, and other neighboring areas (Valais, Grisons). Set up a year ago by local artist, Rita Mancesti, Artiswiss is located in Coppet, Vaud, under the ancient arcade at 28b Grand Rue. If you step into the gallery any day between 9h30 and 13h on a Tuesday to Saturday, don’t miss the chance to meet Rita in person, who will be delighted to explain her oil paintings to you – in French, English, German or Italian. Unlike many artists who like to work alone, Rita actually creates her paintings at the gallery, so you can watch her whilst she works in her own studio/atelier. Indeed you don't even need to step into the gallery - you can see her work unfold before your very eyes through the gallery window!
Each month at the gallery, Rita puts on a different wall display of realistic and natural paintings, featuring scenes of Mont-Blanc, Lac Léman, the désalpes (cows coming downhill at the end of summer), countryside views and Vaud villages. Look out for Rita’s tailor-made projects called Mosaïques or city slices. These are free compositions where she represents a place with all its ins-and-outs, and which often include her clients’ own special stories.
Explaining her work to knowitall.ch, Rita told us, “Born in Geneva, I have been passionate since childhood about the subtleties of color. With 25 years experience, more than 30 exhibitions and at least 450 works to my name, I have been constantly perfecting my technique and figurative style, painting mostly houses and landscapes of the region, which are now displayed in private collections throughout Switzerland, Europe and the US. Although my painting has evolved over the years, the luminosity of colors and intensity of contrasts are the two main constants in my style. Each painting has a unique starting point, in the impressionist tradition, which I then prefer to render in a modern way.”
Asked what kind of people like to buy her paintings, Rita told us that anybody who enjoys the Swiss countryside, be they locals or expats, farmers or businessmen, will appreciate her work. With a growing interest from local companies, Rita has just set up a Company Gift List service, ideal for companies wishing to offer a special gift to their employees or customers.
Depending on the budget and time available, companies can choose from an original oil painting with a certificate of authenticity (with prices ranging from Fr. 450.- up to Fr. 4,500.-), a reproduction of an original painting on canvas (Fr. 200.- to Fr. 400.-) signed by the artist (2 weeks needed), or a special order, commissioned by the client (4 weeks needed).
Individuals are also invited to commission their own paintings by Rita. Although clients should agree on the size and budget beforehand, there is absolutely no obligation to purchase afterwards. So if they like the painting, they take it home with them, otherwise it stays in the gallery and will be proposed to other clients.
Although the Artiswiss gallery has only been open in its current form for about a year, Rita has been offering arteamstic™ team-building workshops in the region for many years. During the workshops, each team member contributes to the creation of a common artwork. Throughout the animation, the group has to make several decisions, which will have a direct impact on the final artwork. Guided by Rita, the group studies the technical aspects of painting such as color harmony, contrasts, and composition, etc, although no prior technical knowledge is required. The final painting remains property of the team, so when it is taken away and displayed back in the workplace, it acts as a visual and colorful reminder of a privileged moment spent together.
Held in English or French (with German and Italian spoken for those who need it) at a location of the client's choice, Rita’s arteamstic™ workshops will cater from 5 to 30 people, with timing and techniques dependent very much on the needs of those attending. All painting and drawing material is provided as well as the necessary protection for clothes, floors and tables.
One client told us, “Rita is a very talented artist and we are fortunate to own one of her wonderful paintings. I was able, on one occasion to visit one of her art courses, which was enjoyed by all the participants. If you have some time to visit her gallery in Coppet, you would enjoy it! Rita is a very welcoming person.”
To get a better idea of the kind of paintings that Rita likes to create before visiting her gallery, visit the Artiswiss website at www.artiswiss.ch as well as her personal website at www.mancesti.ch. When we visited the Artiswiss website in January, the monthly highlights section included a selection of works depicting scenes in Geneva, Vaud and Terre-Sainte, Lavaux, Grisons, Zürich, and Valais, including work from another famous local artist, Daniel Flück, who is also inspired by the Léman area.
If you would like to be informed of future open days and external exhibitions by Rita, you are invited to submit your details via the Artiswiss website. Of course, we will try to keep you updated on any special events via the knowitall.ch website as well!
Artiswiss
28b Grand Rue
Coppet
Vaud
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
079 216 55 99
www.artiswiss.ch
www.mancesti.ch
EDITOR UPDATE 30 August 2017
Rita will be exhibiting 30 years of her paintings at a special exhibition in Nyon from 7 September to 6 October 2017. Click here for more details.
