Nestled in the heart of Haute Provence, just five minutes from Digne les Bains, Is the small village of Champtercier, where the ancestral craftsmanship of the Santons of Provence comes to life thanks to talent of Patrick Volpes, master santon maker. Originally from Marseille, Patrick discovered his artistic vocation as a teenager, a passion which led him to become an emblematic figure of the region.
A vocation born from clay
" I started to discovering clay at the age of 17. Before I made models of dollhouses with cardboard, paper and recycled materials. And I had done my grandparents' entire house. » says Patrick with a spark of nostalgia in the eyes. It is from this experience that he shaped his first figurine in 1976, a small figurine which would mark the beginning of a exceptional career.
The family tradition of santons
Patrick's passion pour les santons has its roots in a deeply rooted family tradition. “In my family, we had a nativity scene every year, my parents had bought their figurines, my grandparents too and I said to myself, what if I made my own nativity scene since I had discovered this pleasure of touching the earth. » This passion led him to create a crèche which earned him first prize in a family competition, a decisive turning point that pushed him to fully embrace this art.
A workshop in the heart of Champtercier
Installed in the old school in the village of Champtercier, Patrick Volpes transformed this space into a workshop where each figurine is designed with precision and rare devotion. “The Santon de Provence already begins with a creation made by hand in a block of earth. This is where the santon maker will put all his art, all his creation, his emotion and also from his historical research to create and model the character. » he explains, proudly showing off his dental tools that he uses for finer details.
A plural art
According to Patrick, the art of santon is a fusion of three professions : historian, sculptor and painter.
“Without a story, we cannot make figurines. You need to know the history of Provence, its professions, its costumes, its gastronomy... all this is important to be able to create your future figurines. »
This historical depth is reflected in each figurine, making homage to Provençal culture through meticulous and authentic representations.
Illustrious people and traditions
Patrick does not just create traditional figurines, it also celebrates illustrious figures of the territory. Among his works, we find figurines bearing the effigy of Pierre Gassendi, famous astronomer and philosopher born in Champtercier, as well as the shepherd of ammonites, created to celebrate the relabelling of the Geopark of Haute Provence by UNESCO of which he is " geopartner ».
" I realized a figurine bearing the image of Alexandra David Neel, famous explorer of the 50th century who lived in Digne-les-Bains, on the occasion of the XNUMXth anniversary of her death. I also realized the station master of the Pignes train, train which connects Digne to Nice, for the 100th anniversary of Pignes train"
A work of patience and precision
The process of making a figurine is a true art of patience and precision. “Once the original mold has been created, the first step is to place my piece of clay in the mold, I close the mold and press, this is called stamping. Then I remove the excess soil and I put my stamp, my signature, on the base. I then start cleaning the part with a nail file to remove the burrs, we call this deburring in our jargon.
Then, thee santon dries in the open air for 10 days. It will then be baked in the oven for 12 hours at 1000 degrees. Next comes the painting stage. Each piece is painted and decorated by hand with acrylic paints. I pay particular attention to the eyes because the first thing people look at is their gaze. So I am very demanding on this point,” confides Patrick, revealing the meticulous attention he pays to every detail.
Transmission of know-how
In addition to his creations, Patrick animates clay modeling workshops open to all, thus sharing its know-how with the public. “For more than 15 years, I have been offering modeling workshops to all audiences. Not necessarily the creation of figurines but all kinds of creations. Visitors are very enthusiastic and greatly appreciate this activity. » These workshops allow visitors to immerse themselves in the art of clay modeling, discovering the richness of this Provençal tradition.
The Champtercier Santon Fair
The Champtercier Santon Fair, organized by the association Champterroir, is held every year in the month of November. This is an unmissable event for lovers of figurines and crafts. " We are around twenty santonniers to find ourselves there but I am the only one practicing in the Dignois basin” explains Patrick. This fair, which is held for more than 40 years, attracts many visitors who come to meet the artisans and complete their collection of Provençal figurines.
An ambassador of Provençal culture
Patrick Volpes is much more than a craftsman: he is a true ambassador of Provence, embodying the richness and diversity of its cultural heritage. Through his figurines, he transmits the history and traditions of the region, while inviting visitors to discover the beauty and authenticity of Provençal craftsmanship. A visit to his workshop is an encounter with the soul of Provence, a journey through time and art, guided by the passion and talent of a master santon maker.
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