By Natalie Taylor
Francoise Yohalem was born in the Dordogne Valley of southern France, in a small, medieval town amid mountains. San Miguel de Allende’s centuries-old buildings, cobblestone streets, and a central plaza with a church remind her of her birthplace. She began her education in France and then, at 19, went to study in London, where she worked as an au pair for an American couple. When they moved back to the United States, she was invited to join them and come to Washington, D.C., at the age of 23 with a green card.
In Washington, she got a job with the French Embassy and met her future husband, who had just completed law school. They settled in D.C., had two children, and Francoise returned to university, where she got a BA in art. They moved to Schenectady, and Francoise continued her studies at the State University of New York (SUNY), receiving a Master’s degree in studio painting. She then got a job as assistant director of an art gallery and began to learn and love the intricacies of art exhibitions. She also painted abstracts in acrylics and had several shows featuring her works.
She divorced, and many years later, in the 1970s, returned to D.C., alone. She went to work for a contemporary art gallery, where she made connections with many artists and exhibitors. D.C. had a program, initiated by U.S. President John F. Kennedy, requiring works of art in any public or private spaces. This necessitated the installation of art in lobbies, in front of buildings, in parks, hospitals, and government buildings. Most importantly, it required a keen eye from someone who would decide which works were good enough to place in those spaces. Francoise was introduced to what it means to be an “art consultant,” someone who directs the placement of art works in public spaces. Eventually, she dedicated herself to this branch of art exhibition.
Francoise had always loved travel, which she did by including volunteer work. She became a team leader for Global Volunteers. The organization would go to developing countries and complete any project that the local community wanted and would benefit that entire community. These projects involved anything from teaching English, or painting, or even working at an orphanage. For over 20 years, she worked with this organization and traveled with them to numerous countries around the world, from Vietnam to Peru.
In 2010 she came with Global Volunteers to Queretaro to teach English. One weekend, she came for a visit to San Miguel de Allende. It happened to be the weekend of the Lord of the Conquest, and the streets were filled with music, color, and the picturesque indigenous dancers. Francoise was taken by it all, especially the dancing, which she had always loved. She was also enchanted by the architecture that reminded her very much of the small French village where she had grown up. She felt an immediate connection to San Miguel.
The following year she came with a friend and stayed for two months in Centro. After that, she began her yearly sojourn, staying for approximately three months as she contemplated her next stage in life—it was a “slow retirement.” Finally, in 2017, she decided that this was the place where she would stay for the rest of her life. In 2018, she was invited to go to Buenos Aires to direct a major art competition to find the right sculptures for a memorial park honoring Argentina’s victims of state terrorism. The project, Parque de la Memoria—Remembrance Park—is a sculpture park with a powerful message along the shores of Rio de la Plata.
In San Miguel, Francoise has continued volunteer work but also returned to what she always loved—dancing. She became fascinated with the Ballet Folklorico of San Miguel and offered personal funds and support. Then, in 2021 she founded the Amigos del Ballet Folklorico—a non-profit organization that provides support to the dance company. Francoise has positioned herself as the liaison between the local and foreign community as a way of helping the dancers. Her work was considered so important that she was designated as one of the Guardianes de la Cultura—Guardians of Culture—the only foreigner to receive this honor in San Miguel de Allende. The ceremony was held in September of 2021, and at that time she was given the medal by Mayor Villarreal. She continues her involvement to showcase the Ballet Folklorico of San Miguel de Allende—a true joy and a passion.
Natalie Taylor received her BA in English Literature and Journalism from Chicago’s Loyola University in 1995, and her MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont, in 1999. She is a published writer, editor, and journalist, as well as a Spanish teacher in the United States, an English teacher in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a translator. Her website is www.natalietaylor.org. She can be contacted at tangonata@gmail.com.
