The Tenerife Christmas art market, Merkarte, has commenced at a new location, buoyed by public support, who showcased that culture remains one of the finest gifts during the festive period. The Official College of Architects has embraced this initiative.
Christmas has arrived in Tenerife, evident in the opening of the Merkarte art market. Serafín Mesa, the Minister of Youth and Training of the Cabildo of Tenerife, acknowledged that this has been a “challenging edition” due to the closure of the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Santa Cruz de Tenerife while renovation work is underway. “This has compelled us to relocate Merkarte to the Official College of Architects on the Rambla de Santa Cruz.” The minister celebrated that this initiative has found a new home in a venue with significant history, now showcasing the works of 40 participants in this edition.
This year, the Tenerife Christmas art market features emerging artists who are experiencing this event for the first time. Moreover, Serafín Mesa noted the involvement of artists from previous editions, around five years ago, who have now rejoined Merkarte. The success of this edition seems guaranteed as, the minister mentioned, on the opening day, which took place on Wednesday, December 18, over 2,000 euros in artworks were sold.
«The main aim of this project is to highlight the creations of young artists, not solely to promote their work but also to educate them in the full process of organising an exhibition, from transporting the pieces to running an advertising campaign,» stated Mesa. Leo Maya, Freya Díaz Jaén, and Clara Pérez are three of the young artists participating in this new edition of Merkarte, and they are also returning participants. Excited by the positive reception of the opening day, they emphasised the importance of forming friendships and professional connections within this initiative. “We are learning from each other, about the techniques employed by others, and that is evident in the works we present here,” they expressed.
The participants also applauded the selection of the new Merkarte location, as the Official College of Architects and its exhibition hall have historically served as a gathering place for intellectuals and artists from the Islands. “We feel fortunate to present our work in such a venue,” they reflected, celebrating the opportunity to showcase their proposals to a broad audience through this initiative, which facilitates not only the sale of their pieces but also enhances their visibility. «We have noticed an increase in our followers on social media after each edition,” they concluded.
Merkarte opened its doors on Wednesday, December 18, and will remain open to the public until January 18. It will be closed only on December 25, January 1, and January 6. Additionally, on the eve of Three Kings, January 5, extended opening hours will be provided. Although this year’s location is somewhat less central, the Tenerife Cabildo is keen to encourage visits, which is why an agreement has been made with the nearby Hotel Mencey to offer attendees a discount on parking fees.
