In 2014, two old friends from Punta del Este, artist Pati Fernández and art curator and filmmaker Mercedes Sader, took a chance on the then sleepy and artless Pueblo Garzón and opened Black Gallery. Find them in a remodeled house one block from the main square, with Fernández’s primary-hued shapes installation out front. The gallery represents a blend of seminal Uruguayan artists -- María Freire, José Pedro Costigliolo, among others -- and emerging / mid-career Latin American artists.

PUEBLO GARZÓN

PASO DEL SAUCE + LA CANTERA

BLACKGALLERY.NET

+598 99373651

A quirky remodeled ruin steps from the plaza is the current headquarters, art studio, café, and gallery of the nonprofit creative institute, CAMPO. A place where coffee and creativity intersect, CAMPO Canteen also hosts Food + Art events throughout the year. Founded by American photographer Heidi Lender in 2017, CAMPO invites international artists to the village for month-long residencies and its annual CAMPO Artfest every December 28-30, where 30+ artists intervene the pueblo with site-specific work. Stay tuned for CAMPO’s new main campus on 13 hectares on the Garzón River, designed by world-class architect Rafael Viñoly.

PUEBLO GARZÓN

COSTA DE JOSÉ IGNACIO + EL FARO

CAMPOGARZON.ORG

An old recycled train wagon on a corner of the village serves as the center of operations for La Galerilla, a space for the promotion and sale of artworks by emerging artists. Spearheaded by third-generation art dealer Iván Martínez, La Galerilla (a play on words between “gallery” and “guerrilla”) hosts underground exhibitions featuring artists based in Uruguay and abroad.

PUEBLO GARZÓN

AVENIDA GARZÓN + IZCUA

LAGALERILLA.COM

+598 94297543

Piero Atchugarry gallery presents a contemporary art program and modern art survey, with locations in Garzon, Uruguay, and Miami, Florida, United States. In 2019, Piero acquired a corner casa off the Garzon plaza that was transformed into an exhibition space. Open seasonally, the gallery hosts a program of group and solo exhibitions by various international artists throughout the months of December through April. Tierra Garzon, off the road to Garzon, is home to Piero’s art residency program, and occasionally hosts open-studio exhibitions.

PUEBLO GARZÓN 21

PIEROATCHUGARRY.COM

+1 631 565 1671

Surrounded by hills, olive trees, and vineyards, Walden Naturae offers an annual program that combines historical and contemporary exhibitions. Promoting ecological and artistic initiatives in connection with the environment, the gallery aims to create a unique and conducive context for art while seeking to renew the traditional concept of exhibition space, and is committed to playing an active role in the local and international art scene.

PUEBLO GARZÓN

LOS CERRILLOS + PASAJE EL FARO

WALDENNATURAE.COM

+ 598 9122 1977

A beautiful and complimentary blend of art, architec- ture, and wine sets the enchanting scene of Marcelo Conserva + Natalia Welker’s winery, Bodega Oceáni- ca José Ignacio. Meander through the 52 hectares of albariño and pinot noir grapes and olive trees (they make great olive oil too!), where the art-lovers’ grow- ing collection of sculptures dot the soft rolling vine- yards. Works by Uruguayan artists, including Octavio Podestá and Ricardo Pascale, pave the windy route on the way to the winery’s main building, designed by Uruguayan architect Marcelo Daglio.

JOSÉ IGNACIO

RUTA 9, KM 157

OJOSEIGNACIO.COM

+598 97380611

Casa Neptuna, designed by Argentine artist Edgardo Giménez, is home to FAARA, the artist residency program of Fundación Ama Amoedo. Conceived with the mission of creating a lasting impact on the Latin American contemporary art ecosystem, Fundación Ama Amoedo is a non-profit founded by collector and philanthropist Amalia Amoedo to expand the dialogue and networks of the arts of Latin America, with a focus on the Argentine and Uruguayan scenes. Casa Neptuna is not open to the public. To schedule a visit, please contact info@fundacionamaamoedo.org

JOSÉ IGNACIO

LUIS E. SCHICKENDANTZ, 18

FUNDACIONAMAAMOEDO.ORG

+598 96855301

Dreamed up as an extension of owners Paula + Emiliano’s love for beauty and nature, their gallery space, next door to Cruz del Sur Restaurant, aligns with their commitment to sustainability. Delicately curated with pieces from Piero Atchugarry’s Gallery collection, it’s also home to vintage furniture from The Trading Post, naturally-dyed and handspun clothes, and artisanal pieces from local artists.

