The History of Gallery Midnight...

They say home is where the heart is, and for Johny Reid that happens to be Chamonix.
After ‘commuting’ back and forth from London to Chamonix, Johny
firmly lay down his paint brush where his palette was, in the Valley of Chamonix
and spent the 2002/03 Winter - Summer period as a hunter/gatherer of studies,
sketches and etches for his first ‘Chamonix exhibition’, in November
2003, London.
Encouraged by the success of his London exhibition, the self
belief to live the dream of founding the first modern art gallery in the Chamonix
valley grew.  Johny recalls a few nerves, “with no precedent it
seemed a risky venture, would people be interested enough to buy art in a world
renowned ski/ mountaineering town?” However Johny, inspired by the magical
natural beauty of Europe’s highest mountain range, did what any self
respectful artist would do, and blew caution right out of the Chamonix valley
and began the journey of realisation, bringing the world of art to Chamonix…

They say big things come from humble beginnings, Johny is no exception. True
to the artistic vein, a shed at the foot of the Grands Montets lift system
housed the first gallery. But people more interested in skiing and ’après
ski’ just passed by. Ever the natural self-publicist, Johny threw a
few of his infamous parties, clearly, only to introduce himself to the world,
and began painting the town red. People began buying his work, with comments
such as ‘we didn’t realise you were THAT sort of artist when
we met you in bar!’

With hard endeavour, word of mouth and Johny’s obvious talents, the winter
proved a success and a larger gallery was needed. Johny’s dream was taking
shape. He was offered a new location at “L’ancien Hôtel du
Globe”, Argentière (www.alpinespace.biz)
where the gallery presently resides, by owner and local entrepreneur, Matthew
Leguen de Lacroix. With a larger gallery Johny’s art attack on Chamonix
grew in force and he was able to action more of his ideas with the addition
of other talented Chamonix based artists into his gallery.

At present Gallery Midnight as it has now become known, exhibit’s the
work of three other artists, Andy Parkin, Charlie Adam and Cornelius Wright.
As Johny remarks, “the philosophy of Gallery Midnight is to only
show work that is original , dynamic and unique. An artist who begins to draw
from his own influences rather than those of others, will begin to create new
techniques resulting in art work that has the stamp of that artist, in this
way you begin to create new schools of art, a different way of seeing and appreciating.
This should be the aim of every true artist and the gallery goes along way
to promote this. You will not be disappointed if you pay a visit.”

Gallery Midnight has a rustic mountain charm, where all who enter feel welcomed.
You can come and enjoy tea and cakes while you peruse the artwork, and of course
a bottle of wine is never far away from being opened, obviously not before
lunch! Important to Johny is the fact that Gallery Midnight is a ‘working’ gallery
where you can watch Johny and the other artists at work at various times and
discuss their work. As a gallery owner Johny has tried to rid the ‘snob’ factor
that associates itself with many galleries, and is proud the public can view
the artwork exhibited in its working environment and gain a better understanding
of art. “I love it when I see people trying to work out why they have
been captivated by a painting’’ says Johny, and its usually because
they are recalling the atmosphere that the painting is evoking in them.”

And what does the future hold? After this winter the Gallery will undergo re-development
and come winter 2007 a new look Gallery Midnight will emerge with artists’ studios,
a lounge and coffee area and with luck, maybe some heating! True to the ambience
of the Gallery, events such as weekly private dining, wine tasting evenings
to get to know Johny’s other side, film/ slide shows courtesy of local
mountain men and women, the infamous life drawing classes and vernisages for
local artists. Also adding an international flavour, Johny hopes to take the
Gallery on the road to London, Paris, Milan and Geneva.

It is evident that the gallery and its owner have made an impact in Chamonix
and added a new extremity to a famous town where ‘extreme’ is an
everyday word. I only hope Johny learns to ski as well as he paints! Oh, if
you are wondering where the name ‘Gallery Midnight’ derives from,
Johny with the cheeky grin of true artist explains, “You would have to
ask Matt from the MBC brasserie in Chamonix, it involves beer and late nights”.
Self explanatory really. Enjoy Gallery Midnight.