It was a balmy morning, although already November, and our expectations were high. We'd read in a local paper that the event was restarting after being cancelled last month due to a change of staff at the council. In fact, we hadn't known and turned up last month, too, but there was only one woman selling jewellery and four mineral stands. This month, we expected much more.
Walking along the pedestrianised street, we arrived at a group of stands where various paintings were hung. It was interesting to see the art and some painters were at work on unfinished canvases and paper. At one end, there was an accomplished violinist and a woman writing poetry. Unfortunately, there were no ceramists or sculptors; I wonder why not.
Both my wife and I dabble with paint, so we were keen to opine on the work that we saw. The standard varied, as one might expect, and I like to think we viewed with an open mind. I usually seek a painting that I'd want to hang on my wall, even if I'm not actually buying; a work of art that I'd be content to see every day and one that makes me feel relaxed. I didn't see anything that I would have taken home, but enjoyed looking.
There was a graffiti artist working on a huge chipboard panel, but it was early days to form an impression and he seemed content to take his time; the large size was something we both appreciated, although it would have needed space to display it. A guest artist was out to shock. His paintings featured distorted bodies and one large painting portrayed many men seated around a table, eating miniature women on plates; knives and forks stabbing the women. Not to my taste and I wondered how a mind could conjure up such a disturbing atrocity! That was my opinion, though, and someone else may have seen something wonderful in his work.
An elderly gentleman was using watercolours to create a village scene and I appreciated his loose, flowing brushwork. Opposite him was a woman applying acrylic paint with a palette knife to form a landscape. Two more artists were using charcoal and crayons to copy photos. A painting school for young artists had two talented children producing surprisingly good pictures. Other artists modestly sat by their work. There was a general lack of people, both exhibiting and viewing, but nevertheless a pleasant atmosphere.
It was good to see the artists with their work, but disappointing that there weren't more there. Is it that artists shun the exhibition, or that there's a dearth of artistic talent in the area? I've heard it said that it's the latter, but I don't believe it. A budding Picasso or Dali may be living next door. This event could be so much bigger, encouraging amateurs to display their work and receive feedback from the public. It also needs San Vicente council to promote the morning more actively and never cancel due to staff problems. A commercial enterprise wouldn't succeed if they did, and the council won't either, but they're not answerable to anyone in the same way. Being close to the ceramic centre of Agost and with participation from local sculptors and musicians, the morning could so easily expand into a 'must see' event full of artistic people.