Inside Algarve Magazine – Algarve News

Tag: Algarve Exhibitions

The works of the winners of Portimão’s popular “Photographic Marathon” are on display at the city’s Museum until March 30

The 23rd Portimão Photographic Marathon brought in 157 photography lovers of 10 nationalities

– February 9, 2024 | Text Alexandra Stilwell

Theme: There are still wooden boats

The winning images of the 23rd Portimão Photographic Marathon have been revealed and are on show in the city’s Museum until March 30.

The latest edition of the popular photographic contest was held both “live” and online.

The initiative saw 157 photography lovers of ten nationalities sign up in the two categories, in the Algarve and across the country.

Theme: Work

During the live event, which took place in the Municipality of Portimão on May 20, participants were challenged to creatively capture three images based on eight themes, including cultural and natural heritage, experiences, people, social work and leisure environments.

Parallel to the “live” format, which encourages participants to travel and discover the municipality of Portimão, the organisation also intended to continue to increase online participation.

Theme: Free like the wind

Participants registered in the online category sent in 12 photos based on the special edition “Freedom” theme, with the following four subthemes: Signs of Freedom, Streets of Freedom, Is this Freedom? and Free as the Wind.

In addition to the winning images in each category, the exhibition also includes the Special Jury and the Youth Prizes.

The exhibition can be visited until March 30 at the following times: Tuesday, from 2.30pm to 6pm, and Wednesday to Sunday, between 10am am and 6pm.

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February 9, 2024
Local Artist Meinke Flesseman discusses plans for the future of her art gallery in Portimão

The two-storey building in Portimão showcases not only a “combination of abstract and figurative” works by Meinke, but also aims to feature “workshops, yoga, live model painting, or serving as a creative retreat space”, with temporary collective exhibitions also expected

– January 22, 2024 | Text Beatriz Maio

A year ago, the Dutch artist opened her new art gallery. Since then, the space has grown into so much more.

Dutch artist Meinke Flesseman, who grew up in the Algarve, is celebrating one year since the opening of her art gallery in Portimão.

The special day was marked on December 15, with the gallery’s first collective exhibition, which she says is a starting point for a new facet to the gallery that she wants to explore.

Those who know Meinke, and her work, know she is a woman of many talents, ranging from ceramics to jewellery, including sculpture and decorative objects made in clay or plaster.

After spending her childhood in the Algarve, where she moved to with her parents at the age of two, Meinke returned to the Netherlands at 14. Three years later, she moved to England, where she stayed for only two years.

From age 19 to 21, she went backpacking across Europe. Her adventurous spirit took her to Italy, where she studied jewellery. However, she felt “a limitation in creativity” in this field and decided to take painting classes.

Upon returning to Portugal, she lived a year in Lisbon but eventually returned to the Algarve. She then decided to move in the 1990s to Moscow. Making jewellery in the Russian capital proved challenging due to a limited access to materials, Meinke explained. She then enrolled in the School of Fine Arts in Moscow to learn more about painting.

However, her experience at the school was affected by the collapse of the Soviet Union. While times were tough, her creativity never waned. In fact, Meinke recalled how hunger was prevalent in the country, but there was a spirit of sharing among the population, both in terms of food and ideas.

After returning to Portugal, Meinke started painting professionally at the age of 28 while residing in Lagoa again. She created sketches, drawings, and paintings but did not see art as a full-time job until she sold her first works to a friend in Moscow.

Later, she held her first exhibition at the Cultural Centre of the São José Convent in Lagoa. As she continued her journey, she met artists living in the eastern part of the Algarve, which led her to move to Olhão, where she stayed for a decade. It was a “spontaneous decision”, she explained, as she felt she needed to be surrounded by more artists.

Meinke eventually moved back closer to her family, with plans to buy a house in Portimão with a unique concept in mind. She sought a space where she could both live and showcase her work, having found it, and completely renovated it.

Setting aside her fear of opening her own gallery, Meinke took a risk, resulting in a “super challenging year” of preparation and growth. At first, Meinke wasn’t entirely sure about how the space could be used. “It wasn’t planned,” she revealed, explaining that ideas eventually started to blossom. Now, she wants the building to also host temporary exhibitions, among other events.

The two-storey building, functioning as an art gallery on the ground floor, has two charming apartments on the first floor, rented individually as holiday rentals (Alojamento Local, or AL). Decorated with her paintings and artworks, both aim to convey a sense of well-being and tranquillity.

One apartment has four bedrooms, with a north-facing terrace and a view of the garden, and the other has six, with two suites located on the spacious south-facing terrace. Both have ample common spaces and fully-equipped kitchens.

Throughout her life so far, Meinke took ceramic classes in the centre and south of the country, learning different techniques. She also took sculpture classes in clay in the Algarve. All of these experiences and this knowledge has led her to the style of works she presents at the gallery now: a “combination of abstract and figurative”.

Her mother is also an artist and “a very creative person in the way she approaches life”, she says. When they moved to Portugal during the Estado Novo regime, there was no freedom of expression through the arts, and creativity was limited. Restrictions, however, led Meinke to learn that “when it’s not possible to buy something, you invent, you improvise”.

The inspiration for her works comes from her experiences in her daily life. “I am a sensitive and spontaneous person, reacting to the environment around me,” she noted.

Meinke’s love for animals, nature and simplicity is evident in her paintings. She grew up on a farm surrounded by animals, but goats fascinate her the most, which is why they appear in various paintings and ceramic pieces. As for her landscape paintings, they were “a reaction to the pandemic”, namely how nature served as an escape for many during the spread of Covid-19.

