A new contemporary art gallery has just opened in the village of Mougins. Meet its passionate owner Claire le Gouill

With her sparkling eyes and warm smile, Claire opens the doors of her new address, “Art de Claire Galerie”, located in the heart of Mougins village, rue Honoré Henry. In a vast 70 m² space, she passionately invites us to discover a collection of eclectic works, ranging from pop art to street-art and contemporary art.

The artists on show are mainly regional, but also international and emerging. ” I choose them according to what I like, because I can only sell what I like,” she explains.

An eclectic career focused on art

A taste for art and beauty is nothing new to the gallery owner. A native of Nice, she was introduced to it at an early age by her opera-singing grandmother. After studying information and communication at Sophia Antipolis, then performing arts, she worked for the Bruno Jacquin dance company in Cannes and for the Théâtre de Draguignan.

Then she became a mother, worked for several years in real estate, before feeling the need to return to her first passion: art. In 2018, she returned to Jean Ferrero, the great photographer and gallery owner, a member of the École de Nice, for whom she had worked when she was younger. He encouraged her to set up her own gallery. She found the courage to take the plunge. First online, then with a physical space in Puget-sur-Argens, before opting for Mougins at the end of 2024. “For me, it’s an emblematic city of art and luxury, attracting a clientele of connoisseurs from all over the world.”

An innovative service: art leasing

Claire is a dynamic entrepreneur and President of the Club des Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises de Var-Esterel. Always on the lookout for new projects and innovations, she doesn’t limit her business to exhibiting and selling works of art in galleries or online. She also offers an innovative solution: art leasing. ” This scheme enables companies and the self-employed to rent works of art for periods of 13 to 48 months, while benefiting from tax advantages. At the end of the contract, purchase is possible for only 5% of the work’s value. This is an old concept, introduced in the 1980s, but still little-known. Many entrepreneurs are unaware of this scheme, despite the fact that it is an extremely advantageous way of saving tax while embellishing their professional space. . Art is an emotion, a means of communication and differentiation for a company. It also federates teams and raises awareness of artistic beauty. “says Claire.

Reaching a wide audience

To further extend the visibility of its artists, Claire is also multiplying its strategic partnerships. She installs works for sale in a variety of locations, including high-end gyms, restaurants and coworking spaces.

“The important thing is to create opportunities for the public to encounter art, and I’m open to any proposal and hope to be able to collaborate with Mougin establishments,” she stresses.

A new chapter in Mougins

Installed in Mougins since November 2024, the gallery is preparing for its official inauguration on March 28, 2025. On the program: a renewed hanging and a spotlight on Stéphane de Bourgies’ photographic work: a wide range of black and white portraits of actors and chefs, businessmen and singers. But also portraits of nudes, or flowers…

Find out more

11 Rue Honoré Henry, 06250 Mougins

https://artdeclairegalerie.com/