The winning works from various editions of the Eixo Atlântico Painting Biennial are now permanently exhibited at the Antigos Paços do Concelho in Viana do Castelo. This initiative strengthens the city's role in promoting culture and cooperation between Northern Portugal and Galicia. The exhibition can be visited on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, on the 1st floor of the Antigos Paços do Concelho, in Praça da República.
The Mayor of Viana do Castelo and current President of the Eixo Atlântico, Luís Nobre, assured that this exhibition “is a reminder of the past and a way to also project the future”. It has been decided that, in the future, the first floor of the upcoming Eixo Atlântico Interpretation Center, to be housed in the former female student residence building on Avenida Conde Carreira, will be the definitive exhibition space for the biennial's winning works.
Luís Nobre highlighted the significance of Viana do Castelo hosting this collection, given the Eixo's historical connection to the city, where its founding constituent meeting took place. He stated that “art is a factor for bringing people closer, uniting them, and fostering cooperation,” and that culture and art should play this role.
Xoán Vázquez Mao, Secretary-General of the Eixo Atlântico, recalled that the association was founded in Viana do Castelo 34 years ago with 16 municipalities, and now has 42 members. Culture was the initial path for union between the territories, followed by sports and tourism. The Painting Biennial was created to recognize and promote the region's creators.
The new Eixo Atlântico Interpretation Center, located in the former female student residence building, will be rehabilitated and will feature a permanent exhibition on the Eixo's history, interactive content, an audiovisual room, and the anthology exhibition of the Painting Biennial. The building on Avenida Conde Carreira will be adapted with a modern, functional design that respects the urban and landscape environment.
The center will also include outdoor public spaces: a cultural zone for open-air activities, a gastronomic tasting area with products from Galicia and Northern Portugal, an events space with a stage, and a garden with native plants from the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.
