Lagoa’s historic winery is to house a second art gallery as of this month.
Following the opening of Galeria na Adega in May in the grounds of the Adega Cooperativa de Lagoa, gallery managers Arte Algarve are now developing another project with the winery to open a second art gallery but this time within its cellars.
On a tour of the premises, the Algarve Resident was given a preview of the area to be transformed into a unique cultural space, bringing together art and wine.
Arte Algarve president Rolf Osang, a German resident for many years, explained the concept behind the new Galeria Arte Algarve: “Wine is also art, so we came up with the idea of opening an art gallery within Lagoa’s historical winery. It’s not just another art gallery but a different cultural space that the Algarve needed.
“The region needs more art galleries as there are many artists and art lovers and few places to exhibit the work.”
Rolf Osang says the Algarve has excellent weather conditions and a natural light that does not exist in any other country in Europe.
However, “there is a lack of initiative by the authorities in culture departments. They should develop better relations with art gallery owners and associations in order to develop art in the region”.
The ambitious project, which is due to open on July 9, is expected to strengthen the concept of wine and art as visitors will be able to admire the works on show while trying the wines produced by Adega Cooperativa de Lagoa.
“The new gallery project will be based around a specific concept, which includes experimental art and exhibitions that were never shown in any gallery in the Algarve. It will be the largest art gallery in the region with about 1,400sqm over several distinct rooms.
“The new venue will smell of wine and will not have that chic gallery feel. We wanted it to be simple so that people can feel the art and what it has to give.”
He added: “Each exhibition will run for three months and starts with an exhibition of artistic nude photography called Naked in the Algarve. Ninety photographs, taken in the Algarve between 2005 and 2011 by well known photographers of Czech nationality, will be on show.”
Galeria Arte Algarve will also be showing, at the same time but in another room, an exhibition of the works of 30 national and international artists.
Plans for the fourth Arte Algarve international art fair are also underway. To be held from October 7 to 9, the fair will see up to 80 artists presenting their works at the new gallery.
For more information, please call 282 913 130 or 925 004 051, or email arte@artealgarve.net. Alternatively, visit Arte Algarve at www.artealgarve.net.
