Portimão’s International Racetrack welcomed this year’s second stage of the MotoGP World Championship, which took place between Friday (March 22) and Sunday (March 24)
– March 25, 2024 | Photo Lukasz Swiderek
Organisers of the event reported an audience attendance of more than 200,000 for the Algarvian “roller coaster”.
Jorge Martín (#89) started from the third position, quickly took the lead and did not let the competition have any more chances, winning the race followed by Enea Bastianini (#23, Italy) who came in with a distance of 0.882 seconds.
This weekend’s race saw a turn of events, as Francesco Bagnaia, two-time World Champion who won the Portuguese GP last year and also finished first in this season’s first race in Qatar GP on March 10-12, collided with Marc Marquez with only a few laps left, described by MotoGP itself as “one of the most dramatic incidents for some time”.
Pedro Acosta (#31, Spain) third took the place with 5.362 seconds and Brad Binder (#33, South Africa) fourth, with 11.123 seconds.
Miguel Oliveira, the Portuguese rider, finished in the Top-10 position, in ninth place and 23.929 seconds.
With 60 points, Jorge Martín (Spain) leads the season’s MotoGP standings, followed by Brad Binder (South Africa) with 42 points, Enea Bastianini (Italy) with 39 points, and Francesco Bagnaia (Italy) fourth with 37 points.
Portimão Museum is hosting an exhibition with findings from research carried out over the last few decades, showing finding proofs that the region has been occupied since prehistoric times
– March 25, 2024 | Photos Portimão Museum
The inauguration of the exhibition “Stories That the River Brings Us” aims to show the general public the result of scientific research carried out over the last few decades.
The research has brought together various fragments of the city’s past, revealing many stories about the Arade River.
“Through objects and illustrations of environments, the visitor is taken through the stories of naval activities in a port open to the world”, with stories of “defence and protection of the port”, as well as of the daily riverside life.
Portimão’s Arade River has been an access point to the interior of the Algarve since ancient times due to the excellent natural harbour conditions of its estuary, which led Portimão to grow in close connection with the river, forming part of an extensive network of commercial and cultural exchanges.
Because of its excellent natural harbour conditions, Portimão was possibly called ‘Portus Hanibalis’, ‘Portus Magnus’, or ‘Cilpis’.
Since the Arade River has been silted progressively for some time, navigation has been restricted, requiring extensive dredging to remove considerable amounts of sediment from the riverbed, leading to the discovery of countless traces of the past, indicating that this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
These “testimonies from other eras” were collected by members of the Ipsiis Project Association, who have been working with the Portimão Museum carrying out an innovative research project since 2014, entitled “DETDA – Prospecting” with metal detectors in the dredged deposits of the Arade River and the Alvor estuary, with the museum also highlighting the significant involvement and participation of the public in this process.
The exhibition is open to the public as follows:
Until July 31st and from September 1st: on Tuesdays (from 2.30pm to 6pm) and from Wednesdays to Sundays (from 10am to 6pm)
During August: Tuesdays (7:30pm-11pm), Wednesdays to Saturdays (1pm-11pm), and Sundays (3pm-11pm).
The exhibition runs until November 3, 2024, and entry is free.
Portimão’s Zona Ribeirinha will welcome Lota Cool Market between July 24-28
– March 22, 2024 | Photos Lota Cool Market
This year’s event will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Portimão’s city status, taking place near the old fish market known as ‘Lota’ from 6pm to 1am, this year under the motto ‘eCOOLegacy’.
The organising association Teia D’Impulsos says the event will aim to show “where we (Portimão) have come from and where we are going”.
“On the horizon is a cooler, more inclusive and sustainable city,” the association says.
With food trucks and stalls selling local handicrafts and regional treats, the market is close to the old ‘Lota’ and promises a lot to look forward to, including live music from local artists every night.
As part of the Cool Young Vibe initiative, young artists will be able to exhibit and sell their works for free, in exchange for giving a workshop on their craft.
Teia D’Impulsos is already accepting registrations from exhibitors looking to secure their spot at the event, open until June 15.
The event passes through five Algarve municipalities: Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão, Silves, and Vila do Bispo
– March 15, 2024
Photo: CAAL
This year’s edition of Rallye Casinos do Algarve marks a significant milestone as the rally will be held in five Algarve municipalities, a feat not seen since 1996.
Marking the second race of the 2024 Portugal Rally Championship, the headquarters will be once again at the Hotel Algarve Casino in Praia da Rocha, Portimão.
A free practice and qualifying session will take place in Lagoa on March 15 to determine the starting order.
As the rally moves into the western Algarve, two new special stages will be held in Lagos and Barão de S. João in the afternoon. Following that, it will travel to Vila do Bispo, and end with a “super stage” in Lagos at night.
On Saturday, March 16, the rally shifts to Silves, featuring three qualifying stages. An intermediate stop is made at Lagoa’s service park (FATACIL), followed by a regrouping in Silves. The highlight is the 24 km Power Stage, which is expected to determine the champions.
Spectators will be able to watch the action from eight viewing areas, including a “city stage” in Portimão for the final podium ceremony set against the backdrop of the Hotel Algarve Casino.
Fans can stay updated on the latest news from Rallye Casinos do Algarve by following CAAL’s social media channels, official website, and through the Sportity app (password: RCA).
Portimão’s TEMPO Theatre will welcome “one of the greatest Portuguese pianists of our time”
– February 16, 2024
Portuguese piano soloist António Rosado will perform this March 9 at 7pm at Portimão’s TEMPO Theatre.
“One of the greatest Portuguese pianists of our time”, António Rosado, will perform a programme that is “extraordinary in its richness and diversity”.
With his extensive piano repertoire, António Rosado has gained national and international recognition for his talent and taste for variety.
The French magazine Diapason described him as an “interpreter who masters what he does. It’s as much about emotion and poetry as it is about colour and good taste”.
Having studied at the National Conservatory of Music in Lisbon, he moved to Paris at just 16 years old to study under Aldo Ciccolini at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse, and attended the Perfection Courses in Italy’s Siena and Biella.
Rosado has performed numerous times with national and international orchestras and his discography includes outstanding works from the solo piano and chamber music repertoire.
He has been honoured by the Maurice Ravel International Music Academy, the Perosi International Academy, the Vianna da Motta International Music Competition and the Alfredo Casella International Prize.
António Rosado holds the prestigious rank of Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a distinction awarded by the French government in 2007.
This March, Rosado’s programme will feature Maurice Ravel’s “Valses nobles et sentimentales”, Isaac Albéniz’s “Iberia: El Albaicin”, Enrique Granados’s “Goyescas: La Maja y el Ruiseñor El Pelele”, and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Variations On A Theme Of Chopin op.22 Corelli op.42”
Ticket for the Festival range from €15 to €20 and can be purchased online via www.tempo.bol.pt or at TEMPO’s ticket office between Tuesday and Saturday from 1pm to 6pm or on the nights of the concerts. Students and people over 65 can benefit from a 25% discount upon presentation of proof.
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 Museumuntil 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.
The Trinidadian-born rapper and singer has been confirmed as a headliner for this year’s edition of the summer festival
– January 24, 2024 | Text Michael Bruxo
Photo by Afro Nation
Nicki Minaj has been confirmed by Afro Nation for another edition of the festival in Praia da Rocha, Portimão, taking place between June 26 and 28.
Known as the “Queen of Rap”, Nicki Minaj is a chart-topping rapper and singer who has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Her concert in the Algarve will be the first time that the 41-year-old artist will perform in Portugal.
The line-up also includes Nigerian rapper Rema and singer Asake, French rapper Ninho and British rapper J Hus, as well as the recently announced Dadju&Tayc, Musa Keys, Lisandro Cuxi, Ch’cco, Yumbs and Tman Xpress.
It has not yet been confirmed when each artist will perform.
The festival’s “priority tickets” will go on sale tomorrow (January 25), with those interested already able to register on the event’s website.
“You will be emailed with your priority access ticket link one hour before the Priority-Sale opens. Once open, you will have 3 hours to secure your ticket before they become available to everyone else,” organisers say.
Afro Nation has become a staple summer festival in the Algarve, drawing thousands of people from all over the world to 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.
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.
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.
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.
Motivated by her desire to instil daily habits focused on physical and mental well-being in others, Débora Rio has opened Alma’te, offering a wide range of massage and energy therapy services
– December 11, 2023 | Text Beatriz Maio
Her passion for this field started at a young age. Since she was a young girl, Débora Rio enjoyed giving her mother a massage with body creams after a bath. Later, and driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, she underwent several training courses and worked in five-star spas, acupuncture clinics, and beauty centres to gain knowledge, “both in terms of the relaxation and therapeutic aspects”.
When she had the idea to open her own business, she didn’t hesitate and decided to invest in a “zen and welcoming” place where tranquillity and harmony prevail. As soon as you enter the space, you immediately feel that worries are left at the doorstep, not only due to the scent of incense but also because of the neutral tones, a comfortable sofa, and natural elements in the décor.
Conveying “calm and good energy” is a priority for Débora Rio, who, with a cheerful smile, aims to pass on the message that “self-love should never be set aside, and taking care of the body and soul is taking care of our physical and mental health.
“We look after others every day, family and friends, and we give our best at work and when performing household tasks, which can lead to extreme fatigue in both the body and mind,” she said, stressing that “often, we forget what is most important: ourselves”.
Débora Rio also highlights the importance of being able to “provide ourselves with good moments and elevate our self-perception”, which is why she chose the name Alma’te (which literally means ‘soul yourself’ and is a play on the expression ‘Ama-te’, which means ‘love yourself’).
At her space, Débora provides therapeutic massages that, in her words, should be seen as “body maintenance” that helps prevent future problems.
“Daily stress and accumulated worries manifest in the body, leading to muscular tension, poor posture, and repetitive movements, which can result in injuries,” the owner explained, adding that “those who view massages as a luxury and not a priority may later realise they were mistaken”.
In addition to massage services, which offer benefits such as body relaxation, relief from muscular tension, stress and anxiety reduction, improved blood circulation, and reduced blood pressure, this space also offers spiritual cleansings, chakra alignment, and tarot consultations.
“The body is not the only thing that needs care; the spiritual aspect also requires attention,” she said, stressing the importance of caring for both to achieve a sense of well-being.
The feeling of a “mission accomplished” when the day ends has been Débora Rio’s motivation as she recently embraced the challenge of starting a business at the age of 25. Concerns about strategies to promote the space and evolve as a professional are ongoing, as is uncertainty about the future. However, she believes that determination and resilience are “half of the path to success”.
“Life is full of risks, and I love taking risks and stepping out of my comfort zone. I don’t like not doing something out of fear or hesitation,” she said, encouraging everyone to always follow their dreams.
Alma’te is situated in Portimão, near Pingo Doce supermarket, close to the riverside area.
For more information, contact Alma’te via +351927 577 775 or almate.deborario@gmail.com
This year’s Christmas parade in Portimão has been a success and many more events are to follow until the end of the holiday season
– December 7, 2023 | Text & Photos Beatriz Maio
Photo by Beatriz Maio
Over 100 people took part in a Christmas parade to mark the start of the festive season in Portimão on Friday (December 1).
Led by Santa and Mrs. Claus, the parade also featured a wide range of colourful Christmas characters brought to life by actors, dancers and musicians.
Photo by Beatriz Maio
The parade started at the old fish market building (Lota), where the town’s ‘Toy Factory’ is located, and continued towards the Manuel Teixeira Gomes square, where Santa’s House was inaugurated.
