Monaco Women Network introduces
"Breaking Boundaries: Women Leaders in the Art World"
in collaboration with Maison d'Art
As part of the exclusive One Masters Monaco exhibition—a private collectors salon showcasing fine and modern art, antiques, and jewelry organized by Art & Jewels of the World from July 9–11 at One Monte-Carlo—the Monaco Women Network along with Maison d'Art were proud to present a special panel discussion on Thursday, July 10th at 5pm.
The panel, titled “Breaking Boundaries: Women Leaders in the Art World”, presented by Vice-President of Monaco Women Network, Valentina Colman, brought together four distinguished speakers—curators, collectors, auction experts, and museum directors—to share their perspectives and personal journeys, and explore how to invest in women in art. The venue reached full capacity, with an audience of collectors, artists, professionals, and art lovers who didn’t just listen — they participated. The atmosphere was electric. Many in the audience engaged directly with the panelists, adding their own perspectives and turning the session into a true exchange.
Leisa Paoli, Director of FAMM, recounted the bold vision of collector Christian Levett, who transformed the Mougins Classical Art Museum into Europe’s first private museum exclusively dedicated to female artists. Her testimony sparked emotion and admiration, as she spoke of the impact such a space has had on visibility, inclusion, and artistic reparation.
Catherine Loewe, curator and advisor, spoke of the transformative power of digital platforms like Eye of the Huntress, which are helping to elevate emerging and overlooked women artists outside of traditional gatekeeping systems. She emphasized how tech innovation can be a tool for equity and recognition.
Stefania Angelini, founder of collect|mc and President of IAA Monaco, explored the intersection between care, education, and artistic leadership. For her, women bring a unique ability to care — for the work, for future generations, and for institutional integrity — and that this sensibility is central to building lasting, equitable curatorial ecosystems.
Anne Laure Carrega, General Secretary of the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo, brought a market perspective, sharing encouraging data on the rising value of women artists at auction. While noting that the value gap is narrowing, she cautioned that sustained effort is still needed — from collectors, galleries, and institutions — to ensure long-term change.
Following the panel, guests enjoyed a private tour of the One Masters Monaco exhibition, which featured outstanding selections of fine art, design, and jewelry. Highlights included the French heritage jewelry house Rouvenat with their timelessly elegant creations; powerful sculptural works by Pablo Atchugarry presented by Adriano Ribolzi Gallery; and Maison d’Art’s vibrant curation featuring artists like Cristiana Fioretti and Stefania Tejada.
The event was a resounding success. We reached full seating capacity and still managed to welcome last-minute guests, a testament to how much people—women and men alike—want to be part of this conversation. The energy in the room was undeniable. This is why we do what we do at the Monaco Women Network: to create meaningful spaces where women across all industries can speak, be seen, and lead the change they want to see. We’re proud to keep pushing boundaries, and we’re just getting started
An experienced professional in the art and culture industry, Leisa Paoli joined the Mougins Classical Art Museum (MACM) in 2012 as the deputy director before being appointed as director in 2014. Collaborating with Christian Levett, the museum's owner and collector, MACM became a venue where classical pieces converse with contemporary works, inviting visitors to draw connections between different mediums and periods in art history. In 2023, when Christian Levett decided to transform MACM into FAMM (Female Artists of the Mougins
Museum), the first private museum in Europe dedicated exclusively to female artists, Leisa Paoli naturally took the helm. Passionate about her profession, she serves as an ambassador for an exceptional collection and is particularly committed to making FAMM accessible to the widest audience. As the curator of temporary exhibitions and the initiator of a program of friendly cultural activities, Leisa leads all of FAMM's activities with her team of women. She is firmly committed to promoting and valuing the contributions of female artists in the art world.
Leisa Paoli
Independent curator, author and art advisor, Catherine Loewe has curated exhibitions internationally including Erwin Wurm public sculpture project in Via Veneto, Rome (2021), Philip Colbert at Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples, (2023) and textiles group show Fabric of Life in collaboration with Vortic and Paul Smith, London (2024). In 2020 she co-founded digital platform Eye of the Huntress with a focus on female artists. Specialising in Modern and Contemporary Art,
Catherine advises private and corporate clients on building collections including site-specific commissions, devising cultural strategies and philanthropic initiatives.
Catherine gained a degree in Art History from the University of East Anglia, subsequently holding positions at leading auction houses, art galleries and publishers. She has served as a patron at Tate Gallery, London, Modern Art Oxford and the selection committee for Kensington & Chelsea Art Week, London.
Catherine Loewe
She obtained a Bachelor in Psychology (Paris X, Nanterre) followed by a Bachelor in Expertise and Business of Art (IESA, FR). In 2012, she finalised her Masters degree in History and Business of the Contemporary Market (Warwick University, UK). Following her studies she trained alongside art collector Heiner Bastian (Berlin, DE). From 2011 to 2017 She founded and directed L’Atelier-KSR (Berlin, DE) an art space dedicated to experimental art forms. At that time she co-curated the project Kunst(shot) (Berlin, DE) together with artist Clémence
de La Tour du Pin, working intensively with uncommon spaces. She founded in 2023 the project
collect|mc located at the 20 bd de Suisse in Monaco and took over the presidency of the IAA - International Artist Association under the patronage of the UNESCO, here in Monaco. Her approach intends to grasp our contemporary condition by constantly questioning how to address the present future. Her curatorial interventions use poetics and activism, drawing inspiration from different areas of research - anthropological, philosophical, along with the continual influence of psychology. Her narratives draw attention to materials and environments, architectures and bodies, living and non-living entities through speculative narratives.
Stefania Angelini
With degrees in law and general art history, and a diploma from the École du Louvre, Anne Laure Carrega began her career in Paris with the Tajan firm. She then became involved in art market start-ups during the dot-com bubble, before spending 12 years working in galleries.
In 2012, she was asked to orchestrate the opening of the Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo, where she has since held the role of general secretary as well as head of the Wines & Spirits department.
Anne Laure Carrega
