In the Burgundy region, welcome to the graphic art center of the Métairie Bruyère, located in the town of Parly, in Puisaye, 20 km from Auxerre.
Courses and workshops at the Métairie Bruyère graphic arts center
Mecca of art printing, combining both modernity and tradition, the center brings together, on 8 farmhouses typical of Puisaye, workshops dedicated to the creation of original prints and artists' books. La Métairie Bruyère, labeled “Living Heritage Company”, welcomes artists and poets from all over the world to create works of art. Every year, the center opens its doors to the public for guided tours, exhibitions, and courses for all ages.
Discovering the Métairie Bruyère graphic art center
The uniqueness of this art center is that it brings together different artistic printing techniques in the same place: manual typography, intaglio, lithography and digigraphy. Therefore, it is a unique and recognized place in France and Europe. Its collection of several tons of lead type and old presses are real museum pieces. The smell of ink and paper, like in the school of the last century, gives a special atmosphere to each workshop.
In season, the artisans of the art center open the doors to the general public to a fun and interactive guided tour of the workshops, it is a real journey to the heart of traditional printing. During the visit, you will understand the vocabulary of tools and gestures. The life of an art printing company and its history will no longer hold any secrets for you. This guided tour is punctuated, for our greatest pleasure, anecdotes from the artists who came to work in the workshops, such as Miro, Alechinsky, Speedy Graphito, Di Rosa…
Each year, art center offers a high-profile exhibitione, in the black gallery on the ground floor and in the white gallery upstairs. Concerts also punctuate the year. During your visit, enjoy the “relaxation café” area and treat yourself to a lithograph, a book, postcards, to enhance your library… These “souvenir” works are made on site and you will find them at low prices.
Artistic training for all ages
The Métairie Bruyère graphic arts center offers the possibility of internships and training for all ages:
- The engraving course for adults: Lasting 3 to 5 days, these courses cover the techniques of engraving, lithography and typography.
- The engraving course for children: Over several days, in the afternoon, the children will learn the techniques of wood engraving and the etching technique. They will naturally leave with their work.
- The engraving course for art students: From May to September, the art center welcomes 3 art students per month, on the theme of engraving and typography. In exchange for participation in the daily life of the place, this internship is free for these students and they have 1 kg of copper and scraps of paper for their personal project.
- The moved workshop: The art center travels, with all the necessary equipment, for introductions to engraving, to schools, colleges, works councils, etc.
- The workshop for schools: Through a visit to the premises, children will discover the world of printed images. They will then try out, based on their drawing, different techniques of engraving, on wood, on copper, milk carton. They will then ink their own plate to be printed on a flywheel press. The center also offers activities for visually impaired or disabled children, with monotype or embossing techniques.
- The training would partner with MaNa: In partnership with the school of architecture and design, the What, located 20 km from Métairie Bruyère, the art center offers apprenticeship training for adults around engraving.
When do the guided tours of the workshops take place?
From July to September, weekends from 15:30 p.m. (duration 2 hours) and from October to June, by appointment (minimum of 4 people) on 03 86 74 30 72.
How do I register for these courses?
Simply contact the center directly on 03 86 74 30 72 or by email at [email protected]. For training in partnership with Mana: information and reservation at the MaNa campus: 03 86 45 23 42 or [email protected]
How much are tickets?
Allow around €60/day for adults and €30 for children. For school groups, works councils, associations: by quote on 03 86 74 30 72 or by email: [email protected].
What are the accommodation options?
Contact the graphic art center directly on 03 86 74 30 72.
Immerse yourself in the cultural and artistic excitement of Puisaye
La Puisaye is full of places dedicated to arts and culture. Here are some ideas for outings not to be missed:
- Le Museum and Colette's Houseor a Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye, birthplace of the famous writer.
- La Fabuloserie, in Dicy, near Charny Orée de Puisaye : an extraordinary art museum.
- At the castle of Ratilly, in the town of Treigny: contemporary exhibition, cultural events and pottery workshop.
- Le Regional Center for Contemporary Art in Fontenoy: contemporary and permanent exhibitions.
- Le Convent of Treigny : exhibition of traditional and/or contemporary ceramics.
- The village of Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye, labeled “City and crafts”, for its Sandstone Museum and its ceramic shops.
