The Jules Desbois Museum has been fortunate in benefiting from the support of the “Friends of Jules Desbois Association” founded in 1979. Here is a brief history of its 30 years involvement….
In 1979, Raymond Huard, professor of sculpture at the School of Fine Arts in Valence and himself a native of Parçay-les-Pins, bought the house in which Jules Desbois was born and he got together with a number of his friends all dedicated to achieve just recognition for the sculptor. Up until 1987, the Association managed to put together an increasingly important collection of sculptures and decorative objects making it possible to open the original museum supported by the municipality and personalities from the museum world such as Anne Pingeot who was then in charge of collections at the Musée D’Orsay. It was sponsored byHubert Landais at that time director of the Museums of France.
Since 1994, the Association has worked closer with the Municipal and General Councils. In 1997, the Municipal council embarked on the creation of a municipal museum, its objective being to perpetuate the work of the Association in continuing to collectDesbois’ work, conserving it and making it accessible to the general public. The project was conducted by the municipality, the conservation department of the museums of Maine et Loire and the Association. The new museum opened its doors in June 2001. As a “Museum of France”, now managed and run by the DAMM, (Direction Associée des Musées Municipaux), the Jules Desbois Museum continues to receive the active support of the Association.
To celebrate the 30 years of the Association, a bronze plaque, recalling the Association’s most important moments, was inaugurated on the 7th November 2009 in the presence of the Mayor and numerous “Friends of Jules Desbois”. After this ceremony, the Annual General Meeting took place during which new committee members were elected. Jean-Noel Marionneau assumed the Presidency of the Association and made clear its future direction:
“With the new team, I want the “Friends of Jules Desbois Association” to continue its enduring support for the museum. We must work together to share this common heritage, to treasure it and to make it known by all possible means. We support initiatives towards the young and their families. In order to ensure the continued existence of the Association, we are looking to expand by attracting new members, especially amongst the young. The aim of the Association must always be to make the fascinating world of art accessible to people of all ages.”
“The Friends of Jules Desbois Association”
1, place Jules-Desbois,
49390 Parçay-les-Pins
amisdejulesdesbois@gmail.com
Photo : The new Committee, from left to right : Bruno Letellier (vice-president), Sylvie Louault-Hubé (deputy treasurer), Jean-Noel Marionneau (president), Yann Gregoire (secretary), Christine Fardeau (deputy secretary), Julie Pyne (treasurer).
