The Mont-de-Marsan Sculptures cultural event is making its comeback on Saturday, October 4, after being dormant since 2019. The 12th edition of this celebrated festival will focus on the work of Robert Wlérick, a local sculptor, as organizers adapt to new challenges and leverage ongoing museum renovation projects.
The city of Mont-de-Marsan, which houses one of the most significant collections of figurative sculptures, particularly from the first half of the 20th century, had to adopt a new approach and demonstrate realism in organizing this year's event. Director Mathilde Lecuyer-Maillé, who arrived in July 2020, explained that the aftermath of the COVID crisis and the new museum project created too much work for the dozen employees at the Despiau-Wlérick Museum to manage the triennial cultural event in 2022.
The museum faces significant challenges as it operates within the tumultuous context of relocating due to the closure and construction work near the Lacataye keep. This relocation is part of a controversial municipal project for a new building that has faced opposition from political groups. Despite these obstacles, organizers found a way to revive this well-established and successful event, which attracted 48,000 visitors to the Landes prefecture turned open-air gallery in 2019.
The museum team developed a "different version" of Mont-de-Marsan Sculptures using immediately available and sometimes previously unseen material: works and sketches by Mont-de-Marsan native Robert Wlérick. Born on April 13, 1882, on the street now named after him near the Church of La Madeleine, Wlérick died on March 7, 1944, in Paris. This focus on Wlérick serves a dual purpose, supporting ongoing work for the future museum's exhibition path while showcasing local artistic heritage.
"Our collection of drawings, sculptures, and documents to showcase is very rich," explained Karine Beaudet, head of public programs, and Christophe Richard, chief curator of the museum. This abundance of material led to the event's subtitle: "2025, Year of Wlérick." The choice represents a reliable approach that allows organizers to accomplish multiple objectives simultaneously.
From Saturday, October 4, 2025, through Sunday, November 2, visitors can experience two exhibitions. The first, already in place since June at the Dubalen Museum, is titled "Robert Wlérick: In Search of the Model." The second exhibition is currently being installed in the market halls beneath the theater, featuring "a different, monographic approach to make Mont-de-Marsan Sculptures resonate in the city center." Director Lecuyer-Maillé noted the significance of having 300 square meters of exhibition space in total.
The event includes touching personal details that connect Wlérick to his hometown. As co-curator Christophe Richard pointed out, "the window of Wlérick's first studio, when he was still young and living with his cabinetmaker father, is located on the left side of the first floor of the former bar L'Aficion on Molière Street." This intimate connection between the artist and the city adds emotional depth to the cultural celebration.
The 12th edition of Mont-de-Marsan Sculptures will feature not only the two main exhibitions but also an outdoor trail and various activities throughout the month-long event. This comprehensive approach ensures that the festival maintains its reputation as a significant cultural destination while adapting to current circumstances and celebrating the rich artistic heritage of Robert Wlérick and the region.
