A Place of Beauty, Reflection and Creation
Nestled in a stone village in the heart of the French Vexin, Mahita Tsara — a Malagasy expression meaning “beautiful view” — is a private artist residency dedicated to contemporary art and creative practice.
Built by a French spice merchant whose travels and trade extended to Madagascar, the house was originally a place of exchange between cultures and continents. Today, Mahita Tsara continues this legacy by offering contemporary artists a unique environment for creation, exploration and reflection.
Located near the landscapes that inspired Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Camille Pissarro and Paul Cézanne, Mahita Tsara offers artists a rare opportunity: time away from the pace of contemporary life, surrounded by history, light and landscapes that have shaped generations of creators.
The French Vexin
Located approximately one hour Northwest of Paris, the French Vexin is a landscape of stone villages, open fields, forests and historic estates — a place where nature, history and artistic inspiration coexist.
Built in 1885, Mahita Tsara belongs to the same remarkable period that transformed the French Vexin into one of France’s most celebrated artistic landscapes. In the late nineteenth century, artists were drawn to the region’s extraordinary light and countryside, helping shape the emergence of modern painting.
A short distance from the residency:
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Pontoise, where Camille Pissarro lived and worked from 1866 to 1883, developing a close artistic relationship with Paul Cézanne and helping shape the development of Impressionism.
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Giverny, where Claude Monet settled in 1883 and created the gardens that became inseparable from his artistic vision.
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Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent Van Gogh spent the final months of his life in 1890, creating some of his most remarkable final works.
More than a century later, Mahita Tsara continues this artistic conversation by inviting contemporary artists to bring their own vision to a landscape where art history remains deeply present.
A Founding Artistic Collaboration with Clubhouse Gallery
Mahita Tsara Residency and Clubhouse Gallery share a belief that meaningful artistic experiences emerge through connection — between artists, places and cultures.
Separated by the Atlantic Ocean, Wellington, Florida and the French Vexin share a unique sense of place. Both landscapes have a deep connection to the horse, a timeless symbol of movement, freedom and exploration.
Clubhouse Gallery has cultivated a vibrant community of artists in Wellington, one of the world’s leading equestrian communities. Mahita Tsara offers a historic French setting in the Vexin, where horses remain an integral part of the region’s identity and way of life.
Together, Mahita Tsara Residency and Clubhouse Gallery create an opportunity for contemporary artists based in the United States to experience France through a place of history, beauty and artistic discovery.
The Residency at Mahita Tsara
Each year, a limited number of artists are invited to take part in the residency. The program is invitation-only and does not accept artist submissions. Residents are offered:
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a private and inspiring environment in which to live and work;
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uninterrupted time dedicated to research, experimentation, and creative development;
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an immersion into French culture, history, and landscape;
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the freedom to create away from the pace and expectations of the contemporary art market.
The residency is fully funded, with all core needs provided so artists can focus entirely on their practice. This includes:
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accommodations;
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groceries and daily sustenance;
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art supplies and materials necessary for production;
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guided tours of the artistic and cultural landmarks of the region.
The residency gives artists the freedom to focus on their work, discover the region, and allow new ideas and perspectives to emerge.
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Mahita Tsara Residency is a place where artists are invited to slow down, observe and create.
A place with a beautiful view where past and future meet.
A place where new visions begin.