The parade then proceeded towards Alameda, where a 200sqm ice rink is set up, along with the Christmas Stage where live music performances are held and the immersive LED Planetarium, the big novelty of the town’s Christmas entertainment this year.
Photo by Beatriz Maio
Filipa Goulart, an Azorean who lived in Portimão for 20 years, takes part as a dancer every year in Portimão’s festive entertainment, which she describes as “something wonderful that gives everyone the opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas, through lighting, decorations and entertainment, all for free”.
“Children love seeing the arrival of Santa Claus, and parents too,” the dancer said, praising the local council for putting together an entertainment programme that “offers diversity with parades, shows, and activities that lead to many smiles”.
Photo by Beatriz Maio
There are several activities included in this year’s festive programme, entitled ‘Portimão – Um Sonho de Natal’ (Portimão – A Christmas Dream), for both children and adults. Running until January 6, the programme features more than 50 shows and 30 spots around the borough which have been decorated with Christmas lights, including the local shopping streets, Largo da Mó, Alameda, the 1º de Dezembro garden, and Manuel Teixeira Gomes square.
Some of the highlights of the programme include the Christmas Market, which takes place at the 1º de Dezembro garden, featuring 10 stands selling local handicraft and other regional products, as well as a Christmas train which runs along the town’s central streets and a life-size nativity scene at Largo da Mó.
The festival will be held at Praia da Rocha, Portimão between June 26 and 28, with tickets already on sale
– December 4, 2023 | Text Michael Bruxo
Nigerian rapper Rema and singer Asake, French rapper Ninho and British rapper J Hus have been confirmed as the headliners of the 2024 edition of Afro Nation.
The festival will be held at Praia da Rocha, Portimão between June 26 and 28, with tickets already on sale.
Described as the “world’s biggest Afrobeats festival”, Afro Nation has become a staple summer festival in the Algarve, attracting thousands of people from all over the world to Portimão.
Last year, the festival attracted over 40,000 revellers from 140 countries, organisers said. The first edition was held in 2019, with the event being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lady in Red, the art gallery formerly located in the Adega Cooperativa building in Lagoa, moved to its new premises in Portimão in October
– December 3, 2023 | Text & Photos Michael Bruxo
Lady in Red, the art gallery formerly located in the Adega Cooperativa building in Lagoa, moved to its new premises in Portimão in October.
The art gallery is now located in a two-storey space on the town’s busy Rua Infante Dom Henrique (no.140), just a stone’s throw away from the local shopping street Rua das Lojas and near two other art galleries, making this part of Portimão something of a new artistic hub.
As gallery managerVasco Lamberti stated, moving to a new location was just a matter of time. “The building in Lagoa was starting to collapse and was becoming dangerous for both clients and staff. It was also for sale, meaning we had no guarantee we would be able to stay there for much longer,” he said. From the get-go, the plan was to move to Portimão.
“It’s true our previous gallery was located on a national road (EN125) and had ample parking, but we wanted to be in a more central area, closer to local citizens and tourists. Daniela Medeira (co-manager) and I are also from Portimão, so it’s great to be able to bring the gallery to the town,” Vasco explained.
What is immediately apparent to those who knew the previous space in Lagoa is that the new gallery is much smaller. “The biggest challenge of this move was moving from a 3,000m2 space to one with 200m2; we had to fit everything in here, and that was the most difficult part,” he told us.
Whilst Lady in Red continues to work with the same 50 or so artists, both Portuguese and foreign, the number of artworks it is able to exhibit at the same time is now much lower.
The process of moving all the artworks and carrying out the needed renovations to the new building took around four months and a half. “We reused everything, from recycled materials to the metal grids we used at the previous gallery,” said Vasco. “This new space was in good condition, but it wasn’t suitable for an art gallery, so we had to transform the space to fit our theme.”
The smaller space means that Lady in Red will no longer be able to host the same scale of events that it did before, although it has maintained the concept of being “more than just an art gallery”.
Visitors will find a selection of local products, from hot sauces and honey to liqueurs, a bar, and a selection of smaller art pieces on the ground floor, whilst the larger artworks are exhibited on the first floor, which has a floor opening providing a view of the ground floor and vice-versa.
Lady in Red will now have rotating exhibitions, allowing the gallery to showcase the many artworks of its collection over time despite its smaller physical space.
Being located near other art galleries is not something that worries Vasco Lamberti. “We actually think it is very positive, and we think the other galleries should think the same, because any client we attract can always become a client of their galleries and vice-versa,” he said, stressing that the area is becoming an “art neighbourhood”.
In Portimão there is an architecture studio headed by three partners with different backgrounds and visions who, together, develop unique projects with a “Moroccan touch and Portuguese techniques”.
Dutch entrepreneur Arnold Aarssen and Portuguese architects Joana Dalmau Pinto and João Carriço are behind StudioArte Architecture & Design, which was founded in 2002 with the aim of serving the life purpose of its clients.
Arnold Aarssen, João Carriço and Joana Dalmau Pinto
They have been working together for almost 14 years on different projects that include new residential modern and bioclimatic homes, rehabbing projects (which they call ‘rehab labs’), and commercial buildings, always with the aim of defining new ways of living set to high standards and contemporary designs, “more economical and conscious, whilst respecting the environment and the natural resources”, said the StudioArte CEO.
Casa Simão
Arnold Aarssen is a big traveller and has moved more than 30 times. In 1994, he bought a plot of land with three houses on it in Silves, one of which was his own and, 10 years later, he extended it to be the StudioArte office. His professional career began in the hotel industry, which gave him the opportunity to work in project development and architecture in this area.
Casa da Fé
He is currently part of two other Portuguese companies active in real estate and property design, named Espírito Verde (partner of BioclimaticHouses, focusing on sustainable and eco-friendly projects), and Generoso e Poético. Simultaneously, he is working on new high-quality kitchen lines, and on a furniture line, as well as in various development projects in the Algarve. He considers himself a creative and self-taught person, who has learned to design houses, home features, kitchens, and outdoor areas. Since he has travelled so much and lived in several countries, he believes that working in Portuguese architecture requires local professionals with an understanding of legal matters, City Council procedures and who can speak the language.
Casa Simão
That is why he hired João, from Peniche, and Joana, who is originally from Silves but was working in Lisbon at the time. Both had different ambitions: João wanted to be a DJ and Joana a painter, but their talent for putting creative ideas to paper and turning dream houses into reality led them to architecture, where they mix lines, shapes, volumes, and play with lights and colours.
bioclimatichouses
It all started in a studio located in Silves, but Portimão’s proximity to the sea and the river led the team to choose a workplace with more “city life”, said Arnold Aarssen, who acts as the creative director and consultant of StudioArte, confessing that he had no doubts when making this decision. “We should be in a city that has what we need most,” he explained, adding that the many “houses falling into pieces” he saw made him realise that “there was work to do”.
Casa Simão
Currently, Arnold leads a multinational team of 16 architects and interior designers, half of which are Portuguese. From Italians, Argentinians, Brazilians, and Dutch, to Tunisians, they all live in Portimão, in accommodation provided by the company. Their daily tasks are based on property development and project management, both nationally and internationally, with projects in the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy, many in private villas, and luxury renovations. Arnold Aarssen believes StudioArte stands out for its “uniqueness” and sets itself apart with its “specific Portuguese and sustainable signature”, with an easily identifiable concept, and adds that this characteristic brings them “a very wide variety of clients”.
Casa Joana
The lines of the houses and the use of light are the architects’ primary concerns, such as the hidden windows or a certain angle in the façade. “We work a lot with a blind wall from the northern part to protect people from the cold and we play with the light in a way that lets it come in but leaving the sun out,” illustrated the creative director.
Even though they have a lot in common, each work has its own particularities, which can be seen in the company’s reference projects, such as Casa Simão, Casa Joana and Vale da Lama. The first one distinguishes itself by its solid geometric shapes developed over several levels and suspended glass walkways, with a dry-garden landscape concept. Meanwhile, Casa Joana has an expansive and open feeling, based on a minimalist approach and a stylish little courtyard and a splash pool. In a different approach there is Vale da Lama, a building where a sustainable structure integrates the terrain and the ground, instead of discarding it, creating a green roof that helps regulate the temperature, and reduce the amount of storm-water runoff.
Casa Joana
Comfort and privacy are always taken into consideration, as are the customers’ wishes. “It’s important to listen carefully to the client’s dream and understand if it’s possible to do the job”, Arnold clarified, highlighting that they do not accept “impossible missions”. Their procedure is simple: it always starts with a “pre-check”, followed by a proposal in which the team presents the idea, the whole process, and a price scheme.
Nearly all of the projects approved by StudioArte use a mix of materials in order to be as eco-friendly as possible. “We prioritise wooden structures and roofs, cork and natural insulation, and ventilated foundation,” Arnold commented, emphasising that these are national products installed by local professionals. The concern for the environment is reflected in the aim of reducing certain features in the Algarve, such as gardens with grass or huge swimming pools, to save water, or air conditioning, giving more cost-effective solutions to maintain a pleasant temperature at home.
The desire to explore “urban development” in a city that “attracts different types of tourists” has helped the company grow since its creation. StudioArte is preparing to move to a large property in Rua Infante Dom Henrique, where there will be a big office working with many partners. But that is not all; on top will be built “one of the most beautiful penthouses in Portimão”, according to Arnold Aarssen.
StudioArte’s goal is to become a “well-known company” throughout Europe and change mentalities by promoting respect for nature. “We want to move fast and promote the healthiest way of living,” highlighted Arnold, stressing that “every small step is significant for the near future”.
Munchi enriches every meal with its jams, chutneys, and piri-piri sauces and sweetens the heart with its cakes
– November 29, 2023 | Text Beatriz Maio
Lagos native Cátia Santos is the face behind Munchi Cozinha Criativa (Creative Kitchen), a dream that took shape in 2019 and has not stopped growing since. It all started with the desire to make use of leftover food which, together with her creativity, led to unequalled flavours.
She worked for eight years as a cook and manager at the Charming Residence & Guest House Dom Manuel I in Lagos, which gave her the opportunity to learn all the procedures, care, and goodpractices within a professional kitchen. It was also where she did her first experiments and received positive feedback from customers, which gave her the motivation to continue and make more and betterjams.
Initially, there were just three varieties, in little jars with a handwritten label. Now there are 10, produced professionally, plus a panoply of cakes with unique flavours. “I love cooking and that people enjoy my food. That makes me happy,” she revealed, emphasising that “the flexibility of the hotel and the chance to explore the kitchen was essential” in creating her artisanal brand.
The intention of avoiding waste combined with Cátia’s natural talent for mixing ingredients meant that after tasting the jams, many people began to ask if they could be sold. “I didn’t follow a recipe, I just made it naturally,” she said, recalling how the raspberry, red pepper, and lime chutney became a favourite with customers.
From simple to more complex combinations, the artisan was fulfilling their requests and the joy of receiving orders was such that she had no doubts: she wanted to dedicate herself to Munchi and developing her jams, without being afraid to take risks. Although at first, it was “just a joke, with no intentions whatsoever”, she eventually realised that she could turn it into a business and decided to introduce Mexican jalapeños and chillies, the only ingredients that are imported, and produce spicy and smoked jams.
“I want people to have a different gastronomic experience and become more adventurous and creative in the kitchen themselves,” she admitted, adding that her aim is for consumers to use jams and chutneys not just for breakfast or snacks but at every meal, thus taking advantage of the versatility of these products that can be used in grilled or baked dishes.
As skilfulness is part of Cátia, who draws inspiration from her favourite chef Gordon Ramsay, Japanese artisan jam producer Ayako Gordon, and Portimão pastry chef Larissa Neto, who runs the US-based boutique bakery Bakey Bakes, she also decided to sell her sweets, which could not be more successful.