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A post shared by @galeriameinkeflesseman

Despite making great progress in the last year, Meinke says this is just the beginning, with her gallery boasting opportunities for workshops, yoga, live model painting, or serving as a creative retreat space. More temporary collective exhibitions are also expected.

Meinke Flesseman’s gallery is located at number 124 on Rua Infante Dom Henrique – the long street which connects the old bridge between Portimão and Lagoa to the Gil Eanes square.

www.meinke-flesseman.com

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This Saturday, internationally acclaimed textile artist Vanessa Barragão opens her solo exhibition in Lagos

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Sisters Leila and Jasmin Chouikha’s paintings explore creativity in abstract and realistic styles

January 22, 2024
This Saturday, internationally acclaimed textile artist Vanessa Barragão opens her solo exhibition in Lagos

Lagos Cultural Centre will present the solo exhibition “Submerged/Immersed” by the Algarvian Vanessa Barragão

– January 19, 2024

The Algarve-born textile artist Vanessa Barragão has shown her work in Portugal, England, Germany, the United States, Taiwan, Shanghai, and South Korea, garnering international recognition online with 577K followers on Instagram alone.

Her large audience has become familiar with beautifully crafted tapestries, rugs, and wall hangings, which are made from latch hooks, crochets, felts, weavings, and fibre manipulation.

The ‘Submerged’ theme of the exhibition focuses on the underwater world, “which is often ignored yet essential to the food chain and life as we know it on Earth”. It also refers to the internal world of the artist and by extension the viewer. The idea of the artist exploring the uncharted realm of the imagination, a deep dive into the subconscious and the creative process.

By following a methodical approach to production and materials, Vanessa becomes completely absorbed in each project, which is why the title ‘Immersed’ refers not just to the submarine but also to the artistic process, as well as to the intention of the exhibition.

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A post shared by Vanessa Barragão (@vanessabarragao_work)

The artist invites everyone to walk around and to explore the remarkable works at close hand, and to consider life’s relationship with the environment and art’s creative methods.

“I’m interested in creating an inner world, a moment for reflection and calm. Through an exploration of material and space, I want to present a moment in time, abstracted and far removed from the global chaos and confusion,” states Vanessa Barragão.

The exhibition opens this Saturday, January 20th, at 5 pm and will run until March 23rd at the Lagos Cultural Centre, between 10am and 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Entrance is free.

About the artist

Vanessa Barragão was born in Albufeira in 1992 where she spent her early years exploring the abundant coastline of the Algarve, leading to a profound connection to the Ocean.

Barragão achieved a Masters degree in Fashion and Textile Design at Lisbon University, exploring the possibilities of yarn and tapestries with an interest in sustainability and ecology.

In 2016 she relocated to Porto where she honed her artisanal skills working as a designer in a rug factory. She now works out of an impressive studio in her hometown of Albufeira.

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January 19, 2024
Lagos Creative Arts Hub hosting Open Day on January 12 and 13 with a series of activities that will last throughout the night

This two-day event will include concerts, performances, exhibits, and workshops

– January 11, 2024

Photo LAC – Lagos Creative Arts Hub Facebook Page

Lagos’ creative arts hub (Laboratório de Artes Criativas, or LAC), will host an Open Day event on January 12 and 13.

From 6pm onwards on both days, there will be a wide range of performances, exhibitions and workshops taking place, all of which showcase the work of talented artists who have taken up residence at LAC.

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in the former prison of Lagos at Largo do Convento de Nossa Senhora da Glória, LAC is a cultural association that organises artistic residencies, events and workshops. It is part of RPAC, the Portuguese Network of Contemporary Art, and is funded by the Ministry of Culture/DGArtes, the Municipality of Lagos, and CRESC Algarve 2020.

Programme:

12 January, 2024 – Friday

6pm – LAC Open Day 2024 / Opening of the group exhibition PRALAC: A. Pedro Correia, Anne S. Luisenbach, Ester Andrés, MadFildz, Nuno Murta, Paula Gonçalves, Patrícia Leal, Raymond Dumas, Ricardo Cruzes, Ricardo Lopes, RoMP, Rui Vargas, Sofia Fortunato, Xana

7pm – 8pm – Conference and talks with residency artists. Moderated by Sónia Felicidade

7.30pm – 8pm – D. Roberto Theatre “The Barber”, by Mãozorra

7.30pm – 8.30pm – Drawing Workshop with Mara Taquelim

8pm – 10pm – DJ set by JC Music (guest) – Pátio Figueira

8.30pm – 9pm – Performance “Yesterday is not today”, by Patrícia Leal, Beatriz MBCC and Marga Munguambe

8.30pm – 9pm – D. Roberto Theatre “A Tourada”, by Mãozorra – Espaço Teatro

9.15pm – 9.45pm – Show “Outros Mundos”, by TEL – Experimental Theatre of Lagos

Concerts:

9.30pm – M-PeX

10.30pm – STACCATO LIMÃO

11.30pm – THE PSYCHLES

1am – PLASTICINE

2am – DJ Set by Mónica Mendes (M) (guest)

13 January, 2024 – Saturday

6pm – Opening of the PRALAC group exhibition

6pm – 7pm – Drawing Workshop with Mara Taquelim

6.30pm – 8pm – Rock n’ Bingo, with Lollirockers DJ’s (guests)

7.30pm – 8pm – Theatre D. Roberto “The Barber”, by Mãozorra

8pm – 10pm – DJ set by JC Music (guest)

8.30pm – 9pm – Performance “Yesterday is not today”, by Patrícia Leal, Beatriz MBCC and Marga Munguambe

8.30pm – 9pm – D. Roberto Theatre “A Tourada”, by Mãozorra

9.15pm – 9.45pm – Show “Outros Mundos”, by TEL – Experimental Theatre of Lagos

Concerts

9.30pm – PERDANO (guests)

10pm – VIL

11pm – CURSED DISCIPLES

12am – PRAYERS OF SANITY

1am – DRAGON’S KISS (guests)

2am – Dj Set by KUKA (guest)

Follow LAC’s website or Facebook page.

