Embellishing and safeguarding our artistic heritage...
It's on the initiative of Sr. Graciela Marcón (Argentina) that, every year at the end of summer, the sculptures and paintings at Notre Dame du Refuge and Saint Bernard's Monastery are the focus of attention.
And so, since 2018, a team of restorers has been working to restore and conserve the artistic heritage of the sites, under the supervision of Nora Palmiero Martinez (Argentinian/Catalan, curator and heritage restorer specializing in painting).
Meet our team of restorers without borders...
Restorations over the years...
In 2018, Nora, Andrea, Carlotta, Imma, Laura, Natalia, Sara and Sr. Graciela initiated the conservation work, in particular by restoring
- the Christ sculpture (wire, burlap and plaster), located between the Bernardines Chapter House and Saint Bernard's inner garden.
In 2019, from August 26 to September 8, Nora, Cristina, Imma, Jennifer, Joan, Laura, Mónica, Natallia, Sara and Sr. Graciela worked on the restoration of:
- the sculpture of Lying Christ (polychrome plaster and wood), situated in the chapel of straw of the Saint Bernard Monastery,
- the sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Virgin Mary (iron), situated in the compound of the educational institutions Stella Maris,
- the sculpture of Our Lady of Lourdes (iron), situated in the inner gardens of Notre Dame du Refuge.
In 2021, from August 3 to 10, Nora, Carlotta, Jennifer, Joan, Natallia and Sr. Graciela worked on the restoration of:
- the sculpture of the Pieta (polychrome terracotta), situated in the inner gardens of the Saint Bernard Monastery,
- the sculptures of the Virgin and the Christ (polychrome wood), situated in the Oratory of Notre Dame du Refuge.
In 2022, from August 1 to 15, Nora, Adrían, Aimée, Imma, Jennifer, Joan, Marcela, Mariona, Natallia and Sr. Graciela worked on the restoration of:
- the tomb of Father Cestac (restoration of inscriptions in gold leaf), located in the Garden of Notre Dame du Refuge,
- the sculpture of St. Francis of Paola (polychrome plaster), located in Saint Bernard,
- the sculpture of the Virgin (polychrome plaster), located in Saint Bernard,
- the little Virgin (polychrome wood), located in the oratory of the Mariama retirement home,
- a small vase (painted ceramic), discovered in the cupboards of the Refuge by Nora.
In 2023, from July 29 to August 12, Nora, Adrián, Jenifer, Joan, Manuela, Mariona, Marcela, Natalia, Simona, Sofía and Sr Graciela worked on the restoration of:
- the 3 sculptures on the tomb of Father Cestac (plaster), located in the inner gardens of Notre Dame du Refuge: the sculpture of the Sacred Heart, the sculpture of the Virgin and Child and the sculpture of Saint Joseph,
- the 2 sculptures of Angels (wood), located in the Chapel of Notre Dame du Refuge,
- the sculpture of Saint Joseph (iron - stone pedestal), located in the interior gardens of Notre Dame du Refuge,
- the sculpture of Marie-Madeleine (plaster),
- the portrait of Mother Isabelle, Superior General - 1868, by M. Garay (oil painting on canvas),
- the portrait of Sr. Gracieuse Bodin (oil painting on canvas),
- the portrait of Father Cestac - 1868, by Feuillet (gold leaf frame, oil painting on canvas),
- the painting "The Descent from the Cross" (gold leaf frame, oil painting on canvas),
- a sculpture of Christ (marble), for which Joan Vissi García specially carved a cross (wood),
- the sculpture of the Sacred Heart (plaster), located inside the reception area of the Saint Bernard Monastery.
Under the watchful eye of a renowned visitor!
Kepa Akixo, aka Zigor, an internationally renowned Basque artist, photographer, poet, draughtsman and sculptor, came to visit the restoration team. In "Workshop life in black and white", he takes us behind the scenes of the workshop through his eyes of artist...