From the blueberry cake, with poppy seeds, lemon curd, and Swiss buttercream, to the chocolate cake with mousse, caramel, salted peanuts, and crispy rice, or the special red velvet with Philadelphia cream cheese, mascarpone, and red fruit jelly, it will be difficult to choose which one to try as they all are mouthwatering – “not too sweet, fresh and light”.
The amount of work began to be so much that, in 2022, the artisan chose to work full-time on the production and sale of her products, which resulted in Munchi’s presence in several food markets as well as partnerships in Lagos, Alvor, Salema, and Espiche. This way, her concept reaches various areas that end up expanding Cátia’s network of clients all over the world, which would not be possible without the help and support of her husband, Luís Madeira, and their friends, Rita and Pedro, her “pillars” from the creation of the brand until today.
Pedro, who is a photographer, created the labels and took care of the image and photography, and Rita, who works in Human Resources at a hotel, advised her on the financial side of things. The name Munchi was also chosen by the four of them because they believe it represents the snacks we eat, when we are not exactly hungry but have an appetite, and can be shared in a social moment.
“It takes a lot of courage and consistency to have your own business. It has been a great adventure,” she said. It is in a house belonging to her grandmother, near Bensafrim, that the artisan produces her jams, chutneys, and piri-piri condiments, in a huge kitchen and in an atmosphere that feels incredibly personal and familiar. Although the space is just for production, Cátia feels at home and follows her grandmother’s recipes, made by hand without colourings or preservatives in a place where everything is well organised (and legalised).
Working alone, she does all the planning and management, as well as cooking, selling her products, and managing Munchi’s website and social networks, skills she has acquired through her experience over the last few years and her desire to bring her flavours to more people.
“Everything is very careful, from the laboratory studies that prove the products are fit for human consumption to our concern for the environment,” explained Cátia, highlighting that she always prioritises produce from local producers to maintain the freshness and quality of her jams.
Not only does Munchi not use any plastic, but the brand also donates 1% of the online shop’s revenues to Stripe Climate, a coalition of companies that accelerate carbon removal. But it does not stop here, the carbon footprint is well controlled, and the distribution of the products is only done in electric or hybrid cars. This concern led to the creation of Munchi bags, made from 100% cotton with a Portuguese cork handle.
The products are available on the website and can also be bought in Lagos at the Levante Market, every Saturday morning, or at the Viv’o Mercado Organic Market, on Wednesday afternoons.
October 12, 2023 | Text Beatriz Maio | Photos Charlotte Cockayne/Open Media Group
Be it for the sea view, the quality food or the intimate and comfortable atmosphere, there are plenty of reasons to visit Vau Steakhouse, right next to Portimão’s Vau beach.
A true family business, where everyone helps in the most diverse areas, from the kitchen and customer service to the decoration.
This restaurant is the result of Vítor Teixeira desires’ who, together with his brother Francisco, known as Chico, decided to take a risk and open an unrivalled establishment that makes so many customers happy. Not only is it a place where you can have a meal or a cocktail with live music nights but also a space where weddings, baptisms and sunset parties are held.
The menu is diverse, perfect for both meat and seafood lovers. “We decided to have a varied choice of dishes on the menu, it would be unthinkable to be by the beach and not serve fish or seafood,” Vítor commented. There are even vegan options, such as the spinach and tomato risotto or the mushroom one, the vegetable linguini or the tropical salad.
For those who don’t like meat, the octopus “lagareiro” style is just as tasty as the typical Portuguese dish of codfish that is also served here or, if you fancy another fish dish, there is the salmon fillet or bream. As might be expected, there is also seafood rice and cataplana as well as the special Cataplana Vau Steakhouse, which substitutes the traditional seafood with filet mignon.
The menu was carefully chosen by Vítor’s wife Vanda, his brother Chico and another of the seven brothers, João Carlos, who like Chico also has experience in catering. The list of meat dishes is extensive, and the recommendations are many but, when in doubt, the Surf & Turf dish will not leave you dissatisfied. The pepper steak, the Tomahawk, or the mixed meat platter will all delight meat lovers, as the restaurant serves cuts of excellence that come from Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.
Nonetheless, national and regional products are also valued, and the family works in partnership with local suppliers. Floral Portimão wine is on the list along with some references from the Alentejo region and several from the Douro. For those who prefer a more aromatic drink, there is sparkling wine and champagne as well as red, white, or sparkling sangria.
“We stand out for our genuine essence, for the attention we give to customers and for the joyful spirit with which we serve them,” Vítor emphasised. In addition to these factors, there is the breathtaking view where the sky meets the sea, which makes for a calming and cheerful atmosphere, helped along by the vibrant colours of both the beach and the surrounding nature. “It is a wide-open space adaptable to any circumstance and climate,” the owner explained, showing that the glass around the centre of the restaurant can be fitted or not and the structure allows to choose the size of the serving area.
A fascinating space for those inside and the ones passing by, you are greeted with a giant bull made of weathered steel, which immediately draws attention to the fact that it is a steakhouse, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that allow you to feel the harmony of the place and enjoy the landscape it provides.
It was Vanda who imagined a space for large events, hence the decoration in light colours with white chairs and tables which “convey purity and peace”, she explained. The other elements were also carefully selected – the plants are all natural and most were already on the grounds and nothing better than sand on the outside to remind diners of where they are, a few metres from the beach.
The team of professionals features several family members, including four of Vítor’s nephews and his eldest son, which makes the atmosphere comfortable and cosy. “They all get along very well and work perfectly together. They know how to communicate and understand when there is an opportunity to be in a more informal environment,” revealed the owner.
Vau Steakhouse is known by both locals and foreigners, but most diners are from the United Kingdom and United States, as well as Canadians, Spanish, French, Italians, and Germans. “We mostly speak English here, but I would like to have more local people visiting us,” Vítor stated. “The Portuguese associate ‘steakhouse’ with a high-priced establishment and only meat dishes, which is not what happens here.”
The idea of opening a restaurant came from the Vítor and Vanda’s experience after two years working in the catering sector in Luanda, the capital of Angola. Vanda already had experience as a cook and her husband in table service, essential factors that led to the realisation of a common desire: to open a business of their own.
Before that, after years of working as a night security guard in the Algarve, Vítor decided he no longer wanted to work those shifts and chose to move to London, where he joined three of his brothers who were already living there. Despite having the ambition to work in a different sector, he ended up accepting a security guard position but this time in restaurants, having later also done table service.
Even though he was close to his family, he did not feel complete. “I had the ambition to change my life, I felt I could do more professionally, and I decided to return to my country. However, as Vanda’s family is in Angola, we chose to try a life there but it didn’t work out so we have returned and put all our efforts into this business,” he said.
The 3D Fun Art Museum arrived in Portimão “not only to provide fun moments but to educate visitors” with fun facts and “classic works by famous artists and illustrators” with interactive experiences
– October 12, 2023 | Text Beatriz Maio
The 3D Fun Art Museum arrived in Portimão from Lisbon after being born on the island of Madeira. The idea and venture came from Ralf Hein, originally from Frankfurt, Germany, and Lara Hein, originally from Porto, a couple who discovered this common interest and have been developing a concept that did not exist in Portugal.
As Ralf and Laura worked in completely different areas, they thought about starting a business together and, during a holiday in Thailand, the realisation of what it would be came up whilst visiting a museum with a similar concept to the one they are currently pushing in three cities.
After enjoying a good family time with their children in a 3D space, they decided to open one of their own. “The whole family enjoyed it very much, but the images were very related to Asian culture,” Ralf recalled. Therefore, his search for three-dimensional painting artists began and, over three years, he was able to have on digital all the drafts that they imagined. In total, he brought together eight artists from several countries including the United States, Romania, Ukraine, Germany, and Portugal, who developed 40 high-resolution images.
The aim is not only to provide fun moments but to educate visitors who have at their disposal from fun factsto classic works by famous artists and illustrators such as The Inverted Faces by the Brit Rex Whistler and All is Vanity made by the American Charles Allan Gilbert.
Whilst walking, people are faced with explanations of how several optical illusions are created, which emphasise interactive exploration. This is a place that transports anyone to another world without leaving the physical space, not only the youngest but also the oldest who have been regular visitors and do not hide their smiles when experiencing the different realities that the 3D Fun Art Museum provides, whether in groups or individually, coming from all country with visits promoted by schools and senior centres.
Everything has been thought out in detail, from the entrance with paintings on the wall that tell stories to the the decorated bathrooms. The attention to detail is just one of the reasons it receives more and more visitors from all over the world, such as English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Lebanese, and Americans, with the Portuguese being the most frequent.
“I decided to take a chance on this business because it makes me happy, I like to see the happiness on people’s faces,” the owner emphasised, highlighting that he wants visitors to “have fun, a good time, and learn”.
The couple started by opening a museum in Madeira in 2019 however, the pandemic forced them to close doors due to government restrictions. Nonetheless, for the time they were open, they had good feedback from customers, both local and foreign. “It was working from the first day. After a few weeks, we knew the concept was functioning so I said to Lara that if it was going well, we should try it in any other city,” the owner revealed.
Then, in 2022 they moved to Lisbon and, after six months of preparation, the museum was already open. Although in Funchal it took three months, in the Portuguese capital it needed double the time to have the perfect large space. As soon as they opened, in July last year, it was a hit, and it was packed out. “I started thinking about opening a third one in the Algarve because I always loved the region so, in October, we moved here and we did it in July,” said Ralf.
The three spaces are differentbut share some images, like the shark which has become a classic. In Madeira, for instance, there are scenarios of the island landscapes whilst in Lisbon there are paintings of the 25 de Abril Bridge, and in Portimão the history of the city has not been left out as well as the traditional sardines.
The storyline is Ralf and Lara’s joint work and views that they acquired from their passion for going to optical illusion spaceswith the artists’ ideas, with plans to change some of the images every year.
The scenarios allow for entertainment with lights, shadows, paintings, mirrors, and augmented reality – an animated experience displayed on a big screen that lets visitors play with different species of dinosaurs and other wild animals – which combines the science of visual perception with the magic of illusion.
The future is bright for this couple as they already have had many proposals from foreign investors who are planning to invest on the 3D Fun Art Museum concept, name, and images. Also, in Portugal the expansion may happen as the city of Porto is in Ralf and Lara’s sights.
For the visit, it is essential to bring a mobile phone or camera and for those who decide to go alone, it is possible to rent a tripod to take the photos or ask for help from a member of the young team.
The Food Festival will feature an impressive lineup of 24 top chefs, each revealing their culinary secrets with show-cooking experiences
– September 14, 2023
Taking place this weekend (Saturday and Sunday) at Alameda Praça da República, the Arrebita food festival will invite 24 renowned chefs to prepare a variety of delicious dishes for €6.50 each.
“There is no love like the first, and how we missed Portimão, the city that gave birth to a gastronomy festival that is changing Portugal,” according to the organisers.
“In its fourth edition, Arrebita Portimão boasts a cast of 24 top chefs for two days of high-level gastronomy. Alongside acclaimed chefsfrom all over the country, we have the determination of new talent. Once again, we rely on the presence of local producers who will bring and showcase regional products.”
On September 16, the list of renowned chefs includes Gil Fernandes from Michelin-starred restaurant Fortaleza do Guincho in Cascais, Diogo Martins from Zest in Albufeira, Nuno Martins from Numa in Portimão, João Sá from Sála in Lisbon, Ruben Santos from Casa do Gadanha in Estremoz, Hugo Guerra from Lobo Mau in Charneca da Caparica, and João Correia from Altis Avenida in Lisbon.
