With an aim to presenting regional art, the Pully fine arts museum could easily have fallen into the trap of parochialism. Instead, it has become an exciting showcase for the vibrant local art scene.
Since taking over the reins of a small municipal museum in 2008, a young team led by the charismatic Delphine Rivier has put Pully, a town that touches the bigger Lausanne, on the international art map with artists who live or work in Switzerland. And there are some fine discoveries to be made.
With a programme that alternates between established and up-and-coming artists, between classical and cutting edge, the Musée d’Art de Pully has gained a reputation for excellence and daring.
Contemporary Swiss artists who have a following beyond Switzerland, like Emmanuelle Antille, Robert Ireland, Sophie Auslander Bouvier, Carmen Perrin and Mingjun Luo have been given carte blanche to transform the luminous space to their liking. An exhibition of the works of Zao Wou-ki, who lived locally towards the end of his life, travelled under the Pully umbrella to China in 2016.
It helps that the museum in housed in a charming old townhouse that looks out over Lake Geneva. Guided visits, free brunches, workshops for children and conferences draws new audiences to the inspiring programme.
Within walking distance of Lausanne, and easily reached by public transportation, Pully also houses la Villa Romain (Roman villa), an archaeological treasure run by the same museum team.