Article originally published on Portugal Resident by Michael Bruxo.

January 11, 2024
Local Artist Tara Bongard is exhibiting her works in Portimão

The ‘Life Lines’ exhibition will be presented until January 2

– December 12, 2023

Artist Tara Bongard

A new exhibition titled ”Life Lines” by local artist Tara Bongard is on display at Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes in Portimão.

The exhibition showcases Tara’s most recent graphite drawings of nature in the Algarve and runs until January 2.

About the artist

Tara Bongard was born in London, England, but her roots are Anglo-Portuguese, having spent childhood between England and Portugal. After finishing her studies in England, she continued her passion for drawing throughout her travels in America, Central America, Turkey and the Middle East. Settling In Israel for 10 years, she apprenticed in woodwork and then glass painting and fusing, returning to live permanently in Portugal in 2005.

Tara says her works are ”deeply inspired by nature”, with pieces which range ”from decorative to functional”.

In solidarity and support to the firefighters of Monchique, who “keep our Algarve hills safe”, 20% of the sales from the exhibition will be reverting to Bombeiros Voluntários de Monchique as ”every little thing counts”, according to the artist.

For more information, contact www.studiobongard.com via +351 924 220 574 / 968362930 or follow on Instagram.

December 12, 2023
Local artists Anke Punt Bach and Rui Botto unveil a collaborative exhibition this December in Lagoa

Lagoa’s library will host a joint exhibition of paintings starting December 11

– December 7, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo

On Monday, December 11 at 5.30pm, Lagoa’s municipal library will inaugurate an exhibition of paintings by local artists Anke Punt Bach and Rui Botto.

The two Lagoa-based artists will be showcasing their creations at the library until January 31, 2024.

About the artists

Anke and Rui met at the Arco Íris stationery store at the Sudoeste Retail Park in Alcantarilha, where Rui works and where Anke led a series of art workshops.

After getting to know one another, the two artists developed a mutual respect for each other’s art.

Anke – a 58-year-old German artist who has lived and exhibited her works all over the world before moving to the Algarve in 2019 – eventually decided to challenge Rui, 55, to join her for a joint exhibition, given that Rui has not exhibited his works for over a decade.

While Anke has made a name for herself in the region for creating beautiful pieces inspired by the Algarvian coastline and using materials she finds during her hikes, Rui has remained a more reclusive artist, painting what he finds interesting and what fulfils him artistically as more of a hobby.

Rui Botto describes his art as “homoerotic”, “inspired by colour” and “figurative”, with his goal being to cause an impact on the viewer.

As his works often feature nude male bodies in suggestive or even sexual positions, Rui is well aware that his works might not be palatable to some. But as he explains clearly, he paints solely for himself, and whether others like his works or not is secondary.

“Whether they love it or hate, the goal is to make the viewer feel something,” Rui told us.

Rui, who has also worked as a professional make-up artist, will be presenting 11 paintings on canvas, while Anke will be exhibiting three paintings from her time in Russia, as well as four series of three paintings each – ‘The Red String’, ‘Serenity’, ‘True Color’ and ‘Connection’ – on wood.

For Anke, this exhibition marks a return to painting on wood after years of using materials like rocks that she has found on local beaches to create her artworks.

The name of the exhibition – ‘The Show Goes On’ – aims to represent the changes that both Anke and Rui are experiencing at this moment in their lives, with Rui exhibiting his works again after so long and Anke taking on new artistic challenges.

Anke also hopes that the exhibition may bring more attention to Rui’s work in the Algarve.

“He’s so talented and has a distinct style. If he lived somewhere like New York or Paris, he might be selling out galleries,” Anke added.

‘The Show Goes On’ can be visited during the library’s opening hours: weekdays (excluding holidays) from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm. Admission is free.

Follow Anke Punt Bach and Rui Botto on Instagram.

December 7, 2023
Porca Preta Gallery in Monchique Presents Nature and Fantasy by Barbara Thomas

The art exhibition starts on April 2

– March 29, 2023

Barbara Thomas, a Swiss painter who has lived in Monchique for several years, will be exhibiting her works of art at the Porca Preta Gallery, in Monchique, this April.

Her love for Portugal is reflected in her various works. Nature, Fantasy and the people of the Alentejo are the source of her inspiration and title of some of her paintings.

The inauguration will take place this April 2, at 3pm, and the exhibition will be open between April 3 and May 14, from Friday to Tuesday between 5pm and 8pm.

Visit Porca Preta Gallery’s Facebook.

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March 29, 2023
Join the discussion: Portimão Museum welcomes four internationally renowned artists for Painting Symposium

Portimão’s Museum welcomes the third International Painting Symposium between March 6 and 11th

– March 6, 2023

The Museum of Portimão welcomes the third edition of the International Painting Symposium, taking place between March 6 and 11 at the auditorium hall, between 9.30am and 6pm.