Chef José Lopes from Carvoeiro’s Michelin-starred Bon Bon restaurant, Luis Brito from A Ver Tavira, Rui Rebelo from Terraço Editorial, Alana Mostachio and Habner Gomes from Matte will be the chefs on Sunday, September 17, with the full list of chefs to be announced soon.
Admission to the event will be free, and it will begin each day at 6pm until 11pm.
The special event will feature a double round of the European Le Mans Series: the 4 Hours of Algarve and the 4 Hours of Portimão
– September 7, 2023
The special event will feature a double round of the European Le Mans Series, which will be the last two races of the 2023 season: the 4 Hours of Algarve on October 20, and the 4 Hours of Portimão on October 22.
Both four-hour races will take place within less than 48 hours from each other, promising a true spectacle for motorsports fans in the Algarve. The official programme also includes three international series, the Le Mans Cup, the Ligier European Series, as well as the World Final of the Radical World Series.
The ELMS is described by organisers as “the perfect proving ground for any competitor wishing to take on the challenge of the next stage on the endurance ladder, the FIA World Endurance Championship and the pinnacle of the sport, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
New cultural association P.O.I.S! retransformed an old grey accessible route, under the motto “Together, let’s make Portimão the coolest city in the world”
– August 23, 2023
A new cultural association in Portimão has breathed new life into the ‘Rota Acessível’ (Accessible Route) on the town’s Rua Direita street by transforming it from an unremarkable grey path to a “kaleidoscope of colours.”
The project, titled ‘A Rua Direita em Festa’ (‘Rua Direita in Celebration’), marks the beginning of the cultural association P.O.I.S! – Palco das Ondas Invisíveis Studio and was conceived by young French artist Charlotte Mohns, known in the artistic world as Caïros, who was assisted by French compatriots Kamille Bobeau and Gaspard Kyriacopoulos.
The new colourful path was created using colours inspired by the spiral logo of the municipality of Portimão, highlighting the “terracotta tonesof the cliffs and rooftops, interwoven with the vibrant blues of the sea and the Algarve sky.”
The artists used paints hardened with polyurethane, ensuring “greater resistance and durability.”
According to Caïros, “the project’s goal, sponsored by the local parish council and with logistical support from the town council, is to brighten up the town’s historic centre, mixing the forms of nature and architecture that make up its essence, making it more attractive for residents, shop owners, and tourists.”
Charlotte Mohns (centre), Kamille Bobeau (right) and Gaspard Kyriacopoulos (left)
“This will be the first phase of something more ambitious, as the idea is to embellish the entire Accessible Route of Portimão, with the collaboration of local artists as well, to invigorate the cultural offer and the economic fabric,” said the artist, who recently painted a mural in Marseille.
The new cultural association was born from the collective vision of architects, artists, merchants, and young people from Portimão and aims to “imbue the city with happiness” through a wide range of initiatives.
Under the motto ‘Together, let’s make Portimão the coolest city in the world!’, the association will voluntarily promote these initiatives with the belief that it can change the town for the better.
According to Portimão council, the Accessible Route which has been given a colourful new life was inaugurated in 2010 and “was a pioneer at the national level and one of the first in Europe.”
It resulted from the municipality’s “commitment to social inclusion by eliminating architectural barriers in the city’s administrative centre.”
With a continuous path of over 5km, unobstructed and properly signposted, the route involved a municipal investment of around €300,000, allowing visitors to easily reach Portimão’s main points (public services, touristattractions, and commercial area).
Article originally published by Michael Bruxo on Portugal Resident.
The summer season brings the anticipated 8th edition of the “Coolest Market in the South”
– July 4, 2023
Portimão marks the beginning of summer with the riverside “Lota Cool Market” event, taking place between July 5-9 from 6pm to 1am, focusing on environmental awareness under the “Blue Fever” theme.
This year’s Lota Cool Market will be “bigger and more dynamic” with the addition of the “Young Cool Vibe” zone in Jardim Visconde Bivar, a space dedicated to young artisans who give small workshops on their art late in the afternoon.
There will be artisan and local producers’ stalls set up in the usual catering area as well as food trucks and small vehicles in the square in front of the old fish market, preparing a wide range of street food, including hamburgers, hot dogs, pizzas, empanadas, and sweet and savoury crepes. To accompany these delicious flavours, drinks include renowned Alentejo Black Pig gin, ginja cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups, Granny’s Flavor Algarve liqueurs and the region’s best wines.
Artisans and new design brands will inspire visitors to reuse and recycle materials, with crafts including crochet and macramé, clothing, botanical jewellery, and natural cosmetics.
There will also be live concertsevery night with the Choque Frontal ao Vivo event, a “Happy Van”, which is a VW minivan Photobus, set up to capture the event’s greatest memories, as well as henna paintings and inflatables for children.
Third edition of the Portimão Box Cup brings boxers from 10 European countries to the Algarve
– May 22, 2023
The Portimão Box Cup will take place between Friday, May 26 and Sunday, May 28. Two rings will be set up at the Portimão Arena, which is expected to host over 200 fights over the three days.
A total of 66 teams are expected to participate in the Portimão Box Cup, including the following countries: Portugal, Spain, England, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Wales and Croatia.
The competition will begin on Friday, May 26 at 11am, followed by a break at 2pm and the opening ceremony at 6pm.
On Saturday and Sunday, matches will begin at 2pm, with breaks scheduled at 4pm and 6pm.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 28, at 8.30 pm.
Tickets cost €5 for one day, and €10 for the three-day pass, and can be purchased online or at Portimão Arena, Tempo Theatre or Portimão museum.
Admission is free for children up to the age of 11 as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
The event is organised by Associação Escola Boxe Portimão, which aims to promote boxing and provide athletes with a high-level competition which allows them to “learn and evolve.”
Follow Portimão Box Cup on Facebook for the latest news.
May 5th will begin with Hoop and Ball qualifications starting at 10.30am, followed by lunch, and the Opening Ceremony for the Group Qualifications from 6.20pm to 8pm.
On Saturday, the Clubs and Ribbons qualifications will take place between 10.30am and 6pm, followed by lunch, and later by the Awards Ceremony starting at 6.05pm and ending at 8pm.
The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup’s Individual Finals Award Ceremonies will begin at 3pm on the final day at Portimão Arena, ending with the Gala and closing ceremony from 7.35pm-8pm.
Children under 3 years old can enter the venue, waiving the need to present a ticket if they stay on your lap. If they occupy a seat, they must pick up a ticket (baby prams are not permitted in the venue).)
Created by Algarve Physiotherapist Joel Fernandes, the ‘Movement Beyond Fifty’ programme aims to help people maintain mobility as they get older
– April 10, 2023
Simple movements like sitting down or getting up are often taken for granted. But as we get older, we start to lose our ability to perform them.
Portimão physiotherapist Joel Fernandes realised this when his grandmother fell one night in 2012 and was unable to get up until his mother found her on the floor the next day.
Surprised that she was unable to get up on her own, Joel decided to dive deeper into his studies and found out that many people “of a certain age” also struggle with this ‘basic movement’ – getting up.
After years of research, courses, training and trial-and–error, the 42-year-old physiotherapist created his own unique programme, which he calls Movement Beyond Fifty (MBF).
By training people to complete basic human movements such as squatting, lunging, pushing, turning and reaching, Joel hopes to not only “improve their movement health in order to live a more fulfilling life” but also prepare them to deal with situations like that which affected his grandmother, should they occur.
“These are basic human movements, and we all need the basics, from top athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo to those whose only physical activity is taking the dog for a walk,” says Joel, who has worked twice as the physiotherapist for local club Portimonense and now runs his own private practice at Vila Rosa in Praia da Rocha.
“If someone struggles to squat, they will likely struggle to sit on a chair or toilet, get in and out of a car, or pick up objects that have dropped on the floor,” he adds. While MBF was created with older people in mind, Joel says that anyone can benefit from these exercises and working on their mobility, stability, coordination, balance, cardio and strength.
The programme draws inspiration from several methodologies and findings from different studies, which clearly show that maintaining the ability to stand up and lie down on the floor, independently, is important for us to age in a healthy and active way.
And that is why the MBF exercises are performed on the floor. “Some people find it strange to sit or lie on the floor because, as adults, we lose our familiarity with it – we grow further away from the floor as we get older. If you look at children, they are always playing on the floor. Adults have lost that connection, and that is when our physical decline begins,” he explains.
The MBF programme was initially designed with the Algarve’s expat community in mind, as Joel believed that foreign residents would be more open about these “out-of-the-box” exercises. But as the word started to spread, Joel has been welcoming more and more Portuguese clients, with his clientele now divided almost equally between foreigners and Portuguese.
Joel has created a website where people can learn more about MBF, see some of his clients’ testimonies and become a subscriber, with access to the private MBF Facebook Group, where MBF classes and tutorials are posted. Tutorials are posted on Sunday while a new class is posted every Monday. All information and videos are posted in English.
Dutch-Born Algarve Artist Meinke Flesseman has started a new project in an old building which is being completely renovated
– April 10, 2023
The idea to purchase the building and open her own gallery came to Meinke from the desire to create her own artistic space. “I fell in love with this place,” Meinke said. “It was big, and spooky, and had all the space that I wanted. My imagination ran wild.”
The gallery opened in December last, but the two-storey building is being renovated to act as “five spaces in one, which are still connected but nonetheless separable”. The gallery occupies just one of the building’s spaces.
Whilst the artist initially planned to take over the building with two other people, she eventually decided to move forward on her own. Renovation work began in October 2021 and has proven to be quite the endeavour.
“It has everything one could wish for, it’s true, but it’s also a lot of spare metres to fix up, and that was the naïve part. But it’s going well, and it’s exciting,” said Meinke, likening the construction process to painting.
“It’s all about building something up, and then using your imagination, changing it…,” she explained.
Right next door to Meinke’s gallery is the Sphinx Gallery, which is located in a building previously owned by Meinke.
“It is wonderful because we complement each other. I think this is already generating some out-of-the-box energy in Portimão, which has not really been seen as a place to come to see art,” the artist said.
“The same happened in Olhão. Fifteen years ago, people would ask why anyone would want to live in Olhão. And now many people want to live there. Artists attract other artists and help create reasons for other people to come there and invest,” said Meinke, adding that Portimão has the potential to continue to grow as an attractive destination for artists as well as investors.
“Portimão has a lot of qualities. It is still one of the most affordable towns in the Algarve to live in, and it offers a lot of quality, being so close to the sea and boasting such easy access. There are also a lot of beautiful buildings just waiting to be renovated,” she added.
The opening of the gallery is the culmination of an art-filled life for Meinke, who was born in Amsterdam but grew up in the Algarve “surrounded by animals, nature and simplicity”.
These sources of inspiration are evident in a lot of her work, as animals (particularly goats), are often represented in her paintings.
“They bring me good memories and good feelings, so they are a recurring element in my work. It perhaps represents a longing for simplicity and well-being, which I associate them with. They all look similar, but they have their own personalities, cheekiness, independence and ways of being,” she said.
Meinke describes herself as an artist who is particularly drawn to nature and a sense of purity. “Hence the greenery, farm animals, beach scenes and the general simplicity of everyday life that I’m able to observe,” she says.
Whilst Meinke always had a knack for using her hands to create things and express herself creatively, she only started studying art in her late 20s. “I lived in different countries and under different circumstances, but it ended up being a good thing because I only studied art later when I really knew for sure what I wanted to do with my life,” the 56-year-old artist said.
