When Canadian entrepreneur-turned-art-promoter Shelley Foley moved to the Algarve in 2017, she thought she was retiring. The plan was to enjoy the sunshine, mingle with the local community and perhaps dabble in her lifelong passion for art. But just a few months after unpacking her suitcases, boredom – and inspiration – set in.
“I used to be an art collector and do it as a hobby,” Shelley tells the Resident. “But about three months after I moved here, I got bored.” With more time than ever to pursue her hobby, Shelley joined a local art class. “When I started painting – and I really sucked at it – or when I started visiting art shows, I noticed that the other artists didn’t make fun of me. They were all so welcoming,” she remarks. That’s when an idea started forming in her head.
“I’ve always ran my own companies, so I’m good at marketing, which many artists aren’t. So why not help them?” This idea developed into Art Lovers Algarve, an online platform launched in 2024 and dedicated to promoting local artists. What began as a small idea has now blossomed into a thriving community of over 60 creatives from across the region.
“A lot of artists aren’t businesspeople,” she explains. “So, I try to help them with promotion. I don’t need to make money; I have my pension. This is a labour of love, it really is.”
Shelley’s dedication to the local art community did not go unnoticed. Earlier this year, she was approached by John Ganhão, organiser of one of the Algarve’s biggest annual art events, Art Expo Algarve. After four years running the show, Ganhão wanted to retire from it to focus on his other businesses and asked Shelley if she would take over. “I thought about it for about 20 minutes,” she laughed. “Then I said, ‘OK!’”
Now, Shelley is busy preparing for the 2025 Art Expo Algarve, taking place between November 14 and 16 at Fissul in Silves. The event will showcase more than 60 artists from Portugal and abroad – an intentionally smaller, more curated selection than previous years, featuring everything from artists exhibiting acrylic and oil paintings to photographers, sculptors, and even one jeweller.
“It’s a really nice-sized show. One year they had around 200 artists,” Shelley explains. “I think there weren’t many sales because it was overloaded – people couldn’t take it all in.”
This year’s exhibition promises to be more interactive than ever. There will be a scavenger hunt which will challenge visitors to find a ladybug in one of the artworks. There will also be live music, a graffiti wall, a fashion show, and a charity auction in support of the local bombeiros (firefighters). Visitors can also browse an artist’s “cash and carry” store, offering affordable prints, cards, and small works.
“We really want people to engage with the art and the artists, instead of just walking around with their hands in their pockets,” Shelley says.
She’s also conscious of the economic differences between Portugal and North America. “In Canada, you can sell for three times the price. Here, I want to make things cost-effective because wages are lower. So, we have everything, from pieces under €100 to others worth €10,000.”
While she tried to organise the event on her own for a while, she quickly realised that she had to enlist help – an “amazing” organising committee, including artists Eric Roth, Nancy Whiteman, Mickey Craig, Melissa Burghardt, Vilma Vicente, art student Rosa van Eck, and patron Ilda Pinto.
“My Portuguese is terrible. I can say things like ‘Um copo de vinho tinto, por favor’ (A glass of red wine, please), but that’s about it,” she admits. “So having young Portuguese volunteers on the team has been a lifesaver.”
Around half of the artists taking part in Art Expo Algarve are members of Art Lovers Algarve, a platform which is open to all styles and skill levels, provided the work is created with integrity and doesn’t promote violence.
“I don’t judge the type of art – different people like different things,” she says. “If someone’s not quite ready yet, I’ll encourage them to keep going and try again later.”
Shelley’s efforts to grow Algarve’s art scene go far beyond one show. She has already registered the rights to Art Lovers Portugal, Art Lovers Europe, and even Art Lovers North America, hoping one day to take Portuguese art to the world stage.
Shelley’s passion took on deeper meaning after the passing of her husband in 2024. Channelling her energy into the art community became both a creative outlet and a way to keep busy.
“I love Portugal. It’s adopted me,” she says. “Portuguese culture is the most similar I know to Canadian culture – plus many of my neighbours back in London, Ontario, were Portuguese. So I’ve felt no culture shock. I want to become a citizen here and make sure I support the community I live in.”
At 72, Shelley isn’t slowing down. “There are so many amazing artists in the Algarve – like genuinely good artists – who need to be promoted. So I may keep doing it until I’m 90 and then pass it on. I keep saying 70 is the new 50!”
Art Expo Algarve takes place from November 14 to 16 at Fissul in Silves (Friday and Saturday: 11am-8pm | Sunday: 10am-6pm). Social media pages for Art Expo Algarve and Art Lovers Algarve are updated daily.
Open Media/Portugal Resident is proud to be the official media partner of Art Expo Algarve.
