Meli-Melo Announces Next Batch Of Creperie Artist

This morning New York artist Dan Menta removed his tranquil koi pond prints from 's bright walls to make space for Layla Jafar Lisiewski’s bold acrylic paintings.

The restaurant seats hundreds of patrons every day, into the thousands on the weekends creating prime real estate for artist's whose work matches the restaurants spirit. Layla, a Greenwich native now living in Manhattan says her work is “influenced by her urban environment” and is exhibiting at the restaurant for the second time since last year’s expansion. Layla was the first artist to decorate the crêperie’s new wall space in March 2011 after the eatery's 2010 expansion was almost complete. Passionate about color and movement, Layla explains her work as setting “recognizable shapes into new visual frameworks”.

(For more information about Dan Menta visit: www.danmenta.com)

(For more information about Layla Jafar Lisiewski visit: www.ladeedadecor.com)

In March 2011 the original crêperie space was renovated and re-opened as the all new traiteur (gourmet on-the-go) and pâtisserie (artisan pastries) divisions a month after Layla began her show. With positive feedback from customers Méli-Mélo extended her exhibit through May for the annual ‘Art to the Avenue’ event benefiting The Greenwich Arts Council. This year Layla will partner again with Méli-Mélo showing an array of new pieces.

Next up is Penny Leibowits, also a Greenwich native who enjoys painting from her studios in Connecticut and Florida. Penny’s partnership with Méli-Mélo began in 2007 when she showed her work at the crêperie and presented the Penvenne’s with a watercolor of their restaurant’s store front. Her next show will run June 21 through August 21 with all proceeds benefiting the Hudson Valley Chapter of Make a Wish Foundation.

The selected works reflect a mix of watercolors, oils, gouache, pen and ink paintings including an updated watercolor of the restaurants exterior. “The creative process continues to evolve for me” Penny explained. She explores new techniques, new brush strokes and “the freedom of painting with a palette knife” in her upcoming show at the eatery.

(For more information about Penny C. Leibowits contact the artist directly at: pclstudio@aol.com)                                     

Bringing us into Fall is Jayson Atienza, a popular New York artist who catches the attention of those highly regarded in various art segments nationally. His free-hand execution of the watercolor and ink style provides a signature aesthetic to his work distinct from anything we see today. Jayson will show for the first time at Méli-Mélo August 21^st to October 15^th. He plans to donate a portion of his proceeds to an organization he formed in 2007 encouraging youth to follow their creative passions. His work has also been recognized by every major awards show including the One Show, the Art Directors Club, D&AD, Cannes Lion, Andy Awards, and the Clios

(For more information about Jayson Atienza visit: www.jaysonatienza.com)

Artist interested in showing can submit work for review and sell paintings, prints or photographs free of charge with acceptance. Owner Marc Penvenne doesn’t require a percentage from sales he only asks that artist keep his restaurant in mind. “We choose artists that represent our brand in their work” explained Penvenne, “I think it brings more life and excitement to the restaurant”. Artists are welcome to drop off images of their artwork in person or email them to marketing@melimelogreenwich.com for consideration.

Photos of art form previous shows are available on the restaurants facebook page: facebook.com/melimelocrepes. For more information visit the web site at www.melimelogreenwich.com.

More about Méli-Mélo Greenwich: Méli-Mélo is a full service BYOB restaurant and event/corporate caterer based in Greenwich, Connecticut with an award winning breakfast menu. Known since 1993 for its authentic French crêpes and “international cuisine with a French twist” the eatery now offers artisan pastries and gourmet foods on-the-go. In 2010 the restaurant expanded and renovated its original space for the all new traiteur and pâtisserie divisions. Méli-Mélo Pâtisserie offers custom orders, including gluten free options prepared by skilled Parisian pastry chefs in Greenwich. On the savory side gourmet style French classics, meals, sides and dressings are ready for takeout at Méli-Mélo Traiteur (meaning the delicatessen or caterer in French). Food is always freshly prepared daily on premises by the highly skilled staff lead by multiple chefs who are passionate about their craft. The breakfast, lunch and dinner menu includes organic, vegetarian and all natural items within its various sections. Hours of operation are 7:00am to 10:00pm weekdays and 8:00am to 10:00pm weekends.

“The name (hodgepodge in English) derives from the French ''mélanger,'' meaning to mix or mingle, and Meli-Melo mixes it up in amazing fashion -- and at the kind of moderate prices you don't expect to find on stylish Greenwich Avenue”. – Patricia Brooks, Food Critic for the New York Times