Exhibition “PALMA, ESPARTO E CANA”

Palm, esparto and sugarcane are typical raw materials of the artisanal production of the territory of Loulé, and were the starting point of a creative residency held in July and August 2025.

As part of the programs for the safeguarding and development of the traditional arts and crafts of the municipality, the initiative brought together twelve participants, from Portugal and Spain, experienced in manual work, who had the opportunity to learn new techniques and develop skills with local masters.

The process involved collecting the materials in the field, preparing and transforming them, and learning ancestral methods that have shaped utilitarian objects from the region for centuries. More than an introduction to traditional techniques, the training aimed for each participant to gain autonomy over the materials, then moving on to individual projects with the freedom to explore more artistic and experimental approaches.

The results, gathered here, reveal the contemporary potential of this heritage,
and above all the way in which territories offer sustainable resources, loaded with cultural significance, capable of making material production an active part in the balance
of ecosystems.

Venue: Palácio Gama Lobo

Patent until: November 21, 2026