On Friday, July 11, the Museu do Traje de São Brás de Alportel will host the opening exhibition of the 8th Sovereign Art Foundation Students Prize Portugal, showcasing the incredible artwork of thirty talented student finalists. This special exhibition will be held exclusively during the ‘Latin Wave’ concert, offering visitors a rich cultural experience that blends visual art and live music.
All secondary school students across Portugal were invited to participate. The Prize aims to inspire, encourage, and reward young artists, promote cultural development, and raise funds for charitable causes.
All featured artworks are available for purchase via silent auction and proceeds from the auction will be shared between the student artists and Associação SAF, the Foundation’s Portugal-based branch. Details can be seen at SovereignArtFoundation.com
The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) is a non-profit organisation and registered charity founded in 2003 in Hong Kong. Its mission is to celebrate contemporary art talent and to deliver the proven benefits of expressive arts to underprivileged children. Since 2012, SAF has organized Students Prizes to highlight the vital role of art in education and to acknowledge the high quality of work produced by young creatives.
To date, SAF has raised over US$14 million for artists and charities around the world, supporting art education initiatives in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. In Portugal, the Prize serves as a platform to fund free expressive arts programmes for children experiencing trauma, economic hardship, or special education needs. Workshops are currently held in Estremoz, with expansion planned for Lisbon and the Algarve, all led by qualified professionals who help children build self-confidence, process emotions, and connect through creativity.
Following the São Brás de Alportel exhibition, the artwork will be shown at Howard’s Folly in Estremoz from August 1 to October 31, and subsequently at the Sociedade Nacional das Belas Artes in Lisbon from November 26 to December 13. In Lisbon, the student finalists will exhibit alongside the finalists of the Professional Art Prize, now in its fourth year, which highlights some of Portugal’s most exciting contemporary artists. This offers a unique opportunity for student artists to gain visibility within the professional art world.
Winners of the Judges’ Prize and Public Vote Prize will receive monetary awards, as will their schools. The public is warmly encouraged to vote for their favourite pieces either online or at the exhibitions.
Remarkably, the winners of the last two editions of the Sovereign Art Students Prize Portugal both went on to win the Global Students Prize, receiving top honours from an international panel of judges—a testament to the exceptional talent emerging from Portugal’s youth.
Tickets are priced at €10 (€8 for Amigos Members) and can be purchased through Amigos do Museu by calling 966 329 073 or emailing admin@amigosdomuseu.com