This year’s edition invites the exploration of the theme “Freedom and Woman”, welcoming four internationally recognised artists from different cultures and religions to create paintings under topics related to refugees, gender violence and sustainability. Aseel Azizieh, from Jordan, Rasha Deeb, from Syria, Toña Gomez, from Spain, and Kinga Subika, from Poland.

Over the course of this six-day event, “an artistic, abstract, and modern exploration of the given themes will be conducted in an open atelier format”. According to the organisers, “this will allow for conversation between the artists and the public, who are encouraged to participate and make the most of the symposium.”

Follow Portimão’s Museum on Facebook for the latest news.

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March 6, 2023
How moving to the Algarve changed Wendy Beugels’ artistic expression

Painting the world

– September 9, 2022

A versatile artist, Wendy Beugels went through an incredible artistic transformation as she settled into Algarvian life. From realistic and expressionistic artworks, using oil and acrylic paint, to colourful and happy watercolours inspired by her surroundings.

Originally from the Netherlands, since childhood Wendy had a passion for drawing and painting. “Art was my favourite class in school,” she says. “I’ve been paid to do commissions since I was 11 years old and I’m still as nervous now as I was then!” She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the Maastricht University, Netherlands, and soon moved to the USA where her career began.

She worked with oil and acrylic paints and made realistic portraits and expressionistic sports art for private and corporate clients. Wendy was based in a military camp, so the community was small and well connected and the word spread as she was inundated with requests.

After her stint in the US, Wendy returned to the Netherlands, where she used her versatility and turned her hand to graphic design for a Dutch newspaper. She created layouts for the lifestyle editions and created marketing tools and digital illustrations.

After this, her journey as an independent artist and graphic designer really developed. She combined the techniques that she had learned from traditional painting with digital skills and developed a new way to make her art with pen and tablet and started to make digital hand-painted portraits.

Four years ago, she embarked on her journey to Portugal. “I got rid of my house and all my belongings, even my car, and came to Portugal with only a few things.” She quickly settled into the relaxed way of life and soon became inspired by everything Portugal has to offer. “I feel that I have everything I need now. My life feels a lot lighter and free and, therefore, my work is becoming more flowy and simplistic.”

This is also when she started to develop “happier colours”, as she explains. “The sky is so blue, and the colours are so different and vibrant in the sunlight. I am from the Netherlands, where everything is grey, so it makes a massive difference to my outlook on life and my art.” The colourful buildings, daily life, street scenes, boats, beach scenes and landscapes are all featured in her recent successful series of Happy Watercolours. “In this new phase of my career and life, the purpose and essence of my paintings is to bring happiness, to give a happy vibe and positive feeling.”

Soon, Wendy will be opening a studio and setting up a base in Armação de Pêra, where people can view and purchase her paintings. Her client base is mostly expats who live in the Algarve, so the location is perfect as it is right in the centre.

Her paintings range from €50 to around €2,000 depending on the complexity of the creation. She currently runs two social media pages dedicated to her work, one for her portraits and digital portraits and one for her watercolours. Wendy started off her career mostly taking commissions, but she is keen to start painting what she wants and going on to make multiple copies of each piece. She can also take requests through her websites, where her pieces can also be purchased.

As Wendy spends more time in the Algarve, she is growing increasingly fond of the place. “I think my style will change again,” she says. In the future, she would like to combine her new colourful and ‘flowy’ style with her old techniques such as using oil and acrylic as well as moving to larger scale paintings. Currently, Wendy’s paintings are more in demand than ever because they are accurate and beautiful interpretations of the many reasons why so many choose to holiday or live in the Algarve.

Visit Wendy Beugels website or follow her on Instagram and Facebook!

Text Alex Brennan

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September 9, 2022
A New collective art project arises in the Algarve: the Artlink Collective

This summer, the Artlink Collective will showcase the artwork of several artists around the Algarve

– August 22, 2022

Some of life’s more interesting journeys seem to take on their own direction without any planned route in mind. This was the case when four artists made contact around nine months ago and both friendships and appreciation of each other’s work developed. Without denying that selling their own work was an objective, it became clear that they also shared a deeper ambition to help showcase the craft of other talented artists across the Algarve. The Covid lockdown period had limited the opportunities to exhibit and the few that did come along tended to be over in the western side of the region.

When one of the artists visited the wonderful Quinta da Tôr winery, above Loulé, the thought occurred that this would be an interesting place to hold an exhibition. A few months later, during the very first restriction-free week in January, the combination of viewing art with wine tasting was set in motion.

People visited, work was sold and the confidence that they had the organisational skills to take the project forward grew in abundance. An understanding of the importance of branding clearly had an impact, along with the intuitive ability to see how artists can work together and they recognised for the need to present a variety of artistic styles. Reputation can be added to the list of factors because due to the winery’s long-standing association with the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura hotel, another exhibition was held there between the two winery events.

Then one day someone asked about what they called themselves and the realization that they needed their own identity came around. ARTLINK Collective was born. To quote their intro/mission statement “We are a visual arts collective living in and around the centre of the Algarve, who showcase our passion and diversity and give exposure to a full spectrum of styles, that includes painting, photography, sculpture, and digital composition.

Our mission is to provide the opportunity to participate in collective or solo exhibitions and events that we organise ourselves, or in collaboration with other established art collectives and art galleries. By encouraging one-on-one engagements with art lovers, collectors, and potential buyers, we aim to provide the context that gives value to each piece of art work. We embrace the advantages of digital technology and use social media as our premier promotional platforms.”

