An excellent vintage for the 74th Salon de l’Académie du Var
On May 5, the 74th Salon de l’Académie du Var opened at Château Forbin, with Académie du Var president Antoine Carvalho in attendance.
After the welcoming words from André Garron, mayor of Solliès-Pont, accompanied by his new deputy for culture Stéphanie Bovero and the president of the Académie du Var, it was up to the new curator of Beaux-Arts Jean-Pierre Dubois, who is in charge of the Salon, to take the floor and explain the novelties of this 74th edition. In front of numerous members of the Académie and all the exhibiting artists, he notably presented the two guests of honour, this year Muriel Marhic, creator of beautiful watercolours whose delicate pigments he had admired during an exhibition of the artist in 2023, and Joël Arfi, whose poetic universe had captivated him when he discovered it, and whose sculptures, in his own words, "question and astonish". He also indicated that the Salon wanted to pay tribute to his late colleague Robert Agussan, a recently deceased associate member of the Académie, a talented engraver who had participated in every Salon since 2012.
A very large crowd (a record turnout since the Salon has been held in Solliès-Pont) was able to discover in the beautiful Baboulène and Vérane rooms of the Château Forbin the 130 works of the 13 artists of the Académie participating in this year's Salon as well as the works of the 2026 guests of honour. Jean-Pierre Dubois recalled that the Salon had expanded this year with a new addition: a round table on "Current art and its evolution". This round table, held in the amphitheatre of the nearby René Char media library, allowed the public and artists to exchange with the four moderators in charge of leading the discussions, Académie painters Christian Baud and Henry Yerru, the great specialist in contemporary art Jean Perreau, and the philosopher Philippe Granarolo.
The experience was a great success and will be repeated in the future. Finally, Jean-Pierre Dubois paid tribute to the Curator of Beaux-Arts whom he succeeded, Michel Heger, whose support was invaluable to him.
The mayor of Solliès-Pont declared his intention to continue hosting the prestigious annual Salon de l’Académie du Var in the years to come, an announcement that naturally delighted the president and members of the Académie du Var, who appreciate this venue as well as the warm welcome and flawless cooperation of the Château's staff.
Photos by Philippe OLIVIER.