French Art & Food Series inspired by SAM 

From October 2025 to January 2026, explore a series of Alliance Francaise Seattle programs inspired by the Seattle Art Museum exhibit Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism.










The Gleaners, 1887, Léon August Lhermitte, French, 1844-1925, oil on canvas, 291/2 x 373/4in., Philadelphia Museum of Art, The George W. Elkins Collections, 1924, E1974.4.19, Courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and American Federation of Arts
Inspired by the Seattle Art Museum's Farm to Table exhibition, these classes and events celebrate the intersection of French art, food, and culture through a dynamic lineup of creative programming. From a classic French dictée to film discussions and classes on French painters, each event invites participants to explore the rich cultural landscape behind the exhibit in an engaging way. Designed to spotlight the French roots of impressionist-era food and identity, these courses and events offer an immersive approach to the language and aesthetics that continue to shape how we gather, eat, and create.

Farm to Table Exhibit at Seattle Art Museum 

Featuring more than 50 works by artists ranging from Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, and Camille Pissarro, to Eugène Boudin, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Victor Gabriel Gilbert, this exhibition looks back at the Age of Impressionism through the lens of French culinary tradition. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBIT LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

Arts & Literature

Paint & Sip with Jamie Rawding

November 19 | 6pm - 8pm

MLK FAME Community Center

Explore the luminous and expressive world of watercolor, a medium beloved by Impressionist painters for its ability to capture light, atmosphere, and everyday beauty. This event will be led en français by painter Jamie Rawding, who will guide you through your own farm-to-table themed artwork, offering you the opportunity to paint the subject that inspires you. As you sip wine and paint scenes of French cafes, you will learn essential watercolor techniques and a bit of French along the way. French level of A2+ recommended, no artistic experience needed. All materials will be provided. Just bring your curiosisty and a taste for art and culture.

TICKETS HERE TICKETS HERE

Drink & Draw with Nicholas Enevoldsen

January 16 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Obec Brewing

Immerse yourself in an evening inspired by the Seattle Art Museum's Farm to Table exhibit. During this Drink and Draw experience, guests explore the intersection of art, food, and identity by sketching still lifes. Guided by local artist, Nicholas Enevoldsen, this event invites you to slow down, sip thoughtfully, and sketch what feeds the body and soul. The event will culminate in a visit to view the exhibit at SAM on January 17 with the group and instructor.

Tickets Available Soon Tickets Available Soon

Dictée Gourmande with Pauline Chateau

January 17 | 1pm - 2pm

SAM Nordstrom Art Studio


Put your French skills to the test during Saturdays at SAM with a fun and flavorful twist! In this Dictée Gourmande, participants will listen carefully and transcribe the steps of a classic French recipe with correct spelling and grammar. It's a tasty way to sharpen your language skills with a focus on new culinary vocabulary. AFSeattle French instructor, Pauline, will read the recipe a few times as you write, before exploring the grammar and vocabulary behind it.

Sign-up Available Soon Sign-up Available Soon

Cinema

Ciné-Salon | King Georges

December 13 | 2pm - 4pm

SAM Pletscheeff Auditorium

 Join us for a bilingual discussion about the film, King Georges, at the Seattle Art Museum. We invite you to delve deeper into the film after the screening with AFSeattle instructor, Giuseppa De Luca. The film is a documentary about "fiery French chef" Georges Perrier and his efforts to prevent Le Bec Fin, a 40-year-old French restaurant that he started in Philadelphia, from closing.

Free event.

LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE

Ciné-Salon | Kings of Pastry

December 27 | 2pm - 4pm

SAM Pletscheeff Auditorium

Join us for a bilingual discussion about the film, Kings of Pastry, at the Seattle Art Museum. We invite you to delve deeper into the film after the screening with AFSeattle instructor, Giuseppa De Luca. The film is a documentary about Jacquy Pfeiffer, founder of the French Pastry School in Chicago. Learn more about his return to France to compete against 15 of France's leading pastry chefs in this 3-day event, the winner of whom receives the coveted Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman in France) from President Sarkozy - a dream for every pastry chef. 

