The Metropolitan Art Society (MAS) opened in Beirut’s Ashrafieh neighborhood in 2013, cementing Beirut’s status as the regional hub for contemporary art. Hosting temporary exhibitions curated by renowned international art dealers and gallerists, MAS facilitates cultural exchange by introducing the work of Western artists to locals, and important figures from the international scene to Lebanon.
A living symbol of Lebanon’s legendary hospitality, the 19th-century Abdallah Bustros Palace (now named Metropolitan Club) is the breathtaking site of the gallery. Its distinctive architecture combines Ottoman and Florentine styles, both of which are now gloriously evident thanks to a careful restoration process. The gallery spreads across two stories and boasts sky-high ceilings, an enormous amount of natural light and a lush garden.
MAS is the brainchild of Aïshti’s owner and CEO Tony Salamé, who founded the gallery after decades of collecting contemporary art pieces by emerging artists. His aim was (and still is) to introduce contemporary art to as wide an audience as possible. With MAS, he is placing international art squarely within Lebanese culture and making important and varied works of art accessible to Lebanese collectors.
