Serving our artistic heritage...
Although they hail from Barcelona, these restorers without borders come from the 4 corners of the globe: Spain, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Panama and even Belarus! Some of them, seduced by this great project and the very special atmosphere of the site, return each year to contribute their talents to embellishing the artistic heritage of Notre Dame du Refuge and the Saint Bernard monastery, so that it can be enjoyed by all for many years to come. Many thanks to each and every one of them for their time and passion...
Discover their achievements over the years...
The heritage conservator and restorer, painting specialist, Nora Palmiero Martinez, leads the team of conservators. During the year, Nora teaches at the ECORE school in Barcelona (conservation and restoration of furniture, art and heritage), a course that takes place over 4 years (paintings, murals, metal, painting techniques), and is punctuated by workshop sessions, as at Notre Dame du Refuge in Anglet, where she comes to work every summer with her team of interns.
Nora Palmiero Martinez, Argentina/Catalan
"I met Sr. Graciela in 2008, when she was taking my classes in Barcelona. Like her, I am from Argentina, but I have been living in Catalonia for over 40 years. A real friendly bond was established between us and, at her invitation, I came to spend my summer vacations with my family at the Monastery of Saint Bernard in Anglet. This is how I discovered the Congregation of the Servants of Mary and, during my stays, a kind of spiritual relationship was created with the Sisters, but also with this unusual place; and, together, we decided to organize the conservation of the sculptures of the sites of Notre Dame du Refuge and the Monastery of Saint Bernard.
Thus, in the summer of 2018, the first on-site workshop was organized. Since then, every summer, I come to spend a few days in Anglet with a team of trainees, to work on the restoration of sculptures and other objects to be preserved. With Sr. Graciela, we decide on the works to be saved, then we work together in a dedicated room in the heart of the Gardens of Notre Dame du Refuge.
We are housed on site, which allows us to share a little of the life of the Servants of Mary, to live at their pace, especially during meals, served on French time, which, for us, used to living on Spanish time, is always a little strange! Especially dinner, served at 7pm, when the light is beautiful and the temperature milder!!!
Each intervention is a new adventure, a real time of sharing and a true enchantment, in this energetic site so favorable to creation. I am very happy to benefit from such a privilege and to be able, each summer, to live such a human and spiritual experience, and to participate in the safeguarding of the heritage of the Servants of Mary."
Adrián Jimenez Morello, Catalan (Anglet, 2023 and 2022)
"Anglet is for me a place of teamwork. Sharing and confronting the knowledge and experiences of each colleague, always under the watchful eye of Nora, is very enriching. All of this in a fascinating environment that nurtures creativity. Once again this year, it has been a pleasure to contribute my grain of sand to this great project. Thanks to Nora and Graciela, to all my colleagues and, especially, to each and every one of the sisters who have so generously welcomed and cared for us in the Congregation of the Servants of Mary."
"I'm glad to have met you all and to have worked together."
Andrea Conejo Sevilla, Catalan (Anglet, 2018)
Carlotta Mosegui, Catalan (Anglet, 2018)
Cristina Gallego Galán, Catalan (Anglet, 2019)
Immaculada Badosa Girones, Catalan (Anglet, 2022, 2019 and 2018)
"The experience of working at Notre Dame du Refuge and at the Convent of the Bernardines in Anglet, has given me the opportunity to develop my knowledge of conservation and restoration, in a professional manner. The atmosphere of retreat and silence contributes to enhance inner peace and calm, helping me to activate my creative potential so, from the first day, it has become for me a favorite place to go."
Jennifer Alamo Boix, Catalan (Anglet, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019)
Joan Vissi García, Catalan (Anglet, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019)
"I have been lucky enough to have been able to attend the Restoration stage in Anglet since 2019 and it has always been a very special place. An oasis where I can give something I am passionate about and at the same time receive something much more valuable and less material. For me, group work also has a much stronger meaning in this place."
I'll have particularly fond memories of my stay in 2023. All the Sisters, older and younger, have taken a special interest in some of the pieces we have worked on. I suppose because of the extra meaning they have for them. They have asked us questions and visited us throughout the process with even more interest than on other occasions. This has reminded us of the responsibility we have with our work, but, even more important: the responsibility we have, not only with the object, but also with other people."
Laura Lara Blanco, Catalan (Anglet, 2019 and 2018)
Manuela Delgado, Spanish (Anglet, 2023)
"This year I have had the privilege of being chosen to collaborate in the restoration of works of art in Anglet.
I have no words to explain what it has meant to me, the companionship, the work, the beauty of the works we have restored and above all, the wonderful treatment received by the Servants of Mary, their warmth and concern for our wellbeing, making us feel at home at all times.
My special thanks to Nora, for giving me the opportunity to go and learn and to Graciela, for her affection and example at all times. Thank you for everything and I hope we can repeat and a big hug to all of us who shared some incredible days!"
Marcela Amorim Arone, Brazilian (Anglet, 2023 and 2022)
"I would like to thank Graciela and Nora for the opportunity they have given me to contribute one more year to the restoration of the works of the Congregation of the Servants of Mary. I would like to thank all the inspiring team of which I am a part for learning and exchanging experiences. To all the Sisters of the community, always welcoming and dedicated: muito obrigada!!!"
Mariona Biosca Reig, Catalan (Anglet, 2023 and 2022)
"Like last year, we came to Anglet to restore a few pieces of Notre Dame du Refuge. We come back every year because we enjoy it so much. The atmosphere of peace, tranquility and warm welcome that the Community gives us is truly magnificent. And the interest shown by everyone in the evolution of the pieces is very gratifying. On the other hand, sharing intense days of work and living together with our colleagues is a very interesting experience that allows us to discover them and create personal bonds. It is a very satisfying experience :)) Special thanks to Graciela and Nora."
Mónica Millán Serra, Catalan (Anglet, 2019)
Natalia Hukava, Belarusian (Anglet, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2018)
"Coming to Anglet is a unique and wonderful experience. It is a pleasure to be part of Nora's team and to share the knowledge and special moments with the companions. I wanted to thank Graciela and the whole Congregation for giving us this opportunity and for the warm welcome we always receive."
Sara Corredera Barbado, Vallisoletan (Anglet, 2019 and 2018)
Simona Alfano, Italian (Anglet, 2023)
"I have had the opportunity to help in the restoration of some of the works in the convent. It has been a very enriching experience in a unique environment, a bubble of peace, serenity and silence that invites introspection where I have had only one responsibility; to help preserve the artistic heritage of the place so that it can be enjoyed for a long time to come. I am very grateful to my teacher Nora Palmiero, to Graciela and to all the nuns who have cared for and welcomed the group of restorers with love, kindness and sympathy."
Sofía Galvez, Argentina - Salta province (Anglet, 2023)
"It was wonderful to spend a week volunteering at the Mother House of Notre Dame du Refuge. Besides having been doing what I love, the place and the sisters made the experience unforgettable. In this place one breathes peace and joy, the spirit of social and educational mission that the sisters develop together with associations and foundations is wonderful, and the desire to follow their example is contagious. Many thanks to all of them for accommodating us, spoiling us and spreading their joy."
The watchful eye of a renowned visitor!
Kepa Akixo, aka ZIGOR, an internationally renowned Basque artist, photographer, poet, draughtsman and sculptor, came to visit the restoration team. With "Workshop life in black and white", he takes us behind the scenes of the workshop through his eyes of artist...
