By Syma Sayyah, Tehran

At a time when most people are hesitant to start a new business or expand an ongoing one, when business people in all fields complain of low sales and despondency, except maybe those involved in the food industry, I find it delightful that a few dedicated and courageous people have the daring to forgo the barriers of fear and the necessary financial risk that such endeavor entails.  These hardships are on top of the difficult work and above all the troubles that they have to go through in order to obtain the relevant permissions. It is even more pleasant to know that three ladies who are business friends and colleagues got together and stepped into a big project despite the present negative business environment.

Aria Eghbal, Elahe Javaheri and Mrs. Vallie

These ladies are Elahe Javaheri ( the Manager, art director and owner of Elahe Gallery in Tehran- with a user-friendly website which is great if you wish to know something in general about Iranian artists), Aria Eghbal (Painter, and a member of group and owner of Aria Gallery which has a very good relationship both with older and younger artists) and finally Mrs. Vallie from Vallie Gallery in Tehran.  These ladies got together recently and set up the first serious art school in Tehran.

Recently I went there to visit them as the new term was about to start and I was amazed at the hard work and the changes that they had brought into this two story house at:

No 12 Kaj-Abadie street, opposite Park Mellat in Valiassar Avenue.

Telephone No. 22051786 & 22053587

Paraphrasing the words in the foreword of a highly elegant booklet that has been produced with list of teachers we read that, it is more than a century since Art Education has started in Iran and the first university art course took place some 60 years ago which has lead to the careers of many artists that we know. However, this trend has been hampered and art education in Iran is a little behind that in the West or East.   Now Mahe-Mehr Art Education Institute is determined not only show the best of art work in Iran at its gallery but also train and educate the future artists and enhance and nourish their students talents.

Here students can register for common 10 weeks courses through out the year ranging from paintings to photography and from creative animation to Technical Language for Art.  When one reads the list of artists and professors who teach there, it is like the who's who in art and culture in Iran. Well known names in the list include in art from Aydeen Aghdashlou and Dr Sami-Azar to Parvis Tanavoli.  (Parvis Tanavoli's work is the main part of the current Middle East Now exhibition at British Museum in London, and I highly recommend those who are or will visit London before September to see it.) The well known names such as Mr Bahman Jalai & Hamid Souri to Mehran Mohajer catch the eye in photograph.

At Mahe-Mehr, there is a small library decorated with dated items of good taste, with many art books in different fields, and there is an intention to expand the library.  There is a gallery downstairs which is soon to be opened as well as several classrooms on the ground floor and first floors. There is a photo laboratory which was being prepared when we visited them.

The institute's hall, offices and landing are decorated with original paintings of Iran's most well known artists.  There is also a petite cafeteria as you enter the lovely and spacious garden which is decorated with interesting sculptures, where students can enjoy homer-made cookies and hot or cold soft drinks. 

For further information including the list of the courses offered please contact their website

 www.mahe-mehr.com or write to them at: info@mahe-mehr.com

I have a few pictures for you to enjoy and become familiar with the work of Mahe-Mehr and recommend it to your friends for themselves or their families.