Moving onto the next phase of the journey, ARTLINK has joined forces with one of the Algarve’s most experienced and respected gallery owners and artists. Aderita Silva manages the renowned Artistic Space Gallery in Vale do Lobo and she also shares the same ambition and longer-term mission. The Details Vale d’el Rei Hotel and Villas in Carvoeiro is another exhibition venue under her control and the opportunity to organise, curate and manage a two-month exhibition during July and August has been handed over to the ARTLINK team. The work of fifteen artists will be on display, divided over two periods to ensure variety and that as many artists can be involved as space allows.

Meet the Artists evenings are scheduled, along with the opening vernissage for each month, the details of which can be seen on Instagram (ARTLINK_collective) along with regular posts during the exhibition and information about the principal members.

Follow Artlink Collective on Instagram or visit their website.

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August 22, 2022
Swedish landscape photographer presents his work in Lagoa this February 24

– February 23, 2022

‘Light of the Senses’, a photography exhibition by Ralph Torgardh, will be unveiled on February 24, at 4pm, at the Manuela Vale Gallery of Lagoa’s Mestre Fernando Rodrigues Art School where it will remain on display until April 21.

“Light is very important when photographing, if not the most important (aspect),” says the Swedish photographer, who retired eight years ago and has been living in Portugal with his wife Agneta for six years.

“When you catch the right light, it gives you a feeling, touches your senses. In this exhibition, I’ve chosen to show you the theme in black and white, with the special light. The pictures are relatively dark, perhaps you are not sure what you see, but with the light in the picture, it might open your senses. You decide what you see. It is the ‘light of the senses’,” Torgardh adds.

The exhibition features everything from photos of Lisbon, London, and birdlife, as well as the photographer’s first foray into macro photography.

Ralph Torgardh will also be presenting landscape photography – which he describes as being among his biggest interests – from the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

“I’m very grateful to Escola de Artes for letting me have this exhibition,” says Torgardh, adding that this will be his third exhibition at the school.

“I hope my photos will attract you, giving you a feeling of what I felt photographing them,” he adds.

The exhibition will be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm and 2.30pm and 5pm, from Monday to Friday. Admission is free.

Follow Ralph Torgardh on Facebook, Instagram or his website.

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Canadian Artist exhibits his artwork in Portimão this February 14

6th Algarve International Piano Festival starts on January 29 in Portimão

February 23, 2022
Canadian Artist exhibits his artwork in Portimão this February 14

Marc Thivierge, a Canadian artist, features his abstract paintings at EMARP, Portimão

– February 14, 2022

“High Tide, Low Tide” is a new visual arts exhibition opening on February 14 at the EMARP reception hall in Portimão.

It will be the first time that Canadian visual artist Marc Thivierge will be participating in such an exhibition.

The location is unique because the place serves not only as a service provider for the public, but it is also an ideal space for exhibiting artwork.

Marc Thivierge has been invited to participate in this monthly presentation because of his unique approach to painting.

The exhibition represents the back-and-forth movements of the sea. The impressions and the meditative mood felt by the sea on this abstract artist are on the canvases presented.
Every piece is like a cut in the action of the waves’ relentless movement, sometimes calm, sometimes tumultuous.

Marc Thivierge was born in the 50s in Ottawa, Canada, in a family that loved art. He is retired and spends a good part of the year in the Algarve. “The luminosity here, the colours all around us, the scents and sounds are all elements that make us come back. But it is the people of Portugal that really make the grade with us,” said the artist.

The exhibition runs until March 18 and is open on weekdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Portimão EMARP is located at Rua José António Marques, 17.

Follow Marc’s website: www.marcthivierge.com

Source: Algarve Resident Newspaper

More events:

Lagoa welcomes Shadow Puppet rendition of “The Epic of Gilgamesh” this February

6th Algarve International Piano Festival starts on January 29 in Portimão

Lagoa to welcome final stage of “Volta ao Algarve” in February

February 14, 2022
Local artist Anke Punt Bach Exhibits her Artwork in Lagoa

Local artist Anke Punt Bach unveils ‘The Power of Imagination’ in Lagoa

– January 13, 2022

An exhibition by German artist Anke Punt Bach will be unveiled at 6pm this Thursday (January 13) at the Manuela Vale Gallery of Lagoa’s Mestre Fernando Rodrigues Art School.

The exhibition, entitled ‘O Poder da Imaginação’ (The Power of Imagination), aims to inspire people to see the world around them differently or, in the words of the artist, “to show that creating something can be fun, edifying and take you on a journey to the land of imagination”.

Anke Punt Bach was born in Germany but lives in Carvoeiro, having started painting due to her passion for art, colours and nature.

Anke is inspired by the Algarvian coastline and uses materials she finds during her hikes to create her artworks.

“This is my third exhibition since we moved in 2019 to Carvoeiro, which I now call home. I love nature, teaching, painting and creating beautiful pieces which people can enjoy,” says the artist.

The exhibition will remain on display until February 18. It can be visited for free between Monday and Friday from 9.30am to midday and from 2.30pm to 5pm.
You can follow Anke on Facebook and Instagram (@ankepuntbach).

Source: Algarve Resident Newspaper

January 13, 2022
Local Artists showcased Latest Creations at “The Winter Exhibition”

Local artists showcased latest creations at Armação de Pêra’s Holiday Inn

– December 7, 2021

The Winter Exhibition was organised by Algarve Art, an art collective comprising dozens of local artists, and aimed to provide an opportunity for these artists — all of whom have seen their livelihood seriously impacted by the pandemic — to showcase their creations.

