The fonds documents the arts and crafts in Montreal and elsewhere between the late 1940s and the 1980s. The fonds covers the evolution of Lucien Desmarais' career from its beginnings at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts until his death in 1988, including his activities in theatre and his travels. The fonds also reveals his diverse interests in theatre, entertainment, and general culture. The fonds is based on the professional activities of Lucien Desmarais, tisserand concepteur (weaver-designer) and gives information on his creations for high fashion and interior decoration and the annual exhibitions in which he participated. The fonds also gives information on his involvement in numerous associations and cultural organizations as founder, director, and jury member. The fonds gives information on his teaching activities and the courses he gave at various colleges, as well as his speeches.
The fonds includes correspondence, textile samples, course notes, theatre programs, posters, invitations to openings and exhibits, photographs, clippings, drawings, albums, and a scrapbook of clippings of fashion photographs with swatches of the fabrics used in the garments shown. It includes a major collection of documents on the history of textiles and the artists and craftspersons who made them.
The fonds is organized into the following series:
P063/A Biography
P063/B Education
P063/C Administration
P063/D Financial records
P063/E Theatrical properties man
P063/F Weaver-designer
P063/G Consultant
P063/H Teaching and speeches
P063/I External relations
P063/J Travels
P063/K Awards and honours
P063/L Writings and publications
P063/M Research documents
P063/N Shows
P063/O Graphic materials