Arlette Steenmans : Chronological overview - Aperçu chronologique

1975 - 1976 Youth

1977 - 1980 Art High School in Antwerp (Belgium)

1978 :

1979 :

1980 : Graduated in July 1980.

1981 : Last year in Mechelen (Belgium), where unemployment and the economic crisis offered very little perspective for a young artist.  She had her first Exibition in Mechelen (Belgium). All efforts were focused in order to leave Belgium.

1982 : Moved to Puimichel (France), in the beautiful Alpes-Haute-Provence region. Here she bought the ruins of an old barn in which she tried to live in extremely uncomfortable circumstances. Living conditions did not allow much painting or art work. A long and difficult period of life started with an unreliable partner whose dream was to set up an astronomical observatory for amateur astronomers. Arlette tried to build up a kind of youth-hostel for amateur astronomers: "La Remise". This project did not leave her much oppurtunity to explore her talent as an artist.

1983 : Despite the most primitive accommodation (a ruin) some amateur astronomers made the effort to visit Puimichel. Some paintings got sold and some commissioned work (portaits) provided a little bit of income.

1984 : Amateur astronomers enjoyed the cordial atmosphere in "La Remise" and more visitors arrived in Puimichel and provided some income by paying for fulboard.

1985 : Unfortunately no photographs of any of the paintings for this period are available. In the summer Arlette took part in an Exibition in Volonne (France) organized by 'Syndicat d'Initiative', where she was awarded the Fourth price of painting. A financial grant from the state allowed to improve the housing conditions in "La Remise".

1986 : In the summer of 1986 Arlette participated again in an Exibition in Volonne (France) organized by 'Syndicat d'Initiative', here she was awarded the Second price of drawing. The residence "La Remise" became a popular holiday destination for amateur astronomers, which meant hard working for Arlette at the cost of her time for painting.

1987 : Unfortunately no photographs of any of the paintings made in this period are available. All energy and time was focused to build an observatory, a project that consumed all the income of  "La Remise". Arlette married the owner of the observatory in 1987, but seperated from him within one year and got divorced in 1991. The observatory became nothing more but an attraction for tourists and hobbyists and a disappointment for serious amateur-astronomers. However, the friendly atmosphere in "La Remise" and the excellent starry night sky of Puimichel encouraged amateur astronomers to come with their own instruments to enjoy the good aspects of "La Remise".

1988 : Conflicts and troubles with the owner of the observatory made Arlette almost to decide to quit with the guesthouse for amateur-astronomers. A new relationship marked the end of a poor period for the painting activities. Regular visits to Huddersfield, England helped Arlette to escape from the troubles in Puimichel. Staying in England provided plenty of time for painting in the years 1988 till 1991.

1989 :

1990 :

1991 : Staying again more and more in Puimichel, Arlette decided that her place to be is in Puimichel. She resumed the exploitation of "La Remise", but painting remained a regular activity encouraged by good friends.

1992 : One work took as many as 10 months to be completed: "the English Garden", painted for a very special occasion.

1993 : The residence "La Remise" got finally repaired and became a more comfortable housing. The art activities started to play a greater role despite that the exploitation of  "La Remise" was still a very time consuming bussiness.

1994 : Arlette  resumed participating in Exibitions. First in Volonne (France), Summer 1994, 'Festival d'Art et Création Artisanale de Volonne 1994' organized by 'La municipalité de Volonne'  in Chapelle Notre Dame. Here she was awarded with the first price water-colour. Followed by an an Exibition at Neufchateau (Belgium), 8 till 22 October 1994, 'Festival international d'art 1994' organized by 'Syndicat d'Initiative Pays de Neufchateau'.

1995 : She participated in an Exibition in Cannes (France) '31eme grand prix international de peinture de la Cote d'Azur' 19 till 28 February 1995 by 'Centre de Liaison des artistes peintres et amateurs d'art de France', in 'Les salons de la gare maritime'. Here Arlette was awarded with the first price pastel and third price symbolism, International award of painting, Cannes, France.   Then followed an Exibition in Brugge (Belgium) 6 tot 20 augustus 1995, 'Visual arts France-Belgium' by 'Centre de Liaison des artistes peintres de France' at 'Kunstencongrescentrum Brugge St Jan'. At This happened simultaneously with an Exibition in Peyruis (France) August 1995 by 'Festival d'art visuel de Durance' of  the city of Peyruis, in the 'Salle polyvalente Peyruis'. Here she was awarded with the first price water-colour. Another Exibition of Arlette's work took place in Paris (France) : 26 September till 8 October 1995, by 'Centre de Liaison des artistes et amateurs d'Art de France' at Mairie du 4eme arrondissement. A first possibility to quit the astronomy-related bussiness and to  focus completely on art occurred but did not yet materialise.

1996 : Arlette had an Exibition in Luzern (Switserland) from : 26 till  31 janvier 1996, by AART's Masters Paris Monaco, Grand Salon Suisse, Lucerne, in Hotel National Lucerne Suisse. She also had an Exibition in Lurs (France):  1 till 13 June 1996, salle d'exposition de Lurs. She was awarded the First price of the public Peyruis, France.

1997 : She had an Exibition in Montecarlo (Monaco) : May - September 1997,  in gallery 'Les amis de l'art'. An other Exibition took place in Peyruis (France), 7 till 21 June 1997, '10eme salon du val de durance' by 'District de Moyenne Durance', salle polyvalente exposition des invités d'honneurs et de lauréats de différents prix.

1998 : This year marked the definite end of the astronomy project after many years of successive conflicts and problems with the local observatory owner. Plenty of time was available for painting and a new start became obvious.

1999 : Formal creation of Artventure, non-profit society for art friends, "La Remise" became an art centre with permanent Exibitions where watercolor painting courses are being organized. A most successful personnal Exibition in Ostend (Belgium), on the Culture Ship Imke C, from 14 till 22 August 1999 confirmed that Arlette should further explore her painting talent as artist.

2000 : A thematic Exibition about the village of  Puimichel (France) took place from February untill May 2000 in Puimichel. In August - September 2000 an show was dedicated to the work of Arlette Steenmans in the Art Gallery "Hof van Beieren" in Mechelen, Belgium. This Exibition enjoyed many visitors as many historical activities in Mechelen attracked many tourists to the city.

2001 : A new thematic Exibition about "Birds" was organized in  Puimichel (France). In December Arlette showed her latest paintings at "Expovet", Flanders Expo, Gent, Belgium. No Exibition was organized at classic galleries so that most time could be reserved for painting. A conflict in Puimichel since May 2001 caused serious difficulties for Artventure. The frequency to photograph new paintings was strongly reduced and new initiatives for exhibitions were cancelled.

2002 : Another Exibition was organized in Belgium: this time at Wentelsteen in March 2002. In November 2002 Arlette was invited as featured artist at National Aviary, Pittsburg, USA. No new events were planned due to the conflict since 2001.

2003 : An Exhibition planned since end 2000 took place in Belgium: this time at Gallery Rivierenhof - Antwerpen in February 2003. An article appeared in the art journal "International artist". New paintings failed to get photographed due to a persisting conflict situation. Instead of further international exhibitions, the artist had to limit herself to small local events.

2004 : Due to long delays in photographing, several paintings were sold long before photography was possible. Several paintings couldn't be documented on this website, hence the overview becomes very incomplete from 2003 onwards. No international events are planned anymore.

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