25 years of the Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste

1997 - 2022 : A Gallery's adventure in the Puisaye

September 11 to November 6, 2022

Erna Aaltonen for the 25th anniversary of the Galerie de l'Ancienne Poste at the Maison du Chanoine in Treigny. Photo Anthony Girardi

The Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste is currently one of the most prestigious galleries of contemporary ceramics in France, and continues to be an undeniable reference in the world of ceramics. This year 2022 marks the celebration of its 25th anniversary with an unprecedented autumn collective exhibition. This exceptional event is taking place within the Maison du Chanoine, an essential witness to ceramics in the Puisaye.

Introducing contemporary ceramics to an area where no permanent venue exhibiting ceramic artists existed before, giving visitors the opportunity to discover international artists and becoming a key location for the promotion of ceramic arts were among the challenges brilliantly achieved by the Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste. This success is the result of the long, arduous work of the venue’s hosts. The gallery has never followed trends or fashions and has confidently kept to its guiding principle. Continuously high standards and the firm stance founder Isabelle Brunelin stands by have led to reaching a specificity and a unique identity: the Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste is the only French contemporary ceramics gallery to hold solo shows for renowned European ceramic artists with exclusive national rights.
Stéphanie Gachon
Art Historian
Maison du Chanoine

Exhibition catalogue
Revue de la céramique et du verre
Connaissance des Arts

[...] Since its foundation in 1997, the Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste has thus attempted to provide as international an overview as possible of the current proposals, from Finnish artist Erna Aaltonen to French artist Camille Virot. Defying styles, schools and eras, it has always avoided current trends and, among the many associative galleries, has asserted itself through the diversity of its exhibits and a didactic approach of the medium [....]
[...]Reflected in the regular and sustained pace of the Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste’s exhibitions for 25 years, Isabelle Brunelin’s choice has gone from classic, preferably French creators, to international artists whose work closely resembles sculpture. “This evolution, Isabelle Brunelin explains, follows the progression of contemporary ceramics, which is more recognized today. When I announced in 1997 the creation of a rural gallery dedicated to ceramics, I was met with odd looks and no one believed in it. Today, there is a definite interest and even enthusiasm for coming to Toucy to discover this world.” Thank you, Isabelle, for convincing us of the innumerable forms of stoneware or porcelain, the infinite play of glossy and matt surfaces and the seducing effects of enamels and glazes. This quarter century went by in a flash. May you keep showing this living creation and its beauties for us to behold for many years to come.
Guy Boyer
Chief editor of " Connaissance des Arts "