The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Association in Roussillon held its annual general meeting on Friday, 24th March 2023 in the Cultural Centre of Port-Vendres in the presence of the Mayor, Gregory Marty.
On behalf of the Conseil d’Administration, the President, Madame Michèle Grau, thanked all those who had supported the association during the year 2022.
She then mentioned the fact that the year 2022 had seen many changes in the life of the association with reduced opening periods for two out of three centres and an upturn in activity in the second half of the year. This was due to changes withn the centres themselves.
In Port-Vendres. At the beginning of 2022, the board agreed to the Town Hall’s proposal of moving the Mackintosh Centre to the Place Castellane.
The decision was made to focus on the watercolours that Mackintosh painted in the Pyrenees Orientales between 1923 and 1927. Two interactive computer terminals have been installed. These can accommodate photos and videos in a totally flexible way.
In Palalda. The centre, after more than a year of closure, reopened its doors on 21st September. It has been completely refurbished and continues to be part of the El Casal museum centre, which has also been renovated.
The paths
Palalda: with the help of the technical services of the Amélie town hall, the four old signs have been replaced and reinstalled in the same place.
Refection of the bronze in March by a sculptor: Florence Gros
The bronze of C R Mackintosh on the corner of quai Forgas and rue Jules Ferry (which was tarnished and stained by the building’s renovation) has been given a new look thanks to the good care of a sculptor who works with bronze.
Memberships
Despite reduced activity due to the partial closure of two of its centres, the association registered about ten additional memberships for 2023
Strengthened partnerships
In addition to the partnerships that continue to exist with the associations of Port-Vendres (such as Evasion Catalane and Vermeille Internationale and the media library) the association began a new partnership with the Collioure Museum in 2022.
A visit to Glasgow by the secretary and the webmaster reinforced the links with the
CRM Society. A warm welcome was extended to them and plans for a visit to Roussillon in September 2023 were initiated.
Extensive cultural programme
The Mackintosh anniversary at the Musée d’Art Moderne in Collioure on 4th July: the Babel des Arts exhibition at the Collioure Museum (with commentary by Claire Muchir) gave us the opportunity to see two original watercolours by CRM.
A walking tour around Art-Deco houses in Perpignan on July 7th: an excellent talk given by Laetitia Deloustal, a highly competent and passionate speaker.
The Inauguration of the Mackintosh Centre in Port-Vendres took place on September 2nd. The evening began with a conference at the cultural centre “Mackintosh in Port-Vendres, when art meets history”. This conference was followed by a visit of the new premises and a cocktail offered by the municipality.
An educational workshop on stained glass on Sunday afternoon, 18th September – Heritage Day. This was an opportunity for two members of the association, Jacqueline and Bruno Tosi (masters of stained glass in Céret) to demonstrate their talent during an open-air workshop.
A Festive Christmas afternoon in the centre of Port-Vendres. On the afternoon of 16th December, the centre opened its doors to the public for a visit, Christmas shopping but also for two mini-conferences by Jacques Raupp on three watercolours whose landscapes cannot be identified.
Forum of associations and heritage days
As every year, the association took part in the forum of associations at the Place de l’Obélisque: the members of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh association took turns all morning to answer questions.
The new Charles Rennie Mackintosh Interpretation Centre on Place Castellane (Port-Vendres) opened its doors on the afternoons of Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September 2022 as part of the Heritage Days.
Social media
The website has become a reference point for information about the association. The blog articles are interspersed amongst the news. They are all translated into English by a British volunteer. The Facebook page also echoes the life of the association. The Instagram account has 25 publications and 598 followers.
Financial Report.
After the activity report, the 2022 accounts were discussed. These were unanimously approved by vote (by those present, by internet and by post).
Proposed activities for 2023
These include:
Inauguration of the renovated Centre of Amélie-les-Bains – Palalda
Conference on Arts & Crafts by Isabelle Cases: 21st April.
Conference on stained glass by Jacqueline and Bruno Tosi: 12th May.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s birthday and guided tour of the summer exhibition at the Musée d’Art Moderne in Collioure.
Forum of associations and heritage days.
Christmas in the Port-Vendres Centre.
Temporary mini-exhibitions in the Port-Vendres Centre.
Celebration of the centenary of the arrival of the Mackintoshes in Roussillon.
The Conseil d’Administration also unanimously renewed the outgoing third of its members and is delighted to welcome a new member.
Following the meeting everyone was invited to share a snack and have a glass of wine.
Please do not hesitate in contacting the association and taking part in showing off the heritage of Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.