After growing up in the Algarve, Meinke moved back to the Netherlands before travelling to Italy to study jewellery-making. Several years later, she enrolled in Fine Arts School – in Moscow – with the Volkovs, and continued her Art studies, graduating from Ruud Wacker’s Academy, in Amsterdam. She moved back to Portugal with her daughter and then-husband around 25 years ago, having spent time living in Lagoa, Olhão and now Portimão.
‘Meinke Flesseman Gallery’ is located at number 126 on Rua Infante Dom Henrique – the long street which connects the old bridge between Portimão and Lagoa to the Gil Eanes square. All works currently exhibited at the gallery were created by Meinke, with almost all being available for sale.
Although it’s still early days, with other parts of the building still under renovation, Meinke is planning to also host exhibitions by other artists or collectives of artists. For now, the gallery is open only by appointment, although the plan is to eventually have the doors open to the public.
The MotoGP season opening will take place at the Algarve International Racetrack
– March 23, 2023
MotoGP Nº 88, Miguel Oliveira
Portimão’s Racetrack is gearing up to host the first race of the 2023 MotoGPseason on Portuguese soil, promising a spectacular event starting this Friday, March 24.
The much-anticipated MotoGP season will have 21 stages, scheduled to take place throughout the year. Fans can look forward to a jam-packed programme of activities for all motorsport enthusiasts, from motorcycles to Formula 1.
With top riders and teams set to battle on the track, this year’s MotoGP promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable spectacle for all who attend.
Here is the full programme for the March 24-26 Portuguese Grand Prix weekend:
Friday, March 24
9am – 9h35am – Moto3 – Practice 1
9h50am – 10h30am – Moto2 – Practice 1
10h45am – 11h30am – MotoGP – Practice 1
11h45 am – 12h10pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Practice 1
1h15pm – 1h50pm – Moto3 – Practice 2
2h05pm – 2h45pm – Moto2 – Practice 2
3pm – 4pm – MotoGP – Practice 2
4h15pm – 4h40pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Practice 2
5h50pm – 6h10pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Qualifying
Saturday, March 25
8h40am – 9h10am – Moto3 – Practice 3
9h25am – 9h55am – Moto2 – Practice 3
10h10am – 10h40am – MotoGP – Free Practice
10h50am – 11h05am – MotoGP – Qualifying 1
11h15am – 11h30am – MotoGP – Qualifying 2
11h35am – 12pm – MotoGP VIP Village Pit Lane Walk
11h45 – 12pm – Formula 1 BMW Williams demonstration
12h15pm – 12h30pm – Stunt Show
12h50pm – 1h05pm – Moto3 – Qualifying 1
1h15pm – 1h30pm – Moto3 – Qualifying 2
1h45pm – 2pm – Moto2 – Qualifying 1
2h10pm – 2h25pm – Moto2 – Qualifying 2
3pm – MotoGP – MotoGP Sprint
4h10pm – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Race 1
4h30pm – MotoGP Sprint Press Conference
Sunday, March 26
8h50am – Red Bull Rookies Cup – Race 2
9h45am – 9h55am – MotoGP – Warm Up
10am – 10h30am – MotoGP – Rider Fan Show / MotoGP VIP Village Pit Lane Walk
11am – Moto3 – Race (19 laps)
12h15pm – Moto2 – Race (21 laps)
1h10pm – 1h20pm – Formula 1 BMW Williams demonstration
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.”
The event will bring together over 150 national and international artists from painters and digital artists to mixed-media creatives, photographers and more
– January 17, 2023
Storks nesting at Odiáxere, by Malcolm Hyde
The first Art Expo Algarve, an art exhibition which will bring together over 150 national and international artists together under the same roof, will be held for the first time between February 10 and 12 at the Portimão Arena.
The event is organised by a group of gallery ownersand curators to address the lack of a large-scale art exhibition in the south of Portugal.
As organiser John Ganhão told the Resident, Art Expo Algarve will feature established and emerging artists, galleries and artist collectives, who will be exhibiting and selling high-quality artworks directly to the public. The idea to organise the event was inspired by John Ganhão’s travels around the world with his wife and artist, Viktoria Ganhão.
Blue Abstraction III, by Viktoria Ganhão
“We’ve been travelling around the world for 15 years, exhibiting at fairs and exhibitions abroad. I fell in love, not only with her art, but the works of many other artists around the world. But we noticed that there was also potential to organise our own event in the Algarve,” he said.
“We will be having artists from all over the world taking part. The event attracted a lot of interest, as there is no event like this one in the Algarve,” John told us.
The list of artists spans a wide range of areas, such as painters, digital artists, mixed media artists, photographers,sculptors and ceramic and glass artists.
Indeed, one of the goals of the event is to give art lovers in the Algarve, as well as the region’s visitors, a chance to enjoy spectacular artworks made by a wide range of artists.
Sam, by Eleonora Islamova
“There are many artists and some galleries (in the Algarve), but there wasn’t an event that brought them all together for a few days in one space,” said Ganhão.
This is precisely why organisers made sure to secure a large enough venue to accommodate such a large number of artists.
“We have a partnership with Portimão Council, which allowed us to use the Portimão Arena. These kinds of events take up a lot of space and there aren’t many spaces with the conditions to host these events,” he said.
Portimão Arena also boasts plenty of parking and is located near the northern entrance of the town, making it easily accessible for people travelling from outside of the town.
The first edition of the event was due to be held in 2022 but was delayed until this year due to the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, which halted the travel plans of many of the participating artists at the time.
Art Expo Algarve will be free to visit and opening hours will be between 11am and 9pm on Friday and Saturday and 11am and 8pm on Sunday. The fair is wheelchair-friendly.
More information on the event, such as the full list of participating artists, can be found online at www.artexpoalgarve.com
The event will start at 10pm on December 31 with a performance by 5EX Band until midnight, followed by a 10-minute firework show.
DJ Alexandre Ramos will then keep people dancing into the early hours of the morning.
Portimão
Portimão has unveiled a three-day programme which will include three concerts at the town’s riverfront, all starting at 10pm.
Portuguese rapper Piruka will be the first to take the stage on Thursday, December 29, followed by Angolan singer-songwriter Matias Damásio on Friday, December 30.
Entertainment on New Year’s Eve will be provided by DJ Noise Tribe as well as Mercury Falls, a Queens tribute band which will be performing all of the beloved hits by the legendary British rock band.
There will also be fireworks to delight crowds along the Portimão and Alvor riverfrontsand at Praia da Rochanear the marina.
The concerts are free to attend and are being funded by the organisers of the Rolling Loud, Afro Nation e Secret Project festivals as part of a partnership with Portimão Council which allowed them to hold the events on the beach at Praia da Rocha.
Portimão’s ‘Christmas Dream’ will be running until January 6 with “all kinds of Christmas activities and events”
– December 19, 2022
Christmas is being celebrated in Portimão with a festive programme entitled ‘Sonho de Natal’ (Christmas Dream), which is running until January 6 and will see all kinds of Christmas activities and events taking place throughout the municipality.
The biggest change compared to previous years is the new ‘Santa Claus Factory’, which is taking place at the renovated ‘Lota’ building and will feature a long list of festive entertainment.
Christmas lights have also been installed at 40 locations around the borough but will only be turned on between 6pm and midnight due to the government’s recommendations in light of the ongoing energy crisis.
Workshops
Visitors will be able to take part in a series of workshops where they can learn how to make Christmas cookies or wrap presents, or enjoy one of the many Christmas stories which will be told.
Admission is free, but visitors must sign up for any events they want to take part in.
Ice Rink
Other highlights include the town’s life-sized nativity scene, which can be visited at Largo da Mó on the town’s Rua das Lojas shopping street and can be visited 24 hours a day, and the town’s ice rink which is located in Praça da República (more commonly known as Alameda) and will be open between 2pm and 7pm on weekdays and between 11am and 7pm at weekends – excluding Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (11am to 4pm) and Christmas Day (closed).
Shows
19 Dec
7pm – ILLUSIONISM – Illusionist Salguery
Awarded several international prizes in Spain, France and Japan, Salguery will present a memorable show full of fantasy.
7.30pm – DANCE – Ritmo Studio presents “Dance Show”
20 Dec
7pm – MUSIC – Stars of Portugal, The Voice Portugal
Several participants of “The Voice” Portugal, will form a quartet and present us with national and international hits.
7.30pm – Academy “Dança Mais” presents “Dança Comigo”
21 Dec
7pm – PERFORMANCE – ZÉLELÉ, The Clown
With a background at the well-known Chapitô Artschool in Lisbon, “Zélelé” promises to wander through the children’s world with his circus performances, a show highly recommended for kids and adults alike.
7.30pm – MUSIC – “Glória ou Morte Portimonense” presents “O Seu Grupo De Cantares”
22 Dec
7pm – THEATRE – “Uma Paródia De Natal” (“A Christmas Parody”) with Violin, Percussion and Cachamorada
Carla Domingos and Jorge Soares will give life to the puppets, also known as puppets of the cachamorrada. This Christmas parody is accompanied by João Feliz on violin and Tiago Feliz on percussion.
7.30pm – MUSIC – Cantata de Natal “Shine to the World”
For the Christmas spirit, enjoy a Christmas-themed concert performed by a group comprised of a saxophone, trumpet, violin and bass.
23 Dec
7pm – ILLUSIONISM – Paulo Cabrita Show
Illusionism Show with classic magic numbers for the whole family.
7.30pm – MUSIC – Senior University (Universidade Sénior) presents “Cante Alentejano”
Christmas Market
A Christmas market will be taking place every day at Jardim 1º de Dezembro in front of the TEMPO theatre, open from 5pm to 8pmon weekdays and 3pm and 8pm on weekends.
Santa’s House
Santa’s House will also be open to visits at Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes every day from 10am to 7pm, except for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when it will close earlier at 4pm.
The new shop offers a selection of cured hams, Portuguese wines and small delicacies to please the most demanding palates
– September 5, 2022
Located inside Portimão’s Municipal Market, the Presuntaria do Mercado opened its doors to the public in August. The gourmet shop is the first of its kind in the region, focusing on serving top-quality, 100% acorn-fed Iberian ham sliced using a special Beher knife, Spain’s leading cured ham producer, boasting almost a century of history and products recognised around the world.
The superior quality of this Spanish brand’s hams results from its complete control of the production process, from rearing the Iberian pigs, fed exclusively on acorns, to the preparation and curing method.
The shop offers freshly sliced ham and a selection of premium Portuguese wines, handpicked to be paired with the hams, for take-away or to be savoured on the spot. The shop also includes a small delicatessen shop, where other gourmet products, such as biscuits and olive oils, can be found.
A calendar of wine tastings and other gourmet events will soon be announced, and an Algarve-wide home delivery service was launched in September.
The new shop is also participating in this year’s edition of the Rota dos Petiscos, from the September 14 until October 16.
Portimão welcomes Algarve no Copo Wine Event this August 25-28
– August 19, 2022
Portimão is hosting regional producers with their top beverages to promote regional drinks. Held in the city’s 1º de Dezembro garden, “Algarve noCopo” will allow visitors to taste some of the region’s most famed beverages and new creations, including wines, liqueurs, craft beers and juices.
Sponsored by Vinhos do Algarve and the Algarve Tourism Board, the four-day programme includes wine tasting sessions, mixology workshops with regional drinks, and musical entertainment. There will also be a choice of local delicacies to pair with each drink.
The event starts on Thursday (August 25) with a wine tasting session organised by the Algarve’s Wine Commission (CVA), followed by a performance by hip hop, electronics and jazz band Salamandra.
