The Association of Art Galleries of Paraguay (ASGAPA) announced the 12th edition of Noche de Galerías, an event that consolidates itself as the largest contemporary visual arts circuit in the country. The opening is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, starting at 5:00 PM, with free and open admission.
For the first time, the event has a general curator: Ticio Escobar, writer, art critic, and cultural promoter, who will be tasked with giving conceptual coherence to the route. This novelty is added to the inclusion of emerging spaces as guest galleries, expanding the traditional artistic ecosystem.
The 23 participating spaces include established and emerging galleries. Among the solo exhibitions, highlights include: Arte Actual with the trajectory of Koki Ruiz (curated by Carlos Cortazar); Artística with 'Desasosiego' by Carlos Rolandi (curated by Luis Carmona); Casa Mayor with 'El círculo en sí' by Marcos Benítez (curated by Damián Cabrera); Del Rey with 'Ñande sy, ñane sueño y la poética del campo' by Carla Ascarza (curated by Tim MiRaquel); Exaedro with 'La Rebelión de las Diosas' by Valeria Franco (curated by Sandra Dinnendahl and Juan Florenciañez); and Fábrica with a tribute to Ricardo Migliorisi (curated by Osvaldo Salerno).
Group shows are also present, such as 'Poéticas del territorio' at Viedma Gallery (curated by Siu Lizaso) and 'Cómplices' at Casa Amarilla (curated by Fernando Moure). The Spanish Cultural Center in Asunción (CCEA), celebrating 50 years, is part of the circuit with three proposals: the textile exhibition 'Topografía de un desplazamiento' by Lide Samudio, the installation 'Orear. Nuevos vientos para imaginar el porvenir', and the exhibition of engravings and ceramics by Josefina Plá titled 'Allí donde terminan de colgarse las hamacas del viento'.
To facilitate access, the organization will provide free buses between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM, with simultaneous departures from the galleries and an additional transport from CCEA at 5:00 PM. The route will have specialized guides and monitors from the Higher Institute of Art (ISA-FADA/UNA) and the Polytechnic and Artistic University of Paraguay (UPAP). Prior registration is recommended to coordinate transfers and participate in drawings.
Within the event, ASGAPA launches the 6th edition of the Young Critical Writing Promotion Award, in partnership with AICA Paraguay Chapter and ISA-FADA/UNA. The initiative seeks to encourage technical reflection on visual arts, with cash prizes and visibility for new critics. The jury is composed of Albán Martínez Gueyraud, Alex Vázquez, and Martha Manchini, under the coordination of Lia Colombino.
Noche de Galerías received a declaration of Cultural and Tourist Interest from the National Secretariat of Culture (SNC), the National Tourism Secretariat (SENATUR), the Bicameral Culture Commission of the National Congress, and the Municipality of Asunción.