Marcus McAllister – Sunday Tea and Hip Artwork in Belleville

May 13, 2010  by Erica Berman

All photos Erica Berman  (Marcus’s flat, his courtyard and his stairwell)

On a recent Paris Sunday, Heather Stimmler Hall of Secrets in Paris invited me to meet her for an afternoon tea at artist Marcus McAllister’s painting studio, in the semi-underground and very interesting neighborhood of Goncourt. Meeting new people is always cool — but if artwork is involved, it’s even cooler. Goncourt is a hip, little, off-the-beaten-track quartier of the 10th, not far from the trendy Canal St martin, the up-and-coming St Marthe area and the Asian restaurants, outdoor markets and exotic supermarkets of Belleville.

I was met at the door by a smiling, American Marcus covered in paint with his cute doggy Grover at his heels. Marcus, an American from Arkansas, has been in Paris for 14 years and living in this sunny 1^st floor studio for 11 of those. Marcus has been hosting Sunday afternoon tea and talks for 8 years now. Having crowds of strangers chez lui has become second nature and a tradition he enjoys immensely. Continue Reading »

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Portes Ouvertes Montmartre: Ateliers From Anvers to Abbesses Open Their Doors

November 9, 2009  by Tory Hoen

Monmartre’s legacy as Paris’ artistic epicenter continues this weekend, when the annual “Portes Ouvertes Montmartre” returns. For three days only, the artists of Montmartre will open the doors of their ateliers (artist space) to the public. On November 13th (from 6pm-9pm) and November 14th and 15th (from 11am-8pm), don’t miss your chance to stroll the neighborhood, following your artistic whims and letting your curiosity guide you. Continue Reading »

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