A new temporary art gallery dedicated to outsider and unconventional art has opened in Vaison-la-Romaine, France, offering visitors a unique cultural experience that changes weekly. The gallery, called "Eos" after the mythological goddess of dawn, sister of the Sun and Moon, represents a collaborative effort between three art enthusiasts who aim to showcase art "on the margins" of mainstream culture.

The gallery is the brainchild of artist Olivier J. Leda-Weiss, known professionally as Olivier J.LW, who has been living in Vaison-la-Romaine since 2022. Originally from France, Olivier moved to Belgium as a teenager to pursue his studies before eventually returning to his homeland. During his time in Belgium, he immersed himself in various artistic disciplines including music, studio recording, and graphic design, working professionally as a graphic designer for years while nurturing his passion for sound creation.

In 2021-2022, Olivier made a decisive move back to Vaison-la-Romaine with a clear intention: to dedicate 100% of his time to painting and sculpture, while still maintaining his musical interests. His artistic journey took a collaborative turn when he partnered with his friend and neighbor, painter Jacky Bretaudeau, with whom he had previously exhibited in Séguret. The duo was joined by collector Dominique Bonhomme, who has a particular passion for outsider art, raw art, and surrealism.

The concept behind Gallery Eos is to provide a space for art that exists outside conventional boundaries, away from the beaten path, designed to intrigue and captivate curious audiences. The gallery benefits from a partnership with Point Rouge Gallery in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which regularly lends artwork for exhibitions. What makes this gallery particularly unique is its rotating exhibition format – the artwork display changes every week, encouraging visitors to return regularly to discover constantly renewed artistic universes.

Parallel to the Eos project, Olivier has been collaborating for a year with Ansatu Schlumberger and Mélanie Duchaussoy, who operate their own gallery near the Roman bridge in Vaison-la-Romaine. He maintains a permanent exhibition there and occasionally opens his "green house" on Avenue Jules Ferry during art tours or by appointment. For Olivier, the success of a gallery is measured not only by visitor numbers and sales but also by artistic cohesion and the atmosphere that greets visitors upon entry.

Despite being somewhat removed from Vaison-la-Romaine's main tourist center, the team views each visit as a success. The current iteration of Gallery Eos is scheduled to end in late September, but there's potential for the project to be reborn elsewhere if the team remains united and the right opportunity presents itself.

Olivier continues his personal artistic work alongside the gallery project, with an upcoming exhibition in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and maintaining his permanent presence in Vaison-la-Romaine. His artistic inspirations draw from diverse sources, ranging from theosophy, esotericism, and spiritual worlds to concrete elements such as colors, forms, or even pieces of wood he finds by chance that become starting points for imaginary universes. For him, each artwork represents an exploration of other dimensions and serves as a dialogue between matter and spirit.

Visitors can explore the rotating exhibitions at Gallery Eos through the end of summer at 13 Avenue Jules Ferry in Vaison-la-Romaine. The gallery represents a unique opportunity to experience unconventional art in an intimate setting that prioritizes curiosity and artistic discovery over commercial considerations.