The streets of Gata de Gorgos will once again become an open-air art gallery as Art al Vent returns for its 23rd edition. The event will bring together textile artists from around the world.
Running from 3 to 24 July, Art al Vent is widely regarded as Spain’s largest outdoor textile art exhibition. Dozens of handcrafted works will hang from balconies throughout the town centre.
New route through the town
This year’s exhibition will follow a different route while improvement works
continue on Calle la Bassa.
Visitors can walk from Plaza de la Iglesia along Calle Doctor Gómez Ferrer and Calle Constitució before reaching Plaza Nova.
Colourful textile artworks will once again decorate the balconies above the streets.
Organisers say they have carefully planned the revised layout to keep the exhibition easy to explore.
Artists from 17 countries
This year’s exhibition features 83 textile creations by artists from 17 countries.
Each piece has been designed for outdoor display. Together, they transform the historic streets into a unique open-air gallery that attracts thousands of visitors every summer.
Culture councillor Àngels Soler thanked the artists who continue to send work from around the world. She also praised local residents who allow the textiles to hang from their balconies.
Festival coordinator Josep Ginestar, from Gata’s Escola de Plàstica Experimental A. Vives, said the exhibition has grown significantly over its 23 editions. It now attracts an increasingly diverse range of artists and has helped establish Gata de Gorgos as an international reference for contemporary textile art.
He also highlighted the exhibition’s value for local businesses. Visitors regularly share photographs of the displays, helping introduce new audiences to the town.
More than an exhibition
Art al Vent will once again feature a programme of evening cultural events throughout July.
The schedule includes guided tours, talks and live music. Organisers hope the events will encourage residents and visitors to spend summer evenings exploring the town.
One of this year’s highlights is Teixint la Memòria (“Weaving Memory”). The multidisciplinary performance takes place in Plaza Nova on Saturday 11 July at 22:00.
The production combines visual art by Cristian Zurita and Paloma Gordián with choreography by dancer Moon and students from the Escola de Plàstica Experimental A. Vives.
The performance also celebrates Gata de Gorgos’ long tradition of llata, the local craft of weaving natural fibres by hand. It blends contemporary performance with one of the town’s best-known artisan traditions.
Opening ceremony
The official opening of Art al Vent takes place on Friday 3 July at 20:00 in Plaza de la Iglesia.
Organisers are inviting residents and visitors to attend the launch and enjoy three weeks of art, culture and summer activities at one of the Costa Blanca’s most distinctive cultural events.
