It was a "miracle" the entire collection of French post-impressionist artist Leo Michelson came to rest in the heart of Marshall 20 years ago, said Joy Jones.

Ms. Jones was one of the many who helped found The Michelson Museum of Art and still stand by it today as its collection has almost grown out of the space it occupies in the first floor of the old Southwestern Bell building.

"It was simply a miracle that the collection ended up here. Kind of like a fairy-tale," she said, reminiscing about the odd story which ended up in the creation of the museum.

A renowned model who grew up in Marshall but moved to France and married Emory Reves was the first Marshallite to make acquaintances with Leo Michelson and his wife Janine.

Her name was Wendi Reves, and she was an avid art collector herself. She met the Michelsons when her husband commissioned portraits from the artist.