“Not much has been going on for nearly two years, but, in the last six months, things have started to open up and there have been more events taking place,” said Ian Morgan from Algarve Art. These past exhibitions have been a success with high turnouts, which Ian believes may be explained by people appreciating being able to be out of the house again after the Covid-related lockdowns. “It’s great to have people showing up and supporting these artists,” he said.

David Trubshaw

Despite all the inconveniences they caused, Ian explained the lockdowns also provided artists with more time to be creative, resulting in a lot of new works. The exhibition featured the works of Selzer d’Sousa, Frans Bresser, Bob Tidy, Rowan Marques, Lynn Collins Baldock, Mientje de Goeij-de Rooij, Aynur Foring, Samantha Van Der Westhuizen, Kay Maunder, David Trubshaw, Mickey Craig and Figs on the Funcho. Visitors were able to purchase artworks directly from the artists, who displayed a variety of works and styles.

Samantha Van Der Westhuizen

Algarve Art was founded six years ago by Alyson Sheldrake and has been run by Ian and his wife Andrea for the past few months. The group’s goal is to organise art exhibitions, festivals and social gatherings that “provide a platform” for local artists of many different nationalities from across the Algarve. “Our goal is to promote and elevate the level of art and to empower artists to reach a bigger audience,” the couple says.

Bob Tidy

You can visit www.algarve-art.org for more information about the dozens of artists who comprise the group and to stay updated on future events.

December 7, 2021
Portimão outdoor exhibition explores history of arts, crafts and jobs

Saturday (July 24) will mark the opening of a photography exhibition showcasing the “history of the arts, crafts and professions of Portimão” at the town’s riverside square Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes.

The exhibition has been put together by the Grupo de Amigos do Museu de Portimão (Friends of Portimão Museum, or GAMP) with the support of the local council, the parish council and Portimão Museum

It is the fifth outdoor exhibition organised as part of the town’s outdoor exhibition project ‘Passear Pela História’ (A Stroll Through History).

The project was launched in 2017 and aims to surprise pedestrians with large-scale photos depicting “memoral moments of the town’s economic, social and cultural evolution”.

This particular exhibition will explore the traditional jobs held by local people several decades ago, including fishermen, dock workers, van drivers, shipbuilders, naval carpenters, confectioners, typographers, tinsmiths, grocers and blacksmiths.

Also represented will be the local fish canning industry, once one of the main economic activities in Portimão.

Says the local council in a statement to the press: “‘Passear pela História’ exhibitions aim to strengthen the identity of our community by valuing the town and the borough as a cultural and leisure destination, while at the same time providing an informal and laid-back trip down memory lane.”

The exhibition will remain on display at the bustling riverside square until September 19.

Photos: Centro de Documentação e Arquivo Histórico do Museu de Portimão

Source: Portugal Resident

July 22, 2021
Lagoa’s Convent’bio hosts paintings exhibition by Inna Hawker

On February 26, Local artist Inna Hawker inaugurated an exhibition of several paintings at Lagoa’s Convent’bio store.

The exhibition will run until the end of April and will be open for individual viewings only due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An opening ceremony with food and drinks is planned for when the ongoing lockdown is lifted.

Inna is a self-taught artist who was born in Ukraine in 1981 and moved to Portugal over 10 years ago. Her paintings tend to reflect her love of nature and explore the connections between it, the cosmos and the soul.

“I have loved art since I was young and when I later became a school teacher, I found art very helpful in my work with children,” she says.

Over time, she developed a strong feeling that she had to start painting, simply because she had “so much to say to the world”.

“Painting is a wonderful way to express myself. My work is about true love and the energetic connection between man and woman. There is a deep connection between nature, the cosmos and the soul, and they bond together to tell the story about who we are deep inside ourselves.”

Open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 1pm, Convent’Bio is located on the EN125 road in the building of the former Carmo convent in Sítio do Carmo.

March 3, 2021
New faces at Lady in Red gallery

The Lagoa gallery introduces some of its new artists

When you pass the Adega Cooperativa de Lagoa, you could easily not realise that there’s a fascinating art gallery housed inside the working wine co-op. The space is vast, with an industrial-urban vibe that would be more common in a big city than opposite the bus station in Lagoa.

The Lady in Red (LiR) gallery hosts a fabulous range of local, national and international artists, all year round, from large installations as well as smaller, take-home pieces (they can also arrange shipping and delivery). The exhibition centre is perched above the bottling and processing part of the co-op, its runways and corridors giving a bird’s-eye view of the action below, making for a unique ambience. There’s a mixture of sculptures, paintings and ceramics in spacious displays with excellent lighting to show everything at its very best.

The industrial and distressed walls give a dramatic background for the art, with some pieces almost appearing to float in mid-air. This is a venue that is well worth a visit, so allow yourself some time to take it all in, as there’s a lot to see. Entering the main gallery area, there’s a welcoming Lounge Bar area with comfy sofas to relax on, as well as a sunny terrace at the front. As you might have gathered, this is not your usual Lagoa hangout; here you can enjoy Teapigs teas, Caffe Praego or Surf Brewing craft beer — brands that exhibit sustainability, charity and flavour and match their ethos.

As an events venue, LiR is quite different. The artwork mixed with the industrial surroundings of the co-op, which has a long tradition in the region, create a very distinct ambience, as unique as the art itself. This is a vast space with a stage and seating area for live or streamed performances and presentations. Live music and productions also take place throughout the year. For 2020, LiR has welcomed a series of new artists into their fold, with the most varied background and style.

