Costa Criativa 2025

Costa Criativa 2025 — Seven Months Later

Something New Came to Town

In early December 2025, I had a glimpse of what could be possible in Figueira da Foz. Local artists creating a city-wide, sprawling art event! Over two perfect winter days we had multiple art spaces open, art events, art workshops, and art parties. It was a blast!

The two-day event managed to gather a good portion of local artists together, though there are still more out there, and bring something beautiful into existence. Kudos to the spaces that were open to hosting artists and their work.

Kudos to the efforts of the organisers, notably Olivia Levings, who had an unwavering vision to realise. Kudos to the new spaces that were coming together but needed a catalyst to get started. Kudos to my fellow artists, it was wonderful to meet you and see your work across Figueira.

It was a lot of work, but this idea actually made it into reality. I was stoked to be a participating artist, and had a go at trying to capture some of the action with some decent results.

I was privileged to show my work at the new store Beatniks in Buarcos, which opened officially after that and has had three more exhibitions of local artists since. My small trash robots were lovingly placed next to first edition prints of Philip K. Dick novels.

Where Things Stand Now

Seven months on, it’s worth checking in on what came of it.

Beatniks is now open regular hours and hosting more artists through its doors. Studio Northfront has put on further shows and gatherings since. Gato Preto continues to exhibit new work from local artists, something my friend Meridy Volz first set in motion back in 2024, before Costa Criativa even happened. It was good to see O Marco hosting exhibitions again, and Casa Dos Amigos is evolving in its own way too.

But maybe the best part isn’t the spaces themselves, it’s the people. I’m making new friends directly because these places are staying active, not just open for one weekend and then quiet again.

Check out the Facebook and Instagram pages of Costa Criativa, and hopefully there will be more this year.