Rewarding excellence and transmission
Forêt Modèle de Provence and Villa Noailles selected 28 finalists for the cork oak art and design competition to present their creations.
REWARDING EXCELLENCE This is an unmissable event for the promotion of the Var cork industry. For its 8th edition, the Quercus Suber Art and Design competition confirms its appeal with the announcement of the candidates selected for the final phase. Organized by the association Forêt Modèle de Provence in partnership with Villa Noailles, an art center of national interest, the event highlights the sculptural and aesthetic properties of cork from the massif des Maures.
DEMANDING SELECTION This year, the jury selected 28 finalists across two categories, reflecting the vitality of contemporary creation. The "Design" category has 13 candidates, while the "Woodturning" category features 15. The list reveals a strong mobilization of major design schools.
It includes students and graduates from École Boulle, École Camondo Méditerranée, ENSCI Les Ateliers, and the Escoulen woodturning school. Independent professionals and workshops, such as Atelier Sous les bois, complete this panel of talents who will sublimate this noble material.
The finalist works are exhibited during the "Journées du Liège" at Villa Noailles. This event will run alongside the Fête de la Pivoine, offering visitors a double immersion into local natural and artistic heritage. The award ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 4 p.m.
The exhibition of winners and participants in the Design category will benefit from extended visibility. Indeed, their work will be presented during the famous Design Parade from June 27 to September 6, punctuated by "Jeudis du liège", a summer cycle of conferences and demonstrations.
To encourage creation, financial endowments will reward the best projects: €1,000 for the first prizes in each category, followed by €500 and €150 for second and third places. A "Prix du public" of €300 will also be awarded. For this 2026 edition, this prize pays a heartfelt tribute to Charles Dutelle, an eminent cabinetmaker who passed away in October 2024.
A new feature is introduced with a "Prix d'encouragement Villa Noailles" for the Design category. The initiative is supported by the Région Sud, the Département, and the Escoulen school, confirming the union of institutional and artistic players around this emblematic resource of Provence.