History

1999

The Dom Robert Association is governed under the French law of 1901. It was founded in 1999 by close friends of the artist, with support from the monastic community of the Abbey of En Calcat.

The aims of the association are clearly stated in its statutes: learning about the oeuvre of Dom Robert as well as showcasing it to the widest audience possible, including the drawing up of a catalog raisonné. From the outset of the project to create a Dom Robert museum, the association backed and promoted the idea. Alain Catalo became the association's first president.

2001-2003: the exhibition at the French Senate Orangery in Paris

2004-2006 – Michel Carceller succeeded Alain Catalo as President of the association. Mr. Catalo remained committed as Honorary President.

In 2005, thanks to a grant from the Abbey of En Calcat, the association created the post of director to head up its activities. Sophie Guérin Gasc was appointed in that role. A heritage architect with a Ph.D. in art history, she was given the responsibility of carrying out research on the art collections, creating a database, transferring the archives of the Goubely Workshop to Dourgne, all in addition to giving conferences, overseeing exhibitions, publishing (including The Association Newsletter), and setting up of the website.  

The Project to create the Dom Robert Museum: members of the governing board of the Dom Robert Association joined the scientific committee overseeing the project to create a place for the Dom Robert collection, first referred to as the “Espace Dom Robert.” Sophie Guérin Gasc was charged with drawing up the scientific and cultural aspects of the project. 

2007 : Celebrating Dom Robert's Birth Centennial

The celebration was ranked among the French “2007 National Celebrations”. It was marked by two exhibitions, one which took place in the Abbey-school of Sorèze (Tarn, France), and was organized by the Dom Robert Association, and another in Aubusson at the Museum of Tapestry.

2008-2014 : Choosing to locate the Dom Robert Museum in the Abbaye-école in Sorèze and deciding on the definitive name: Musée Dom Robert et de la tapisserie du XXème s (Museum of Dom Robert and 20th c tapestries).

Drawing up of the scientific and cultural project as well as the inventory of the collections.

At the same time, prefiguring the museum, four thematic exhibitions took place at the Abbey-school of Sorèze: 2010 Jardin de sirens (Mermaid Garden), 2011 Plein champ (Open Field), 2012 Ombelles et papillons (Umbells and Butterflies), 2013 Chevaux (Horses).

Expositions housed elsewhere

- 2009: State of Mecklenburg, Germany, Château de Marihn
- 2010: County of Monestiés (Tarn, France), Musée Bajen-Vega
- 2011: City of Toulouse, France, Printemps de septembre (Spring in September, Contemporary Art Festival)
- 2012: Tarn County, France, Château de Lacaze
- 2013: Town of Beauvais in the county of Oise, France, in the National Gallery of Tapestry (Galerie nationale de la tapisserie)

2013 : Claudie Bonnet became the President of the Dom Robert Association, following the unexpected death of Michel Carceller,

2015 : Opening of the Museum of Dom Robert and 20th century tapestries, in Sorèze (Tarn)

Sophie Guérin Gasc was appointed head of the collections, in collaboration with the Tarn County Conservation of Museums under the direction of Brigitte Benneteu.

2018-2020 : Laying out and  building the Dom Robert Trail

This trail, located in the French townships of Dourgne and Massaguel, runs a 13km loop and is enhanced with educational panels. It was designed and opened in collaboration with the towns of Dourgne and Massaguel as well as with Patrick Urbano, Director of the Environment in Tarn County.