Quito’s 10 Best Contemporary Art Galleries | Stunning Ecuadorian Art
Nestled amid the Andes Mountains, Quito is a city bustling with culture. From the national treasures of Ecuadorian art such as Oswaldo Guayasamín to cutting-edge street art festivals, Quito offers an immense artistic diversity and cultural venues, exhibition spaces and museums to match. Here is a selection of ten of the best contemporary art galleries in Quito.
1. Centro de Arte Contemporàneo
Museum
MarsuArte
MarsuArte first opened its doors to Quito’s art scene over 28 years ago. Since 1985, this gallery has expanded its activity to include three different exhibition spaces, leading it to become one of the most active galleries in Ecuador. MarsuArte features works from established Ecuadorian and South American artists such as Elvira Valenzuela with her stainless steel sculptures, Patricio Bermeo, known for his abstract paintings, Marco Vàsquez and his luminous landscapes as well as a selection of 20 internationally renowned artists. In addition to gallery-specific activities, MasruaArte regularly organises some of the most exclusive auctions in Quito.
MarsuArte Cumbayá: Av Francisco de Orellana E2-175 y Juan Montalvo , Quito, Ecuador, +593 2)2 890 150
MarsuArte JW Marriott, Orellana 1172 y Av. Amazonas, Quito, Ecuador, +593 22 972 002
2. House-Museum Guayasamín
Museum
3. Ileana Viteri
Ileana Viteri
The stark white walls and elegant minimalistic decor are two of the signature elements that complement the contemporary artwork showcased at Ileana Viteri. The core mission of this gallery is that of promoting emerging Ecuadorian and Southern American talents. All forms of artistic expression are welcome here: sculpture, painting, photography and installation. One of the recent exhibitions, Otra Vez, focuses on Lucia Falconì, whose art has been featured in some of the most prominent galleries of Europe and South America. Falconì was also recently hired to create a mural to adorn the dining room of Casa Gangotena, one of Quito’s finest hotels. Otra Vez showcases some of the artist’s most interesting floral-themed artworks and is open to the public until 9 April.
Ileana Viteri, Pasaje Camilo Destruge N24-633 y Francisco Salazar, Quito, Ecuador, +593 22 902 242
4. Capilla del Hombre
Museum
Galeria de Arte Urbano
Galeria de Arte Urbano is probably one of the most exciting events of the year. This unconventional ‘gallery’ is actually an experiment that involves the urban art or graffiti in various locations around Quito. The first urban circuit was created in 2013 and included the works of over 300 artists for 30 consecutive days. Each location has a specific theme and the work is executed by a collective of artists directed by a ‘chief of operations’. With its 3,800 square metres of artistic space, Galeria de Arte Urbano is the one of the biggest open-air art events in the world. While this year’s edition isn’t planned until November, visitors can still admire 2013’s graffiti in their original locations.
Various locations throughout Quito
5. Centro Cultural Metropolitano
Museum, School
6. Centro Cultural Itchimbía
Natural Feature, Park
7. Casa de las Artes la Ronda
Casa de las Artes la Ronda
Located at the end of Calle la Ronda, one of Quito’s liveliest streets, Casa de las Artes la Ronda is part of the same municipal project that oversees the Centro Cultural Itchimbía and the Centro Cultural Metropolitano. Thanks to an outstanding renovation project carried out by El Fonsal, an institution dedicated to safeguarding Quito’s historical heritage, this incredible site recently reopened to the public as a cultural centre. Casa de las Artes la Ronda organises exhibitions of national and international artists, workshops, and educational activities mainly aimed at the improvement of the la Ronda neighbourhood while contributing to the artistic and cultural enrichment of the entire city.
Casa de las Artes la Ronda, Calle la Ronda, Quito, Ecuador, +593 23 952 300
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