January 27th 2025.
George Ivan Fochive, a former professional soccer player and champion with the Portland Timbers, has established a strong connection with the city that he called home during his playing days. He has recently opened a new coffee shop, called L'Atelier Yaffe, as a way to deepen his roots and give back to the community.
In collaboration with TED Portland, Fochive is providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents at his coffee shop. The name of the shop, L'Atelier Yaffe, is a combination of French and Hebrew words that reflect the shop's values. "L'Atelier" means "the studio" in French, while "Yaffe" translates to "beautiful" in Hebrew.
Fochive shared with What Now Portland that L'Atelier Yaffe aims to go beyond the ordinary. It is a place where people can come together over a delicious drink or food pairing and appreciate the diverse talents of artists. The idea for the shop came to Fochive during his travels, as he was inspired to create a space that celebrates the power of art in shaping perspectives and fostering connections.
In a recent interview with KATU, Fochive expressed how his upbringing strongly influenced his love for art. "Where I grew up, art was strongly emphasized in school," he shared. This upbringing has played a significant role in his passion for promoting and supporting artists in his community.
One of the featured artists at L'Atelier Yaffe, Kyra Watkins, expressed her appreciation for the sense of community that Fochive has created at the coffee shop. She feels honored to have her work displayed in a public space, where it can be seen and appreciated by the community. "It feels good to have my work in a storefront, in the window, somewhere public where people can see it," she said. "I'm always grateful for the support of the community, which helps to amplify the role of art in our lives."
According to the shop's website, the mission of L'Atelier Yaffe is to create an environment where people feel comfortable having meaningful conversations and forming connections with others in Portland. "We strive to foster a community of creativity and collaboration, and we are committed to showcasing the innovative works of both established and emerging artists," the website states. The transformative power of visual arts is at the heart of everything they do at L'Atelier Yaffe.
In addition to being a hub for art, the coffee shop also hosts events and exhibits that bring people together. Most recently, they collaborated with André LeRoy Davis to showcase his artwork at City Winery NYC. L'Atelier Yaffe continues to be a place where the community can come together and celebrate the beauty and impact of art in our lives.
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