Sommeliere Andressa Noitel, founder of the Piccola Madame brand and wine educator at Eviva Wine School Algarve, will be in charge of the tastings on Friday and Saturday. Musical performances will be by Ferros & Accordeons (Friday and Sunday), the ISMAT university choir (IsmaTuna) and DJ Nuno Silva (both on Saturday).
August 25
7.30pm – CVA Wine Tasting
9.30pm – Musical performance by Samalandra
August 26
7.30pm – Wine tasting with Andressa Noitel
9.30pm – Musical performance by Ferros & Accordeons
August 27
7.30pm – Wine tasting with Andressa Noitel
9.30pm – Musical performance by IsmaTuna
10.30pm – DJ Nuno Silva
August 28
9.30pm – Musical performance by Ferros & Accordeons
Lota Cool Market brings together not only local bands, but also craftspeople, local businesses, food trucks, designers, and artists from a variety of backgrounds
– July 20, 2022
This month marks the return of the Lota Cool Market – the “coolest market in the south of Portugal” – to Portimão (Zona Ribeirinha) between July 21 and 24.
Taking place from 6pm to 1am inside and around the renovated riverside Lota building, the event will feature “eco-friendly” craftspeople, local businesses, food trucks, designers, and artists from a variety of backgrounds.
Among the confirmed food and drink-relatedcompanies taking part are Caipijoca’s, Rejoice, Rock n’ Doll, Le French Cookie, Polaroskas Street Food, Mosteiro das Hóstias, Aphrodite, A Escola do Gelado, Mini Donuts, Ginjola Alentejana and Kurtospt, as well as Lagar dos Pardieiros, Queijos Bilores and As Passinhas do Algarve.
Meanwhile, eco-friendly brands attending include Atelier Balancê, Aconchego, Wavi Art, Jewel Kat, Atelier das Jóias, Ponto Nato, Florista Suzel, Be Nature, Aummade, Ondas e Segmentos, Sun Bikinis, Cabaças do Amor, Pezinhos d’Algodão, Shyrénia’s Creations, Ildarte and Gagu Artesanato.
Event coordinator Nuno Vieira says that the theme will be “eCOOlogical vibes” in an attempt to raise awareness about sustainability and the importance of recycling and preserving natural resources.
There will also be local bands and artists performing. South Kick Band will be joined by “special guest” João Vila Nova on July 21, followed by The Voice Portugal finalist Gabriel de Rose on July 22, Os Mirandas on July 23 and Black Puzzle on July 24.
And to make sure there is something for visitors of all ages, there will also be bouncy castles and performances by the children’s theatre group Teatro Infantil de Portimão (TIPO).
Praia da Rocha beach in Portimão will take centre stage this weekend with the coming American Festival ‘Secret Project’, featuring some of the most renowned dance-music artists in the world
– June 15, 2022
The Algarve is entering summer in full swing, promising a set of different events for everyone. While Carvoeiro will be hosting the Black and White Summer Party, Portimão is preparing for its own beach party – the Secret Project -, an American festival featuring some of the most renowned dance-music artists in the world, which will be held for the first time in Praia da Rocha beach between Friday and Sunday (June 17-19).
The event will feature “heavy-hitters and globally renowned DJs from the dance music world” such as the techno titans Adam Beyer, Charlotte de Witte, Sven Väth, Richie Hawtin and Maceo Plex, alongside a wealth of drum and bass superstars: Chase & Status, Andy C, Shy FX, Sub Focus, and Dillinja to name just a few.
The artists will be performing on the sands of Praia da Rocha across three stages, from 4pm until late every day.
Tickets are still available and range from €69.50 for a single-day pass to €189 for a three-day pass and €229 for a three-day VIP pass and can be purchased onlinehere.
Follow Secret Project‘s Instagram for up-to-date information about the event.
The 22nd edition of Portimão’s Photography Race happens this May
– April 27, 2022
This 22nd edition of the Photography Race in the Algarve marks the return of the pre-Covid format of the competition whilst maintaining the online format introduced two years ago.
The traditional competition created by the municipality of Portimão is considered to be one of the most important competitions of the kind south of the Tejo River, in Lisbon, to promote and celebrate the creativity of photography enthusiasts.
This year’s themes will be about life: ‘The uncertainty of life’, ‘Resistance, resilience and survival’, ‘A fragile heritage’ and ‘Does it make me happy?’.
Contestants have the opportunity to participate in the in-person competition, which will take place between 9am and 9pm, on May 14, across the streets of Portimão city, or online.
Portimão Museum is accepting registrations for both editions until May 10 on its website. Contestants interested in participating in the online format can submit their photographs until June 25.
For more information, contact Portimão’s Museum (+351) 282 405 269 / 282 405 230, or via email corrida.fotografica@cm-portimao.pt.
Portimão’s first power station was built in 1916 and later became a fish market. Now, after renovation works, it will reopen to the public for the ‘Freedom Day’ celebrations of April 25
– April 22, 2022
The official inauguration of Portimão’s revamped fish market, commonly referred to as the ‘Lota’, will be the highlight of the town’s ‘Freedom Day’ celebrations on Monday, April 25.
The ceremony is scheduled for 10.30am at the building, which will be open to visits from the public all day.
The €960,000 renovation work carried out last year aimed to transform the building into a “dynamic and versatile space, prepared to host cultural projects, festivities, commemorations and events linked to local and regional traditions”.
Although the original traits of the building were preserved, the roof was replaced and its walls were strengthened. The revamped ground floor will be used as a multipurpose room, capable of hosting a variety of cultural events, while the back of the building was expanded with the construction of a cafeteria.
Improvements were also carried out to the building’s water, electricity and telecommunication networks, and several support rooms were also built on the ground floor and first floor, as well as restrooms.
The ‘Lota’ is located near the town’s old bridge over the Arade River, just a stone’s throw away from Portimão’s many riverside fish restaurants.
Built in 1916 to house the town’s first power station, the building was reconverted in the 50s and turned into a fish market. By the end of the 1980s, it was used to house sardine restaurants until it was finally abandoned.
Now, with its renovation work finally completed, it is expected to become animportant part of the town’s riverside charm.
In fact, the building will be put to use on the very day it will be inaugurated with the signing of contracts granting around €1.2 million-worth of council support to 105 local entities, from associations to sports clubs. The signing of the contracts will begin at 2pm.
But these are far from the only events that Portimão will host to celebrate ’25 de Abril’ – the date that a military coup was carried out in 1974, overthrowing Portugal’s authoritarian ‘Estado Novo’ regime.
Festivities will begin at Praça 1º de Maio in front of the town hall at 9am with the hoisting of the Portuguese flag followed by a performance of the national anthem by the Banda da Sociedade Filarmónica Portimonense and Fanfarra dos Bombeiros Voluntários de Portimão.
At 9.30am, a mural depicting this year’s ’25 de Abril’ celebrations in Portimão will be unveiled on Rua Teófilo Braga by local artist Jéssica Martins.
Two days before the national holiday, an exhibition of paintings entitled ‘Raízes’ by artist Margarida Tengarrinha will be unveiled at 5pm at Portimão Museum, where it will remain on display until June 26.
Meanwhile, Portuguese singer Janita Salomé will perform a free concert on April 24 at the town’s riverside, at 9.30pm.
Portimão will also host its usual ‘Corrida da Liberdade’ (Freedom Run) on April 25 at 10am along the riverside. Those interested in signing up should contact the Algarve Athletics Association (+351 289 824 946 | aaalgarve@mail.telepac.pt).
Portimão’s TEMPO Theatre features an Easter Concerto by the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra this April 16
– April 11, 2022
This April 16, enjoy an Easter Concert by the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra (Orquestra Sinfónica do Algarve), taking place at the Portimão’s TEMPO theatre at 7pm. The Algarve Symphonic Orchestra is a recent project, whose debut concert took place in October 2021.
The concert’s programme will be focusing on various themes and composers, featuring compositions from the French Bizet to the German Mendelssohn, through the Mexican Arturo Márquez and the Argentine Alberto Ginastera, presenting a rich and eclectic program directed by Maestro Armando Mota featuring the violinist soloist João Pedro Cunha.
Tickets cost €15 and can be purchased here (https://tempo.bol.pt).
The International Dance Festival happens this Saturday, March 26 at the Portimão Arena
– March 25, 2022
Academia Dança Mais will once again hold the Portimão International Dance Festival in partnership with Portugal Dance Academy and this year, included in the March Jovem programme.
This event will bring to the city of Portimão dancers, teachers and juries from north to south of the country, with the presence of several international names in all these spheres.
The event, which up until now has been exclusively for Ballroom Dancing, will now feature competitions in other styles, including Urban, Contemporary, Modern Dance and others.
The qualifications will be up until 2.00 pm and the Finals until 8.00 pm.
The venue will also provide with social gathering places, cafeteria service and several options of snacks and hot dishes.
Tickets start at €5 and can be purchased at Academia Dança Mais, Museu de Portimão and Portimão Arena.
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 EMARPreception 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.
The beach boardwalk in Praia da Rocha is undergoing a complete replacement and will feature 50 new light posts and free public Wifi
– February 11, 2022
Portimão Council has revealed that the replacement of Praia da Rocha’sbeach boardwalk is moving along at a “good pace”.
Costing over €1 million, the project involves the complete replacement of the entire boardwalk, which was built around 16 years ago and was growing increasingly rundown. Some sections were even missing wooden boards and posing risks to those using it.
The Praia da Rocha boardwalk is also being equipped with LED lighting, making it “safer and more pleasant” for a nighttime stroll as well as for clients of restaurants located along the boardwalk. Says the council, a total of 50 light posts (measuring five metres) are being set up along the boardwalk.
New and “more resilient” wooden boards – which are expected to be more resistant to the elements of the area, located just a few hundred metres away from the sea – are being used to build the new boardwalk in Praia da Rocha beach in Portimão.
The project also includes the installation of a public Wi-Finetwork which will provide free internet access to anyone in the area.
“Since it was inaugurated in 2006, the Praia da Rocha boardwalk has been used a lot by residents and tourists for their leisurely walks or to reach the several restaurants along its path. It is also used frequently during the night, especially in spring and summer,” the local council says.
A deadline for the works has not been revealed by the local council, although the boardwalk will likely be ready by springtime.
Praia da Rocha is a sprawling beach in Portimão which is also popular for its restaurants, bars and vibrant nightlife, particularly during the summer.
The sixth edition will begin on Saturday (January 29) at 7pm with a performance by H4nds Duo, featuring pianists António Luís Silva and Tiago Nunes, who will be playing pieces by several renowned composers including Schubert, Dvořák, Gluck, Piazzola and Zequinhade Abreu.
“The geographic diversity of the composers selected” aims to take listeners on a journey and pay homage to the resilience of everyone who was prevented from travelling in recent years due to the pandemic.
The second concerto will take place on Sunday, February 5, featuring Kosovo-born pianist Mrika Sefa, an award-winning musician who frequently works together with artists from all over Europe including Portuguese maestro Martim Sousa Tavares from the Orquestra Sem Fronteiras (Orchestra Without Borders).
South-Korean pianista Youngho Park will make his debut at the festival on Sunday, March 5, for a solo performance. Park has performed all over the world, having won several awards and contests, and performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, the Gunpo Philharmonic Orchestra and Seoul National University Philharmonic Orchestra.
The string of shows will continue Sunday, April 9 when Argentine pianist Pablo Lapidusas will take the main stage at TEMPO. Lapidusas began his piano studies in Brazil, where he went on to perform alongside a multitude of musicians, from the Canadian OrchestraI Musici de Montréal to the band of Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2. He has already recorded two albums and performed live in 20 countries, taking the stage at massive festivals such as Rock in Rio, Montreux Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Summer Stage (held at New York’s Central Park), Lollapalooza, Roskilde, Nice Jazz Festival, Pori Jazz Festival and Back to Black.