Free event.

LEARN MORE LEARN MORE

Ciné-Salon | The Gleaners and I

January 9 | 3:30pm - 5pm

Online via Zoom

Join us for a bilingual discussion about the film, Kings of Pastry, at the Seattle Art Museum. We invite you to delve deeper into the film after the screening with AFSeattle instructor, Giuseppa De Luca. The film is a documentary about Jacquy Pfeiffer, founder of the French Pastry School in Chicago. Learn more about his return to France to compete against 15 of France's leading pastry chefs in this 3-day event, the winner of whom receives the coveted Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman in France) from President Sarkozy - a dream for every pastry chef. 

Free event.

SIGN-UP AVAILABLE SOON SIGN-UP AVAILABLE SOON

Exhibition Highlights

Exhibit Tour in French | Visite en français

November 22 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Join artist Jamie Rawding on an exploration of the Farm to Table exhibition in French. Journey through the artwork in the language of the artists. Discover contemporary works that celebrate the connections between the land, local producers, and our plates. Whether you're a native speaker or looking to practice your French in a meaningful context, this tour is your opportunity to learn more about art, while meeting fellow Francophone visitors.

Free with museum admission.

LEARN MORE LEARN MORE

SAM Talks: We Are Where We Eat: Seattle's Food Culture

December 11 | 6pm - 8pm

SAM Plestcheeff Auditorium

Discover the landscape of Seattle's food culture and its relationship with global cooking traditions during this special edition of SAM Talks. AFSeattle board member, Daisley Gordon, will share his perspectives as chef and co-owner of Cafe Campagne alongside chef, food writer and founder of Serious Eats, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt. The panel discussion will be moderated by KUOW's Ruby de Luna.

Free with museum admission.

RSVP HERE RSVP HERE

Saturdays at SAM

January 17 | 11am - 2pm

Connect with fellow Alliance Française de Seattle members and students for a special cultural outing to the Seattle Art Museum. During the final Saturdays at SAM of the Farm to Table exhibit, you will have the opportunity to explore the artwork while engaging with others who share your interest in French language and culture. Come celebrate the closing of Farm to Table with our community in an inspiring, art-filled setting.
Free event.

LEARN MORE LEARN MORE

French Courses

At the Table with French Painters

B1+ Specialized Course | With Lusiné Shoukourian

October 20 - November 10

4 Weeks, 1h30 once a week, total of 6h

This unique course combines French art, language, and gastronomy in an engaging cultural experience. Over four sessions, we'll explore the culinary tastes of great French painters – Cézanne, Renoir, Monet, and Toulouse-Lautrec – through their favorite recipes, drawn from personal notebooks, correspondence, and cookbooks. Each session highlights one painter, an iconic artwork, a recipe, and themed vocabulary.This immersive course offers French language learners the opportunity to expand their vocabulary while exploring France's rich artistic and culinary heritage through hands-on cooking and cultural discovery. 

REGISTER NOW REGISTER NOW

At the Table with Julia Child

B1/B2 Workshop | With Giuseppa De Luca

December 12 | 3pm - 6pm

We will embark on a flavorful journey through France with Julia Child! Through engaging discussions, video clips, and readings, you’ll learn about her impact on French cuisine and culture. Participants will examine how Child’s culinary journey shaped her sense of self and connection to French culture. With a focus on vocabulary, storytelling, and cultural reflection, this course offers a dive into French language and identity through the lens of cuisine. 

REGISTER NOW REGISTER NOW

TV Programs on TV5Monde

You must be subscribed to TV5Monde to view these programs.

Cuisine and Gastronomy

STREAM NOW STREAM NOW

La Peinture Française autour du monde 

STREAM NOW STREAM NOW

Thank you to the Seattle Art Museum!