Promoting artistic and commercial activity in the historic center of La Seu d’Urgell is one of the objectives of the first edition of the “AparadART” festival, which runs until 18 February. Up to thirteen artists from the entire Alt Urgell region participate in this initiative by exhibiting some of their work in six showcases of empty rented premises in this area, four of which are located on Canonges street. In this way it is intended to make its potential visible and contribute to the opening of new businesses. All this, flanked by the rest of the non-food craft businesses in the area, for a total of twenty different proposals for visitors.
The aim of the campaign is to create synergies between the owners of empty premises and the network of artists and craftsmen in the region, as explained by the Councilor for Commerce of the Municipality of Seu d’Urgell, Núria Tomàs. In fact, the implementation of the initiative has already led to the first contacts of people interested in renting out part of the available spaces. In each of the showcases of the empty premises, information on the surface and characteristics of the establishment is reported, as well as the contact details of its owner and of the artists who exhibit their works.
Detail of one of the windows
Antònia Casanovas, artist and also owner of one of the venues participating in the festival, explains that she has exhibited several ceramic pieces, including a game of tic-tac-toe. This way she was able to share her hobby, which she says “brings him peace and tranquility and is done with presence and awareness.” She is the owner of an old fish market, she is encouraged by the initiative of being able to “give light and color” to the street where she rents the premises.
For his part, another of the owners of one of the spaces given to the countryside, Jordi Rosado, is also very appreciative of the launch of this festival to give visibility to empty premises and facilitate their display of works of art in their showcases. In his case, after having been a fishmonger and using it as a warehouse for years, he now sees in the initiative an opportunity to be able to rent it again to house a business.
Paintings exhibited in the premises in via Canonges, owned by Jordi Rosado
In addition to Casanovas, the artists and craftsmen exhibited in this edition are: Salomé Escribà, Laura de Lavalle, Xavi Casals, Pau Romero, Marta Tarrés, Gemma Coma, Paco Pérez, Paula Martínez, Ariadna Guardia, Robert Abecasis, Rosa Suárez and Óscar González . The Commerce area of the Municipality of Seu d’Urgell leads the initiative, which sees the participation and collaboration of the Asociación de Vecinos y Mercciantes del Casco Antiguo, Finques Estañol, Juanjo Jarauta and Pep Forn, the artists and craftsmen of the comarca of Alt Urgell and in the ownership of the vacant premises.
read also
