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Version française
L’ATELIER DES ARTS
A 'custom-made' partner
The Atelier des arts is aptly named. In addition to framing and restoring paintings, the workshop offers its customers a whole range of materials selected from amongst the best brands in the market: canvases and frames, paper of different weights, a wide choice of paint and quality accessories. It is not surprising then that renowned artists place their confidence in The Atelier. Behind the company name is Michel Angot, who has put all his energy and enthusiasm into helping others.
His 31 years in this profession has allowed Michel Angel to gain the confidence of his customers. Passionate about his job, he has been self-employed for 16 years. Throughout the first half of his career, he worked under four successive employers at the same firm. It was in 1976 that his odyssey began, alongside a certain Jean Bréant, the painter and professional artist that everyone in Rouen respects and, when Michel Angot talks about these challenging years, it is not without a twinge of nostalgia. Today, he works alongside two full-time employees. One is in charge of sales, the other, of manufacturing. In addition to his full-time presence at the shop, Michel is in charge of the administrative side of the business, which increases with every year that passes. He never, however, neglects his original task: listening to his customers. Having become one of the 'pillars' of his district, he nurtures convivial conversation with each customer.
The work of a specialist
Framing works of art and providing painters with quality material leaves no room for improvisation. It is specialist work. Offering products that cannot necessarily be found elsewhere and providing the artist with the best advice possible demands years of experience and listening. "I have put everything, with conviction, into the development of this business" admits Michel Angot, aware of its commitment. "For a decade, the Atelier des Arts remained small in size. In 2001, I felt the need to renovate the equipment, expand sales space and optimize the presentation. A product sells well when it is well-presented."
With many brands of reference (over 30 for painting alone), stocking the shelves of the Atelier des Arts requires a perfect knowledge of the needs of each artist. Michel's day-to-day work consists first and foremost of advising customers. In some cases, it even ensures home delivery. This "customized" service may be subject to certain conditions, but it is appreciated by those who experience difficulty in transporting the material.
From framing to restauration work
If the Atelier des Arts counts a large number of amateurs and private individuals among its customers, especially in the teaching and self-employed professions, it also has won the confidence of public institutions as well as a large number of painters in Normandy (Authouart, Alain Colliard, Pierre Godet, Jacques Lebourgeois, Françoise Lemaître-Leroux, Annie Puybareau, Jacques René, Vervisch, to name just a few, are loyal customers and in this he takes great pride). Many of them are counted among his friends. The framing, cleaning, and restauration of paintings on canvas are part of the daily routine for the company. The material it offers includes the entire range of commercially available paints (thin, super thin, or extra thin). Customers are received with warmth, even spoiled. It is not uncommon that they are offered a cup of coffee or a cold drink. "I love conversing with artists," says Michel Angot. "This is a very exciting line of work that has also taught me a great deal. The best way to keep customers is by knowing how to provide the right advice, fast service and optimum quality while remaining composed at the same time. Our best adverts come from our own customers. But there is also the invisible part of the work, which takes place inside the workshop. Recently, I had to make a heavy investment in production equipment. Our material is at the cutting-edge of technology and we now have four computer stations. We cannot afford to be left behind. We must, at all time, be able to evolve."
Compiled by Luis Porquet
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