Grace Teshima, photo: Chantal Casanova

Once a month Teshima clears the furniture from her spacious drawing room, invites an artist to hang original works on the walls and orders vin rouge for the eclectic mix of writers, musicians, film makers and art lovers who gather for opening nights "chez Grace".

"It's thrilling when there are three or four languages going and you see people of all ages reacting to the work," she said. "Montmartre has a special kind of energy and tradition and I'm very happy to be part of that."

A natural networker, Teshima  has succeeded in attracting established artists, as well as up and coming ones, to present their work in her third floor walk-up. For renowned Belgian painter Arié Mandelbaum, whose canvases are in museum collections, the attraction was an opportunity to refresh artistic friendships in Paris.  Installation artist Barbara Navarro, whose floor-to-ceiling burlap and paint hangings are most often displayed in billowing public spaces, was keen to see her work in a more intimate setting.

Although paintings are sold, she continues to earn her living teaching English and does not yet consider herself a dealer. "I'm an artist's advocate and a collector. I love art and living with the ever changing display. Every once in a while an artist will offer me a painting and that's Nirvana."

Her next high profile show, "The Secret Life of Things," is a series of delicately executed but emotionally powerful drawings by English artist Alan Smith, opening on July 24 (see English speaking Paris).  For an invitation to "chez Grace", contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it