Born and raised in the quiet fishing village of Olhão, painter and sculptor Pedro Águas has an academic background in Visual Arts from the University of the Algarve. His work seeks freedom from the demands of logic and dives beyond everyday consciousness. Águas attempts to overcome the contradiction between objectivity and subjectivity, providing a poetic hallucination, an expansion of consciousness. With his clay head sculptures, he explores our unconscious and dreams, where anything is possible.

Pedro Águas

British painter Jessica Dunn has lived and worked in the Algarve for over 20 years. Following her Art studies at Kingston Polytechnic, in London, she moved to southern Portugal, where she loves taking advantage of the ever-present sunlight. Through the layering of tones, colours and texture, our eyes are drawn into a world of reflection, tranquillity and timelessness featured in her work.

Jessican Dunn

With a degree in Painting from the College of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon, Inês Barracha is a visual artist who combines her fine-arts skills with various fields of design and multimedia. After three years in England studying and working in the area of 3D digital animation, she was invited to teach several subjects in higher and technical courses in Design, Multimedia, Animated Image and Illustration, which brought her back to Portugal. She now works with the MODO project — a neo-rural space that promotes artistic experimentation and training in various creative areas. Barracha has been developing community projects, partnerships, collaborations and other works that have been expanding the MODO concept nationally and internationally.

Inês Barracha

Lisbon-based artist Bebeko is originally from Montreal, Canada. Born Kenya Saint-Lôt and of Portuguese and African descent, she moved to Portugal last year to pursue her dream to be a full-time artist. The self-taught painter decided to use the pseudonym Bebeko for her artwork as a tribute to the childhood nickname that her father gave her. Her abstract painting style reflects her compulsive energy — when she paints, she trusts the guidance of her intuition; it’s her way to listen to her own inner voice.

Bebeko

Born in Porto, Helena de Medeiros graduated from London Fashion School and the ESAD School of Arts and Design, in Matosinhos. Her work as a costume designer is dedicated mainly to contemporary ballet but also cinema, theatre and opera. She has collaborated with great choreographers such as Gradimir Pankov, Iracity Cardoso, Mauro Bigonzetti, or Xin Peng Wang. She also has a parallel career as a painter, having displayed her work since 1990 in solo exhibitions around the world. Helena’s paintings establish an essential dialogue with her work as a costume designer.

Helena de Medeiros

Finally, Rita Pereira is a Portuguese artist based in Lagos, where she is a resident artist at Laboratório de Atividades Criativas (LAC). In 2009, she began her studies in Sculpture at Lisbon’s Fine Arts School and, in 2010, she also pursued Equipment Design, graduating in 2013, followed by a master’s degree in Product Design at the School of Arts and Design in Caldas da Rainha. The pieces on display in the Lady in Red Gallery are smaller than her usual large and often imposing works. Here, you’ll find a selection of small, one-of-a-kind stone carvings with blown glass decanters.

Rita Pereira

LiR is currently open Monday to Sunday from 12pm-5pm but times may vary (mask is mandatory). Entry is free.

Lady in Red

July 24, 2020
Perfectly Stela

Abstract art for all

Well-known in the Algarve art scene, Stela Barreto is a colourful, friendly, authentically creative artist and teacher preparing for a

solo exhibition at the Galeria de Arte in the Lagoa Adega (winery) from April 2017. As she prepared for the exhibition at her Portimão studio, Atelier 34, she described the long journey, via classical training, which has lead to her love of expressionism and abstract art.

Aged seven, Stela began painting portraits, progressing in her teens to oils and more complex methods. Her father was not keen on her pursuing her dream of becoming an artist, but at 16, a persistent Stela saved up for a Spanish art correspondence

course. She attended Lisbon’s António Arroio Art School and after graduating began painting professionally and teaching art.

Comfortable with her academic techniques, Stela began to explore abstract methods: “The fabulous Carlos Lança saw my work and really liked it: I was thrilled, it was a real honour! However, he told me that I wasn’t expressing myself. I took his advice on board and began to explore inwards, learning how to use my right brain as it controls three-dimensional sense, creativity, and artistic senses. I started to draw freestyle and found my path,” she explained.

The first drawings were a little dark, but they finally evolved into something that Stela could work with. As her style began to take shape, this evoked new, fresh ideas and a lust for new mediums: “I don’t want to be dependent on one method. I’m experimental – I need to discover what’s inside of me! I go through phases: it can be two or three at a time,” Stela continued. “I have to be myself. I must paint in solitude. It’s a dialogue between the painting and me: it’s my work.”

The works that Stela has prepared for the Galeria de Arte exhibition are slightly darker than last year’s collection and include portraits and architectural/landscape pieces. That’s how she works: ever changing and creating her art from within. Atelier 34 is a studio, teaching space and creative hub where Stela holds musical ‘happenings’, with talented musicians playing concerts for an audience of artists and art lovers. Donations of €5 are taken at the door and the attendees are entered into a draw where one of the lucky entrants will win a painting by Stela. You can keep up to date with events at Atelier 34 via Facebook.

Stela’s new love is her baby grand piano, which she is learning to play: “Art and music go hand in hand,” she said. “If you can compare a classical music composition to a canvas, the piece of music will often have long, purposeful silences, spaces in time, and these can be more powerful than the main chorus of the song. The canvas can have big blocks of space and they contribute to the overall impression of the piece.” Stela continues to dedicate herself to art classes and running workshops. As a founding member of the INICIARTE group, she founded the School of Art at the Casa das Artes in Portimão. Twice a week, a mixture of young people preparing for university, and older students, gather to learn techniques and improve their skills.

