Eleven artists, one shared theme, and the right opportunity – the CERCICA Estoril Open exhibition is now open to visitors at Hospital da Luz Lisboa and will soon be on display at the Millennium Estoril Open venue, which begins on 18 July. The exhibition is the result of a partnership with CERCICA, a social institution that supports people with special educational needs, as well as children, young people and adults with disabilities and impairments, in some cases accompanying their growth and development throughout their lives. Several years ago, the Millennium Estoril Open organisation challenged CERCICA’s adult students to create artistic works using sports equipment that was no longer needed by the tournament . Under the guidance of teacher Daniela Lisboa Gomes, they have since been transforming these materials into unique pieces of art. This year, as Daniela Lisboa Gomes explains, “we worked with damaged materials, such as tennis balls and nets, recycling them and making this project highly sustainable as well.” She adds: “Each piece is also shaped exclusively by what makes sense to these artists, reflecting their personal interests and passions.” The result of “several months of intense and highly challenging work,” as teacher Daniela explains, is a rich and diverse exhibition in terms of styles, colours and techniques. The exhibition will be on display in the indoor garden of Hospital da Luz Lisboa until the end of August and, from 18 to 26 July, at the Millennium Estoril Open venue. The artworks can be purchased at Hospital da Luz Lisboa and at the Millennium Estoril Open venue , by contacting marketing@cercica.pt or calling +351 917 769 365 . All proceeds from sales go directly to the artists. This is the second time that Hospital da Luz has partnered with the organisers of Portugal’s largest tennis tournament in this social responsibility initiative. This year, Pedro Líbano Monteiro, Executive Board Member of Hospital da Luz Lisboa, visited the studio where the artists were completing their works and said he was “impressed by the quality of the pieces.” The exhibition is curated by Daniela Lisboa Gomes, with Carlos Teixeira serving as assistant curator and production support provided by Sofia Roquette and Catarina Alves. The participating artists are: Artur Pinto, Cátia Rita, Clara Apolónia, Filipe Cerqueira, Inês Gomes, João Carlos Pereira, Jorge Belo, José Jorge Monteiro, Nuno Lopes, Osvaldo Miel and Patrícia Madeira.
