Maryan Talbot Roberts

FOR years people knew Maryan Talbot Roberts as a flamboyant and enthusiastic supporter of the arts in the Island.

It was only following her death last year, however, that the full extent of her international career of promoting major arts events became known to a wider circle.

Before coming to live in the Island in the 1970s, she followed that career in America, Canada and Europe.

Born in the UK, she was educated there before moving with her parents to Canada, where she gained first-class honours in modern languages and literature at the University of Toronto.

Maryan had varied roles, including one as artistic director of the Vancouver International Festival, one as public relations and promotions director for the San Francisco Opera and one as administrator for the Cannes and Venice advertising film festivals.

As a public relations consultant in London, her clients included the Royal Opera House and Sotheby’s, as well as a number of artists and authors.

Using her linguistic skills, she worked as manager for the American and Canadian tours of the Red Army Chorus, La Comédie Française and the Peking Opera. She was also an official delegate at film festivals at an international level.

On her arrival in the Island – which was her grandmother’s home – she was invited to serve on the Jersey Arts Council and then on the Arts Centre management committee.

Maryan was also a member of Les Amitiés Franco-Britanniques de Jersey and during the 1970s was the driving force behind the Jersey Film Society, eventually becoming president.

A founder-member of the Jersey Arts Trust, she also helped to set up the Festival France-Jersey. She was also a founder-member of the Jersey Arts Trust and served under the chairmanship of Sir Peter Crill.

In 1993 she was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for her services to French literature and language.

Known for her ability to bring together people who could develop a project to a successful conclusion, she also involved herself fully in Island life. Much loved by her large circle of friends, she has been greatly missed by them and by the many people with whom her love of the arts and of languages brought her into contact.