OLD MASTERS MEET NEW TALENT AT BATTAT CONTEMPORARY

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Take a break.  Take a little trip away from the downtown hustle, and visit some art on the outskirts of picturesque Little Italy.  Discover the Battat Contemporary, a jewel of a gallery – a secret among local art aficionados.  The space (2,000 square feet) is the brainchild of a toy magnate Joseph Battat whose love of art and his own collection were pivotal to this hot, go-to place, opened in 2008. The eclectic exhibitions range from Old Master drawings to cutting-edge contemporary work. The privately run gallery hosts vernissages that are among the hottest tickets in town.  Black-clad collectors, fashionistas and art lovers crowd into the gallery on opening nights. Parking is easy in this area – a shady side street off Jean Talon. This summer’s got-to-see-show is from Battat’s private collection.

The exhibit matches contemporary artists such as Valerie Blass (part of the famed Triennale exhibit at the Musée d’art contemporain and just acquired for the permanent collection at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts) with Old Master drawings, such as Courbet, Bernini and Tiepolo. One can reflect on historical styles documenting their era, while contemplating the vision of today’s artists who echo, in their own way in the 21^st century.

Battat Contemporary.  7245 Alexandre (take a taxi – this is worth the trip) 514-750-9566

Tuesday – Friday Noon – 6   Saturday 12 – 5

www.battatcontemporary.com

HUNGRY ?  You are 5 minutes from the world-renowned Jean Talon Market. Try the freshest produce (free samples!) from farmers’ fields. Pick up your picnic piece by piece.  The best salamis, just-baked bread, mouth-watering tomatoes and divine desserts.  Sit. Rest.  Enjoy.

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