Every year contemporary artists & galleries from around the world are invited to a one of a kind art exhibit and shopping event at the prestigious Louvre in Paris to celebrate artistic diversity & unity. It's an event where 100+ artists/galleries exhibited their creations to over 40,000 visitors attending. The event featured live musical performances, round table discussions and an art auction. This event is a leading contemporary art fair in Paris that gives artists the opportunity to present their work to visitors, art lovers, art enthusiasts and art collectors. The exhibit also provides a space for artists to explain their art and talk to enthusiasts and aspiring collectors.

Java Joshi, our very own Lexington resident artist and the Founder of Academy of Creative Arts has a PhD in Fine Arts of Drawing and Painting has exhibited her work at various national and international art fairs. Java was approached and invited by a Dubai based gallery to showcase her art at this prestigious event in October 2024. Java submitted & exhibited 4 of her paintings from her "Dispositions" collection where she created a series of paintings that delved into various emotions a lady goes through during different stages of her life. Be it feeling suffocated by her own thoughts and being tangled (symbolized by her own hair strangling her) to feeling confined & lonely to finding inner peace through Introspection and meditation. Java's work was well appreciated by Parisian locals, artists and art collectors from around the globe alike. During this exhibit she was approached by many other gallerics and art collectors to sell and display her work at other prestigious international venues. One of the art collectors requested Java to sell her art that both Java & her husband Hetal had put as "Not for Sale".

To the question of selling Java's art to collectors Hetal said, "Each of Java's creations has a story and memory behind it that I do not want to let go of - so to me all her creations are priceless. I have witnessed these coming to life from a blank canvas - there is no price that someone can offer for the emotions and stories we have attached to Java's paintings. So I do not want to sell her art - at least until I am alive as these are too personal and special for me. If the kids want to once we are gone - we will leave it to them to decide."

"I feel honored and humbled to be a small part of such a vast world of art. It was very inspiring to see so many different styles of art and the amount of advancement that has happened in the world of art - there are artists that are combining technology with their art creating very unique and engaging art experiences. This was like a dream come true for any artist to be showcasing their work amongst world's leading contemporary artists especially at such a prestigious venue in Paris. Never did I think of this growing up - but here I am. I wish to be able to share these experiences and learnings with all my students. Some day I would love to see my students' work being displayed at such prestigious shows & venues" said Java Joshi.

You can view some of Java's art at www.javajoshi.com.

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