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Catherine Gaillard PerezVisiting New York and taking part in The French Perspective exhibition was just great and very exciting!I had already had group exhibitions in foreign countries, though I never attended in person. But I just didn’t want to miss the openingreception in New York. I can safely say that my whole New York experience was memorable, and sharing the trip and the bigoccasion with part of my family made my stay incredibly special!I was very proud to be in the exhibition at Agora Gallery, and to help my husband and three of my children discover New York City.When we landed on the Fourth of July, at about 10 pm, we could see the fireworks in the sky beneath – I couldn’t have imagineda warmer or more joyful welcome.What I loved the most about New York is the feeling that, in spite of its immensity, its lively nature and its incredible energy, it issuch a cosmopolitan city that you don’t feel a stranger at all and everyone seems to be able to find their place easily. It makesyou feel that somehow you belong a bit too, a feeling that only strengthens the longer you stay there and when you leave. NewYork gives you the feeling that it pulses to a kind of heartbeat (“le rythme d’un coeur qui bat”), as if it is the heart of the world.I was born in Paris and lived for years in the center of that city, though I now live in a quiet place about thirty miles south fromthere. I feel very close to nature and find my main painting inspiration in it or in interior scenes. However, although it was sodifferent, I really felt like “a fish in water” in New York. I felt there a very moving human and positive energy and I already missthe city and I’m eager to come back.It was also great discovering Agora Gallery and its team in person, after exchanging so many emails. When I entered the galleryon the reception evening, I felt as if I already knew all of the staff, and I didn’t feel as if I was in a foreign space. I was very happyto be there and very proud to see some of my paintings displayed there.It was like a dream come true: you think and talk so much about a project and finally you realize it! It is a great sensation. Therewas so much happiness and excitement about this trip to New York that when I got back home I felt for a while like a gloomyteenager, thinking of going back as soon as possible.www.Agora-Gallery.com/Artistpage/Catherine_Gaillard_Perez.aspx79 ARTisSpectrum