It’s easy to get caught up in the allure of the well, known, celebrated museums and galleries in Barcelona, but do yourself the favoring of allotting the proper time to take a leisurely stroll through the heart of the old city. That’s where the true magic is.
It quickly becomes apparent that the roots of the art scene here in Barcelona run far deeper than simply the just the Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum.
The winding cobblestone roads of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) exude an energy of curiosity and wonder and offer hidden treasures with unfamiliar, yet glorious galleries that give you a deeper feel for the culture of this beautiful city and its art scene.
When exploring this scattering of diverse galleries, it’s not just the art that will speak to you, but the beauty of the ancient buildings you see at every glance hints at the splendor tucked inside. Better yet is taking the time to talk to the gallery owners and artists to discover the inspiration behind the pieces that are showcased.
Villa Del Arte
Going to the gothic quarter? Well, then I’m guessing you may be scheduling in a stop to see the impressive Cathedral of Barcelona. Well, good news art lover, you now have no excuse not to stop by Villa Del Arte, a charming gallery that conveniently lies directly to the left of the Barcelona Cathedral.
This specific location is the smallest of all their galleries, however the oldest one and certainly has the personality to show for it.
The dramatic atmosphere of this area at night is particularly alluring as the adjacent cathedral is lit up like a fairy tale under the moonlight. Additionally, the stage lighting illuminating the outdoor statues has a calming effect, making your troubles feel small and unimportant under the large shadows casted by these well- thought out statues.
Villa Del Arte represents over 40, established and emerging, artists around the globe occupying a total of three locations here in Barcelona, as well as one gallery in Amsterdam. The three owners, Bert Van Zetten, Marcel, and Jutta Huisman are all from the Netherlands however combined their commitment and passion for art to found Villa Del Arte Galleries here in Barcelona in 1999.
Walking by and seeing the impressive sculptures that lie in the courtyard of Villa Del Arte, you may mistake this gallery as a part of the adjacent Museu Diocesa. In reality, this gallery is not associated with the museum, and it is 100% free. Although, employee Carolota Font Castello, shared that there space was originally part of the Museum next-door, which is why it has the same cave-like, stone inner walls.
It was heart warming to hear employee Carolota express her gratitude for her job in this gallery. Upon being asked to name her favorite aspect of her job, she replied, " I really like that my job allows me to help artists be able to live from what they love doing".
She also took the time to point out her favorite piece in the gallery at the time of this article, which was a great example of an intriguing piece that plays with perspective, bringing a sense of authenticity and light-heartedness to the space.
The large half circle window just beyond the attention-grabbing sculptures gives pedestrians a sneak peek to the colorful artwork that lies within the gallery. After being lured inside by this enticing view, you'll feel excited to see that the large window is left ajar, providing a pathway down to get up and close with the statues that originally drew you in to this eccentric gallery.
Open Every Day
10:00am - 11:00pm
ArteVistas Gallery
Walk just past the statue of a peaceful half man/ half red grape, and just short of Meat Shop Tattoo and you can’t miss this unique gallery! One of it’s best features is the artistic atmosphere extends beyond the gallery itself.
When walking down Carrer de Ferran, you will see a black sign that modestly reads “ART. ->” , pointing you past the restaurant Orio into to a breezy yet shady courtyard, sprinkled with intriguing 2D and 3D art.
The various abstract pieces displayed outside of this gallery are impressive even if they were to stand alone; however, that is certainly not the case as ArteVistas presents some 2,240 artworks, ranging from paintings to sculptures to prints.
When you first enter this gallery it’s a bit visually overstimulating., Objects mercilessly fight for your attention all at once with a variety of bright colors and thought-provoking shapes. The original artwork is not just limited to paintings and sculptures but also includes a photography, drawings, print-screen, lithographs, and street art that makes you feel encapsulated by every aspect that represents the art scene of Barcelona.
Monday: closed
Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Galleria Senda is one of the larger and more established independent contemporary galleries in Barcelona.
Coming in from the hustle and bustle of the Barcelona streets, Galleria Senda offers a simplistic, spacious, and tranquil atmosphere with a the modern feel as the wide open spaces and clean white walls. Despite it’s modern feel, what you feel most when you walk in is the peace and serenity.
The employees here make you feel so welcomed and have a lot of information and passion to share about this gallery. Employee Laura Leonelli has been working here for ten months and was eager to share her knowledge about the various aspects of the well-
gallery.
She provided a great perspective on the importance of these small galleries in contrast to the larger tourist attractions stating that " These galleries give locals an expansive and cost free option to view the evolving art in their city". She went on to describe the way that these galleries provide both tourists and locals with " an outlet to view and purchase unique pieces of art that encapsulate what they love most about the unique city of Barcelona."
The first floor exhibit switches bimonthly, showcasing one specific artist and their collective work while the second floor highlights a variety of artists and their distinctive works of art
Monday by appointment
Tuesday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 11am – 2:30pm and 3:30pm – 8pm
So go on, be touristy for a day or so and visit the infamous museums that are so beloved! Just remember to lift your eyes from your GPS along the way to wander into a small gallery. It just may be your golden opportunity to see a unique piece of artwork created by the next up and coming Picasso.
- Bailey Daigle
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