The Millennium Estoril Open is not just a sporting event, and Hospital da Luz is not just the official medical service for athletes and the public who participate in this important national tennis tournament. This year, the two have a greater purpose: to bring together art and sport and transform these expressions of human capacity into tools for the inclusion of people with disabilities. A fusion that is being created by CERCICA and its artists. After months of work, the result is on display at the MILLENNIUM ESTORIL OPEN grounds and in the art gallery at Hospital da Luz Lisboa : a set of works of art created by people with intellectual disabilities, related to the theme of tennis, the proceeds of which will go directly to each of their authors. Carlos, who attended the opening of the CERCICA exhibition at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, already knows where the money he will receive will go: ‘I want a pair of sneakers. And a tracksuit.” And all branded, as the monitor who accompanied the work of this group of artists makes a point of highlighting. Diogo, in turn, prefers to explain that this was “a beautiful experience” and that he managed to create “a really cool painting.” Inês also liked the result of her work: “I improved my work at the Open and I hope to continue improving.” Daniela Gomes is the CERCICA monitor who has always been present – throughout the months of work and preparation of these works and, of course, at the opening of this exhibition at Hospital da Luz Lisboa. “ We were challenged to develop an artistic work that is related to tennis. And it has been an extremely enriching experience. We had a phase of work in the studio, where we worked on the theme. And then we could participate in the exhibition and go to the tournament. The fact that people can purchase the works is a great help for us and for the artists, who also receive payment for the work they do ,” she says, explaining: “We try to get visual references, we explore the theme by going to the internet, watching images and videos related to tennis, and then we try to understand what makes the most sense, what each artist wants to do and explore.” The exhibition of more than a dozen paintings and artistic creations that use different techniques and inspirations is the result of this work. A “truly extraordinary” work to which, as Luz Saúde CEO Isabel Vaz states, “Hospital da Luz is very proud to associate itself. Because these people, being different, make a difference.” “Transforming society so that it is more open to diversity and the inclusion of those who are different is a role that we must all play. That is why it is with great joy that we are exhibiting in our art gallery at Hospital da Luz Lisboa the extraordinary work that has been developed by all these artists and that represents exactly that: inclusion and a diverse meritocracy”, says Isabel Vaz, adding: “ This partnership between Hospital da Luz, MILLENNIUM ESTORIL OPEN and CERCICA is the perfect match for what we seek to achieve through our strategic social responsibility program: the art of sport and the art of painting with the purpose of including these young artists ”. She concludes: “It is cool to be here with them and their works, in this beautiful space at Hospital da Luz – this internal garden that we designed to open the hospital to the outside world and to the community. It couldn’t be better!”. This is the 3rd time that CERCICA has been at the Millennium Estoril Open. As the tournament director explained at the opening, “what we have done since the first year was to challenge artists to make paintings related to tennis, giving them several reasons to be inspired”. Tennis, rackets, the shape of the courts and nets, the color of the floor, everything can serve as a theme for the artistic creation of the CERCICA group. And assures João Zilhão, “absolutely extraordinary works have been produced over these 3 years, which are always very successful”, reinforcing: “It is good for the artists, who receive the money from the sale of the paintings. And we are also very happy to be able to help such a valid institution as this.“ The partnership with MILLENNIUM ESTORIL OPEN “has been an extremely enriching experience” and Daniela Gomes also has high expectations for “this approach to Hospital da Luz. The expectation is to have some continuity here, after this tournament. Therefore, if they want to welcome us, we will be very happy”, he states. CERCICA is an association that seeks to meet the educational needs of children, young people and adults with disabilities, working towards their inclusion in school and the job market through educational, occupational, sports and artistic activities. Based in Cascais since 1976, it has grown with the needs of the people it supports and today has dedicated itself to different areas. “These artists and I are integrated into the Center for Activities for Inclusion and Training of People with Disabilities, which is a response for adults with intellectual disabilities who cannot find a response in the job market”, explains the monitor, adding: “Our goal is for them to be productive and happy, and to also be able to find meaning in life. Basically, we try to maximize their abilities, so that things like this can happen. Because… art saves!” The exhibition of CERCICA artists opened on April 10 and will be on display until May 30 in the internal garden of Hospital da Luz Lisboa . Works by these artists can also be seen and purchased at the MILLENNIUM ESTORIL OPEN venue until May 4.