MONTRADARTEKIDS is a joint project with her artist daughter Sofia Barreto teaching young children to promote their creativity, development, self-esteem and to express themselves via art. Stela told us: “It’s so very important for these children to have the opportunity to learn about art and use it for their brain development. Learning how to use the right brain through art has changed my life for the better and I love to share that.”

www.iniciarteartista.blogspot.pt | facebook.com/iniciarte.associacao

www.montradartekids.blogspot.pt | facebook.com/vanessa.barreto.5070

Text: Mia Wallace

April 20, 2017
Art Attack

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Exploring the vast array of art in Ferragudo

Just a few years ago, you’d be hard pushed to find much in the way of an art scene in Ferragudo. Now we’re spoilt for choice with a variety of venues to choose from.

The first and by far the largest is Galerio, in the Arade Congress Centre, overlooking Portimão’s old bridge.

The building is semi-industrial in appearance and has a slightly unfinished feel that lends itself very well as the backdrop for a contemporary art venue. You may remember Rolf Osang from the old ArtAlgarve venue, in Lagoa’s wine cooperative. Rolf moved about a year ago to look for new premises. He has since secured an arrangement with the local council to create a large art instalment in the mostly-unused congress centre, where he promotes local artists. The current exhibition includes pieces from popular artists, such as painter Kerstin Wagner, from Germany, Portuguese/French photographer Alexandre Manuel, English painter Cliff Martin Tuson, in addition to works by often-provocative sculptor Willem Sneijers. Alongside the ongoing group exhibitions, Rolf will hold concerts and art fairs. The first major international art fair, featuring the work of some 40 artists, is being held October 14-16. It’s been Rolf’s aim for a number of years to create a hub for cultural projects and artists and he could have found the right spot in the congress centre.

Centro de Congressos do Arade, Parchal. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10.30 am – 9.00 pm, by appointment, call 968 067 607

Heading back into Ferragudo, along the coastal road, we pass by Studio Bongard. The studio and gallery has been open since 1998 and has an interesting collection of clay sculptures and drawings on display and for sale. Created by husband-and-wife team Sylvain and Tara, the pieces are dotted around the many rooms, courtyards and ponds that make up the studio. “We truly believe this is more than any gallery or shop in the world; it is an immersive experience, to open your imagination and inspire, to pass and enjoy your time calmingly,” Tara explains.

Sylvain’s style is pretty distinctive, featuring many aquatic scenes and elements, while Tara seems to be focusing on flora and fauna, wildlife and human sculpture at the moment. You’ll find many of their pieces around the Algarve, including a fabulous installation in Carvoeiro’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Bon Bon.

Rua Infante D Henrique,62 Ferragudo. Tel.968362930

Open Mon-Fri 10.00 am until 5.30 pm Sat 10.00 am until 2:00 pm

As you arrive in the main square of Ferragudo, you’ll see a tiny jewellery shop in the left hand corner, called Lipscani.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that Lipscani is just a little tourist shop; owner Gina Pires is a very talented jeweller, with art in her genes.

Together with husband Martin, they have opened a quaint little gallery next door, simply called ‘Galeria’.

The gallery is tiny but every corner is brought to life with drawings and paintings.

Wisely, Gina is trying to limit the number of artists on display. The collection works well, with some items starting at around €20 and others going for €4000. There is something here for every taste and budget.

Current artists include the very talented Lígia Maria Pires Fernandes, from Setubal, who has been exhibiting throughout the Algarve and is currently working in Montenegro.

Local English artist, R Bishop, who is famous for his seascapes and life-like paintings of waves, is joined by the fabulous works of famous Portuguese artist, Pedro Buisel.

Pedro’s paintings, all inspired by the Alentejo, are vibrantly colourful and instantly recognisable.

The Galeria is open seven days a week. Evenings in the summer and during the day for the rest of the year. Tel. 911501397

Rua 25 de Abril, Ferragudo.

Continuing down the small street, you’ll come across Déjà Vu – Art Shop. Along with a choice of large works by local artists Meinke Flesseman and Eric de Bruijn, you’ll find a wonderful array of vintage beauties in this eclectic space, ranging from a star scooter with a sidecar or handbags made out of inner tubes to photos of Portuguese doors and even an old barbershop chair. Owner and artist Jerome has packed this wonderful space full of local treasures, making it an absolute must for retro fans.

Open 10.00 am until 7.00 pm until end of October, Rua 25 de Abril, Ferragudo.

Tel. 965049722

Running behind the Rua 25 de Abril, the Rua Primeiro de Maio takes you up to the church. Here, near the top of Ferragudo, you’ll find A Casa do Real Compromisso Marítimo de Ferragudo Art Gallery. Run by the local council, its aim is to host exhibitions throughout the year, enriching the cultural diversity of the village. As we went to press, the next confirmed exhibition is by a group of returning artists and friends. The exhibition will feature: ‘The Elements’, a collection of abstract pieces by Di Della Pace; as well as pieces by French contemporary painter Pascale Cfey and fellow Frenchwoman, Sylviana Loubatieres. Sylviana uses a range of media, one of the most interesting being mirrors, applying paint and gold or copper leaf. Other media include oil on canvas, ceramic tiles and period dress costumes.

This exhibition runs from October 12 to November 10, daily from 10.00 am until 6.00 pm. Call the council office for more information on 282 461 369

Text Mia Wallace

Photos Mia Wallace

September 7, 2016