Twofinal concertos are planned for May, with the Algarve Symphonic Orchestra (which took to the stage for the first time in October) due to perform on May 6 with maestro Armando Mota conducting. Performing with the orchestra will be Leonardo Hilsdorf, described as one of the best up-and-coming Brazilian pianists. Hilsdorf was a young soloist-in-residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium for two years under the direction of his current mentor, Maria João Pires.
Last but not least, the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra will perform on Friday, May 20, led by maestro Adrian Leaper and accompanied by soloist João Rosado.
Additional Information
Tickets cost between €20 and €25 and can be purchased online at www.tempo.bol.pt or at TEMPO’s ticket office between Tuesday and Saturday from 1pm to 6pm or on the nights of the concerts.
The February 5, March 5 and March 9 performances will beginat 7pm, whilst the May 6 and May 20 concertos are scheduled for 9pm.
Created by Dutch artist Eric de Bruijn, “Ana Ana” is a unique space where art and hospitality come together in multiple forms
– December 7, 2021
Imagine a home where a creative studio, an art gallery, large entertaining spaces, and comfy guest rooms coexist in a peaceful urban setting. This is Ana Ana, Eric de Bruijn’s artistic habitat.
Once an industrial building, now a serene oasis
Located close to the riverfront in Portimão, this 500sqm building was initially set to be a family home and art studio. The vast rooms with tall ceilings were ideal for Eric’s large canvases and the bedrooms sufficient to host his family. But when COVID hit, and a lockdown was imposed, the Dutch painter decided to reinvent the space. What was once an industrial building was lovingly transformed into a serene oasis. This fluid home, in constant change, is a remarkable resting place filled with bright natural light and unique art pieces, curated and designed by the artist, making Ana Ana one of a kind.
A place to immerse yourself in Art
“The house got a lot of tender loving care,” says the soft-spoken Dutchman, who opened the doors of his multipurpose home to give art lovers the chance to stay in what can be seen as a work of art in progress. “It’s still a working studio today, but can be different tomorrow,” he explains. Eric’s assistant, Marta, knows she must expect the unexpected. “Very often, I come in after the weekend, and things have changed, again,” she remarks. “Sometimes, he sells art pieces from the residence’s walls, and we need to replace them.”
Ana Ana is now a comfortable and spacious setting where guests can stay and immerse themselves in art. However, when it is not rented out, Eric lives here. It is where he comes to life, it represents who he is, and that is why he chose its name. “Ana Ana means ‘it’s me’ or ‘that’s who I am’, in Arabic,” he explains.
This space truly reflects Eric’s style, which he describes as balanced, light, inviting but also comfortable, tasteful and honest. “It’s a plural space where you will find art in many forms, from exhibitions to gastronomic events, pop-up concepts or artistic residences; anything can happen.”
Portugal, a place of inspiration for new artists
The Dutch artist, creative director and interior designer moved to the Algarve in 2006, thinking he would only stay for a year. Fifteen years later, he is still here and has no regrets. “What can I say, I love Portugal, and I love the people,” he exclaims. A passion that has led him to work with many local and national artisans to champion their work. On top of producing furniture in the north of Portugal, together with Marta, he is creating a line of furniture and objects to tell Ana Ana’s story.
He is currently also working on four interior design projects in the Algarve and others in Holland, such as a beautiful restaurant that opened last June in Nijmegen. “Hospitality is very important for me,” he insists as he reveals he is also building a small Ana Ana in Lagoa for two people.
Persian-style carpets, rustic furniture and large paintings: the scene is perfectly designed to host warm and friendly gatherings
Born in The Netherlands, where his parents had a hotel, Eric has always been a keen host. After exhibitions, he loves to cook for his guests, “to share beautiful things with interesting people”. This is why the house offers spaces for big gatherings, such as a large dining room and a sitting room with lots of white sofas, Persian-style carpets and a large rustic wooden coffee table, complemented with quirky glass-front cabinets. Another sitting room, with a huge corner sofa and pieces of art lining the walls, is the perfect spot for intimate conversations over a glass of wine or two.
There is also an opportunity to experience Ana Ana in a closer setting
The fully equipped house can be rented year-round. With its five bedrooms and studio, it can sleep up to 12 guests. Designed and curated to make guests feel good, the bedrooms are almost like cocoons. The atmosphere is light and airy with wooden shutters, spacious areas, and comfy furniture with oversized cushions. Polished cement, white floorboards or traditional Algarvian terracotta tiles are the natural materials chosen for the floors.
The villa is split into two separate units — a townhouse and a studio — along with an art gallery. On the townhouse’s ground floor, guests can spread out in an open space which includes the gallery and a kitchen and Eric’s studio (which is available to rent at an extra cost). On the second floor, there are four double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, as well as a fabulous rooftop terrace with a lounge and dining area and a firepit. This ample space is ideal for yoga retreats, which Eric and Marta will soon be organising.
Ana Ana also features an exceptional patio with its own black swimming pool. Surrounded by earthy pink walls lined with cacti, this interior courtyard gives off a mix of Moroccan and Mexican vibes. This unique home is definitely made for photoshoots and has been chosen by several brands such as Zara Home, adding yet another layer of creativity to this artistic habitat.
Two entrepreneurial brothers are elevating the local seafood scene with a brand New Gastrobar based in their former family home
– December 3, 2021
Portimão will become an authentic Christmas Village, with the recreation of several attraction areas inspired by the festive season, crossing the Christmas universe with fantasy moments for the whole family, between December 1 and January 6.
Under the motto “Portimão, a Christmas Dream” (“Portimão, Um Sonho de Natal”), 37 days of pure magic will be provided, with unique experiences in several emblematic places in the city centre, in which the Christmas spirit will especially touch the imagination of the little ones, with emphasis on the Santa’s House, the Ice Rink, the full-size Nativity Scene, the Christmas Train or the colourful and joyful parades, among many other suggestions.
Ice rink, Christmas train, swings and more
Taking over public spaces, and in addition to the usual large Nativity Scene that will once again occupy Largo da Mó, a 200m2 ice rink will work in a tent installed in Praça da República, which can be used every afternoon, after 2pm and until 7pm, opening on weekends between 11am and 7pm, always with free access.
Plenty of daily entertainment will take place in the same tent, with musical moments, illusionism sessions and theatrical scrimmages, which will normally start at 7pm, with special mention for the shows for the school community during the week of December 13-17, starting at 10.30am.
Meanwhile, boys and girls will be able to visit the Santa’s House (Casa do Pai Natal) in Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes, from 11am to 7pm, where they can also write a letter with their Christmas wishes, which they should place in a special mailbox.
A photographer will be available at the site to capture these magical moments for free, and the photos will be available for picking up soon after at TEMPO – Teatro Municipal de Portimão (Municipal Theater of Portimão).
Next door, the Francisco Bivar garden will become home to the Baloiços do Beijo (Kiss Swing) and the Baloiço do Abraço (Hugs Swing), while at the top of the access stairs to Jardim 1º de Dezembro, in front of the Municipal Theatre of Portimão, there will be a giant bench and three attractions where the families can capture sweet photos.
Finally, the Christmas Train will be the ideal means of transportation to discover all the existing entertainment areas in a fun way and will make several daily trips between Praça da República and Manuel Teixeira Gomes, also with free access.
Santa Claus themed parades
Throughout this period, thematic parades will be a constant on the main streets of Portimão, as will happen on December 4 (Circus “Circo Fantástico”), 8 (Alice in Wonderland), 11 (Clowns Parade), 18 (Ice Princess) and December 24 (Christmas Dream), with lots of live music and characters alluding to children’s imaginary and to the circus universe.
Likewise, Santa Claus and his elves will be constantly present on the main streets of Portimão, with daily parades between 10am and 12.30pm and from 3pm to 5pm.
Between December 1-23, there will be a Christmas Market in Jardim 1º de Dezembro, made up of wooden huts for small craft, new design and gourmet products, all honouring the festive season.
This space will be open from Monday to Friday between 5pm and 8pm, while on weekends and holidays it can be visited from 3pm to 8pm.
To help with the festive atmosphere, on December 8 and 20, CMTV (a major Portuguese news on channel 8) will broadcast the popular programme “Manhã CM” (CM Morning) live from the tent located in Praça da República, between 9am and 11am, with a presentation by Duarte Siopa and Ágata Rodrigues.
In both broadcasts, the country will discover Portimão’s Christmas Dream, as well as other points of interest, with the presence of several of the municipality’s best known names, with everyone invited to watch the broadcasts live.
All activities in “Portimão, Um Sonho de Natal” are free to enter and will respect the safety regulations in place, namely the use of masks, social distancing and hand sanitation.
The detailed schedule of these 37 days full of magical motifs for children and adults can be found here.
“Alice in Wonderland” and “Panda and the Caricas on the Island”
In addition, there will be two large shows aimed at children and with paid admission, the first of which, scheduled for December 11, City Day, will be the musical “Panda and the Caricas on the Island”, which will take place in Portimão Arena, with performances at 11am and 3pm.
Finally, the theatrical show “Alice in Wonderland”, aimed at people over 3 years old, is scheduled for 4pm on December 18 at TEMPO.
You can purchase tickets for both shows at bol.pt.
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
Portimão’s Algarve International Racetrack has been officially confirmed as the venue for the F1 Heineken Grand Prix Portugal between October 23 and 25
The confirmation has been widely celebrated as the kind of good news the region has been desperately waiting to hear.
Portimão Mayor Isilda Gomes said at a press conference to officially announce the long-awaited return of Formula 1 racing to Portugal after a 24-year absence that the event could be a life-saver for the regional economy. Estimates about how much money the event will generate have varied. At least €30 million seems to be the ‘worst-case scenario’, although some believe revenue could top €100 million.
Spectator numbers are still being decided, but at least 5,000 people are expected to be in the stands, with the possibility of the number increasing to 50,000 (around half of the racetrack’s capacity). Tickets are already available on the racetrack’s website.
What’s certain is that the announcement has brought a ray of hope to a region that has been bombarded by the negative effects of the pandemic. Indeed, local leaders are stressing that Portimão (and the Algarve) would not have been chosen as the venue for such a huge sports event if it weren’t a safe destination. They believe the event will actually play a huge role in convincing foreigners to come here.
“We are expecting this month of October to compare to the month of July in 2019,” Isilda Gomes told reporters. “We are a tourism destination of excellence, which is why we have to show the world our potential. The Formula 1 race will give us unparalleled international exposure. I am certain we will host a great race in Portimão because the Algarve has known how to control the pandemic. That is why we are here today receiving this medal of honour, which is restoring self-esteem to the Portuguese and especially the people of the Algarve during these terrible times,” she said.
But the dream doesn’t end in 2020. The mayor wants Portimão to become a regular venue for F1 racing. “We will work to keep this dream going and have this become an impactful event for those who visit us,” she said. The mayor also praised the role of the racetrack’s CEO Paulo Pinheiro, who she said worked tirelessly to bring this major event to the Algarve, and stressed that the region’s racetrack is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.
Meantime, the racetrack’s CEO said that the goal of bringing an F1 race to the Algarve was a “life-long dream” which has come true. “The racetrack was built with the goal of hosting an F1 race, which happened during the most unthinkable year,” said Paulo Pinheiro. He also stressed how the racetrack was able to impose its own conditions. “We chose the date, the conditions we wanted, everything. It would have been easier to host a race with no spectators on a date that wouldn’t be ideal. But that wasn’t our goal. We felt we needed to use our arguments that Portugal is in a better sanitary situation than most of Europe, that we have a better racetrack than others, that the Algarve has unmatchable conditions,” Pinheiro said.
