Bonfire Bavardages: Creativity and Community at Café Med
This article reflects on the collaborative efforts of students in the Arts Administration course at ACM-IAU during Spring 2025, as they organized and curated the Bonfire Bavardages exhibition in partnership with Mille Fontaines, the student literary magazine. Mille Fontaines, published each semester, brings together creative voices across disciplines, guided by a central theme that reflects the cultural vibrancy and academic diversity of our school. This semester’s theme, "Bonfire Bavardages"—blending English and French to evoke the spirit of "fireside chats"—celebrates warmth, intimacy, and connection. Through creativity, teamwork, and community support, the exhibition transformed Café Med, the ACM-IAU café and gathering space, into a vibrant showcase of student expression.
Arts Administration students hang works for the Bonfire Bavardages exhibition at Cafe Med in Aix-en-Provence.
Bonfire Bavardages exhibition in partnership with Mille Fontaines, the student literary magazine at Cafe Med.
Mille Fontaines is the semesterly literary magazine at ACM-IAU, a publication that brings together the creative voices of students across disciplines. Each edition is guided by a central theme that reflects the cultural vibrancy and academic diversity of our school. This semester’s theme, “Bonfire Bavardages,” blends one English and one French word to embody our bilingual and multicultural community. The phrase loosely translates to “fireside chats,” inspired by the South African tradition of gathering around a fire to share stories, reflections, and lived experiences. It speaks to a spirit of warmth, intimacy, and connection—a spirit that resonates deeply within our campus.
Bonfire Bavardages exhibition at Cafe Med.
As Part of ACM- IAU community working on the Bonfire Beverage exhibition has been an overall rewarding and inspiring experience. Although this isn't my first time participating in an exhibition, I was involved in curating the layout and contributing to the overall process, each new project brings with it its unique challenges, surprises, and lessons.
We began with some brainstorming classes: Where would this project lead? But over time and through collaboration, editing, and much collective effort it came together in a way that felt true to the theme and intentions.
While Café Med isn’t the subject of the show, it made for an ideal space to host the exhibition. Its central, relaxed setting allowed us to present our work in a way that’s accessible and woven into daily student life. There’s something meaningful about displaying art where people actually live, talk, and grab their coffee.
A big part of what made this a special project was the partnership with Mille Fontaines, the ACM-IAU literary magazine. Collaborating with the school’s magazine made us look beyond our work and consider the broader creative and academic community. I also appreciated the involvement of the Dean of School of Art, Dr. Yumna Masarwa, whose support throughout the process meant a lot to all of us.
From the featured student artists to the final installation, the voices and styles that have been allowed to be part of the exhibition speak of warmth and openness in the Bonfire Beverage theme. I am happy with what we have created and look forward to others experiencing it.
Acknowledgements
The Arts Administration class would like to thank Dr. Mohammad Hassouna and the wonderful Café Med staff, whose hospitality and generosity helped bring this exhibition to life. We are also deeply grateful to our partner, Charles DeLeon-Franzen—this exhibition would not have been possible without his collaboration and support.
We extend another heartfelt thank you to Dr. Yumna Masarwa, Dean of the School of Art, for her encouragement and guidance throughout the process, and to Prof. Will Ruller for his invaluable curatorial insight.
Finally, a special thank you to President Carl Jubran and the entire ACM-IAU community for their support and for making this a truly memorable semester.