Meanwhile, the Algarve’s tourism boss has celebrated the news as a “well-deserved prize for the region”.
“We are clearly satisfied and proud of this decision. Bringing an international event of this size to the Algarve was something we have wanted for a long time,” João Fernandes, president of the Algarve tourism board (RTA) and tourism association (ATA), said this week. “This is, without a doubt, a very positive sign of confidence for the region.”
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa celebrated the long-awaited return of Formula 1 racing to Portugal and stressed the “international attention” that the event will generate for the country and the region. He also commented on how the decision to bring an F1 race here proves that the Algarve is considered safe enough to host such a huge event. “Nobody makes a decision like this lightly,” he said.
Almost a month since A Bola sports newspaper broke the story that Portimão’s Algarve International Autodrome (AIA) would be hosting the first Formula One races in decades, the news has been ‘confirmed’, says the paper, with the 26th Portuguese Grand Prix set for October 4.
An official announcement “will be made very soon”.
Say reports, Portugal ‘won through’ after races were cancelled in Montreal, Canada, due to the pandemic.
The last time Portugal hosted Formula 1 was in 1996, in Estoril.
The AIA has been gunning for this opportunity for years. It will be a ‘dream come true’, the autodrome’s CEO Paulo Pinheiro has said.
The 2020 season started in Austria last weekend. The Portuguese races promise to be the 11th in a long line of fixtures due to close in Abu Dhabi in December, writes Rádio Renasença.
What it will mean in terms of ‘visitor attraction’ remains to be seen – but after the catastrophic start to the summer season, this looks like being very welcome news.
Our neighbouring city Portimão has found its place on the map and will be hosting hundreds of sporting events to honour their European City of Sport status. Earlier this year, the opening event attracted over 4,000 people along with several of Portugal’s most iconic athletes, including former Olympic champion Rosa Mota, who is one of the ambassadors of the project; world champion motorcyclist Miguel Praia; and windsurfer Miguel Martinho. Paralympic athlete Jorge Pina, sailors Luís Brito and Beatriz Gago, surfers Frederico Magalhães, Francisco Canelas, João Bracourt and Gustavo Gouveia and taekwondo fighter Rafaela Araújo were also in attendance.
One of the highlights of the event was the “biggest video-mapping event that has ever been held in Portugal”. For those who might not know, video mapping is a way of projecting imagery onto a surface, making virtually any object into a screen. “We want the people of Portimão to see regular physical activity as a benefit to their health and wellbeing so that they will be happier in the town they live in,” said mayoress, Isilda Gomes. “Portimão is synonymous with sports and has every chance to be so even more.”
This year, Portimão will be hosting over 600 sports event and welcoming around 40,000 athletes. The first big event took place on February 20, when the town hosted a stage of the ‘Volta ao Algarve’ cycling competition, which also passed through Carvoeiro on February 22. Between April 20 and May 5, the town will be hosting the Windsurfing World Championships, and the European Ultimate Frisbee Championship will be held from May 6 to 11 around the same time as the Open de Portugal golf tournament (May 9-12) at Morgado. A few days later, the town will host the UIM F1H2O World Championship, the world’s most important powerboat competition (May 17-19).
There are free sporting events all year long in the Algarve, where fun runs are becoming popular, and the local councils are creating recreational parks for people to go outside and get fit. You will find a good example of one of these in Lagoa, where they have constructed a running track around an exercise course beside the roundabout, next to Jumbo supermarket. The Fontes in Estômbar also has an open-air fitness course that is open and free to use all year long.
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.”
Hovertrack Portugal brings three fabulous hovercrafts to Portimão
Some people take the expression “New Year, new beginnings” to a whole new level and it’s safe to say that for Nuno and Fernanda Mourão, opening their dream, Hovertrack Portugal, on December 31, 2016 fits that phrase perfectly.
The first of its kind in Portugal, with three hovercrafts on site and an ever- changing track, the hovertrack has been purposebuilt and the business has taken over three years of bureaucratic blood, sweat and tears to finally come to fruition. Inside Magazine took the opportunity to visit Hovertrack Portugal a few weeks after opening to meet the people who made it happen and try out the hovercrafts for ourselves. We set off from Carvoeiro taking the pretty, scenic drive up towards the Autódromo do Algarve (Algarve Racetrack) and around 20 minutes later we came across the large sign for Hovertrack Portugal on the right-hand side. Glad that we decided to drive there by car rather than bike, we went offroad, down the dirt track towards the reception cabin where we met the lovely Nuno and Fernanda.
They showed us around the three, 300m tracks, which consist of both dry and wet areas with varying degrees of elevation and levels of difficulty to suit both novice and experienced pilots (drivers). Nuno told us: “It is different to anything anyone has ever driven or tried to drive.”
We headed back to the reception where we watched an informative orientation/instruction video to acquaint ourselves with the machines, along with basic operating techniques and a quick safety briefing. We were then ready to put on our protective overalls
and helmets and walked back to the track where the three, bright red and yellow hovercrafts were sitting.
Nuno explained: “The machines have 600cc, 17kw, four-stroke petrol engines that power the fans, lifting them off the ground and use pressurised air to keep them afloat.”
It’s pretty strange, but a lot of fun, when you start up the craft and the “tyre” fills with air – it’s a bit like riding a floating
quad bike, if you can imagine that … Steering is not as straight forward as you might imagine and the hovercrafts can pick up some speed as they glide over land and water, but they are actually very safe as the moment you take your hand off the throttle the skirt (tyre) deflates and the craft stops.
There are members of staff at various points on the track to guide and assist the pilot as and when they may need it. You can navigate the track at a leisurely pace if that’s your preference or, for the more adrenalineminded speed lovers out there, you can accelerate around the course and pick up some real momentum.
We asked Nuno and Fernanda how they came up with this unique idea and an animated Fernanda explained that this is in fact her husband’s childhood dream come true: “Nuno always loved engines, ever since he was a child. When he was young, he saw a hovercraft championship on TV – it must have been around 1994 – and he never forgot it.”
Nuno grew up working in mechincal engineering and spent a few years as a manager at the neighbouring Kartódromo do Algarve (Algarve Go-kart Track) where he could combine his love of engines and enjoy racing on the track.
When we asked the couple how they came up with the idea, they both smiled and Nuno told us that they were sitting at home thinking about track racing and what they could do in that area, they looked at each other and in unison said “hovercraft”.
The original project was pitched to a scheme called Portugal 2020, a partnership between the Portuguese and the European Commissions, with huge investment funding for the future. Unfortunately, the application wasn’t successful, but by this point they had invested so much time and energy into the business plan and could visualise Nuno’s childhood dream, that they took the brave decision to proceed alone.
The investment so far, has been considerable: finding the land, attaining the appropriate planning permissions and licences, creating the tracks, buying the hovercrafts and putting themselves on the map. Of course, as the business develops there will be a need to purchase more hovercrafts, change the track and the couple has some new and exciting ideas and they are involved in discussions to reactivate the championship races again with the help of local councils.
We did a 30-minute session, which was thoroughly enjoyable and plan on going back with a group. Prices are inclusive of
safety/instruction briefing, protective clothing and equipment, tuition and time in the hovercraft.
The couple has kindly extended a 10% discount to Inside Magazine readers with the regular prices being €45 for 20 minutes,
€60 for half an hour, €90 for 45 minutes and €115 for an hour | www.hovertrackportugal.com
Artist Rosário O’Neill was born in Portimão and has now returned to her hometown, where she has since opened an atelier, interior design studio and shop, in the heart of the city centre shopping area, with good friend and colleague, Maurícia Patrício. Having gained a degree in economics and entered the professional world, Rosário began to find a little spare time and was able to join a painting group with friends, in 2008. Her natural instincts and love of restoration pushed her towards finding a creative style, experimenting with materials and techniques, which are now clear to see in both the ‘Rosário O’Neill’ and ‘Eastlondon’ collections.
Back in 2010, Rosário felt strongly motivated to start exhibiting her works, and decided to dedicate most of her time creating exclusive and original pieces.
Painting on canvas was the original focus, depicting her very distinctive style where history and modern day combine to tell a story. Rosário explains: “I like the parody of old and new creating a unity and bringing historic moments in line with the present day. I feel a real connection with the past.” Many of the pieces on display in the Portimão studio are created with fabulous old clothes trunks, which have been lovingly restored, before Rosário’s paintings are placed inside them and various finishing touches are applied, ranging from lamps and display cabinets to bars. The trunks are sourced
from antique fairs, bric-a-brac shops and online. “Imagine where these trunks have been. What they have ‘seen’. This is what attracted me to them in the first place. They fit perfectly with my artistic ethos. I’ve found some absolutely amazing trunks that still have their original packaging labels on them, which are a real find and add to the authenticity of the final piece,” Rosário explains
Rosário spends a lot of time finding and restoring the wonderful antique items that become a part of her art.
“I’m always buying things on my travels and have a habit of picking up used common objects and putting them into storage. I know I will use them someday. They are subsequently transformed through painting and other mixed techniques, thus allowing them to have a new soul and enhance their characteristics. The aim is to create a special reference, with a bold personality and enable constant interaction with their surroundings,” Rosário reveals.
In 2014, Rosário was invited to exhibit in Milan, showing her work in an international exhibition, which was attended by several art curators and critics. Her works were well received and considered amongst the latest contemporary trends in mixed media art.
Progressing on her artistic journey, as the only Portuguese artist at the event, Rosário was invited to exhibit at one of the world’s most important contemporary art events – the London Art Biennale, in January 2015. In October 2015, Rosário showed her collection at the Florence Biennale, while in April 2016, invited by a prestigious New York gallery, her works were present at ArtExpo 2016, in New York City.
Rosário’s works are now starting to be recognised abroad, through several commissioned exhibits and international contemporary events.
ArtExpo, in New York City, was the backdrop for a series of six paintings, “Light Shadow” and “Post-modern State I, II, III, IV e V”. “Light Shadow” is a dark piece, which is based on a blend of the legend of Romulus and Remus and Christianity in Roman times, contrasted with a young modern-day lady, capturing the view on her mobile phone. The five pieces making up “Post-modern State” are of a much lighter subject matter and jovial nature, depicting a young, modern man dressed as Charlie Chaplin, going about his modern-day life, and featuring references to Apple, McDonald’s and the obligatory modern accessory, a smart phone. While these paintings are classic Rosário O’Neill,
“Light Shadow” sees her style evolving. Eastlondon is a new project, which, ultimately, complements the artist’s technique, but which takes her passion to another level.
“You will notice that the east side of major cities are usually the creative hubs, a place where things usually progress a little later, by their geographical nature and where the sun rises. I think this is why artists congregate in the east side. Eastlondon, for me, is the essence of what I love, combining old and new and creating a functional, bespoke piece that will improve in its surroundings and ultimately make an impression on whoever views it.
My latest creations include a vintage clarinet, which I restored and created an acrylic lamp base to cradle it, which is topped by a modern lampshade; a distressed goatskin fireplace chair, wrapped in gold leaf; a huge ornate chandelier and an acrylic case, containing a suspended painting,” Rosário tells us.
Her work is bound for a solo exhibition in New York in 2018, but for now, you can find it at MP “Interior Concept”, at Rua Vicente Vaz das Vacas 41A, Portimão.
www.rosariooneill.com
Text MIA WALLACE
Photos MIA WALLACE & ROSARIO O’NEILL