JOSÉ IGNACIO

LAS GARZAS + SAINZ MARTÍNEZ

PLAZA JOSÉ IGNACIO

CRUZDELSURFARM.COM

+598 93357571

FOCUS is an international photography festival, aiming to be a platform for dissemination, dialogue, and thought about photography. An urban, casual and relaxed proposal, where books, a mobile museum, photos, and city walks are the protagonists.

@focusjoseignacio

For a taste of South American classics, walk through the modern doors of this distinguished gal- lery, with curly wood sculpture by Ricardo Pascale out front. Launched in Montevideo in 1990 with a focus on celebrated Uruguayan artist Joaquín Tor- res García’s constructivism and the School of the South, this spacious spot – just three blocks from the beach - opened in 2006 with an expanded look at Latin American historical avant-garde and con- temporary masters.

JOSÉ IGNACIO

LAS GARZAS + LOS TORDOS

GALERIAMISIONES.COM

+598 44862645

JIIFF is an International Film Festival that takes place during the high summer season. For one week, JIIFF programs an International Feature Film Competition and a Competition for Uruguayan Short Films, showcased in exceptional locations. It also has its own industry and training space called Working JIIFF.

JOSÉ IGNACIO

BAJADA DE LOS PESCADORES: LAS GARZAS + LOS HORNEROS /

PAVILION VIK: RUTA 10, KM. 182,5 /

CHACRA LA MALLORQUINA: CAMINO SAINZ MARTÍNEZ, KM. 3

JOSEIGNACIOFILMFESTIVAL.COM

First dreamed up as a wellness retreat, Las Mu- sas has blossomed on the José Ignacio scene as much more. Along with daily yoga classes and workshops in its stunning studio, designed by Chilean architect Mathias Klotz and Carolina Pe- droni from Punta del Este, Las Musas now produc- es wine, hosts talks, wine-tastings, and a summer schedule of jazz concerts. Tucked away on the road between José Ignacio and Garzón, Las Mu- sas (the muses) is a well-kept secret of creative, culinary, and soulful exploration.

JOSÉ IGNACIO

SAINZ MARTÍNEZ, KM. 2

LASMUSAS.COM.UY

+598 92007334

A boho-cool cultural hub just outside of José Ignacio. Architect Diego Montero crafted a quasi man-cave for himself – a place where he can draw, paint, make music and share it with a young and happening crowd. The self-proclaimed King of La Torre (the tower) produces a soulful space that includes an al fresco painting/sculpture studio, a resident DJ, and new sushi bar. Count on sunset drinks and dinners cooked by local fishermen a few nights a week and, overall, a very cool place to be.

JOSÉ IGNACIO/ SANTA MÓNICA

RUTA 10, PLAYA EL PEPE

+598 95002765

The big buzz around town is the Skyspace by James Turrell which landed in José Ignacio, thanks to Edda and Robert Kofler, the Austrian owners of ultra-chic Posada Ayana. Stationed next to the hotel and open to the public, the open-chamber installation from the American master of light and space is his first freestanding Skyspace in South America. For Ayana, he created a white marble stupa that sits inside a pyramid of earth and grass, a veritable treasure for the area.

JOSÉ IGNACIO

DEL MARINERO

POSADA-AYANA.COM/SKYSPACE

+598 91929262

Portal Bosque is where we experience the transition between spectators and creators. We offer experiences, guidance and stimulation to transform every visitor. Giving value to processes, celebrating the experience independently from the results, and providing a mixture between worlds: technological and natural, local and international, amateur and professional, emotional and rational, childhood and adulthood. Everything in a context of a club that allows us to share and celebrate in community, because we know the importance of finding our home in the world.

LA BARRA

AV. LA AGUADA + CAMINO DE LOS FLAMENCOS

@PORTALBOSQUE

+598 96123350

Climb the stairs to La Barra-based artist Martín Pelenur’s studio and gallery, aptly named La Pecera (the fishbowl), with large windows overlooking the Atlantic. Since 2016, Pelenur, an energetic creator and marketer, has been supporting the Uruguayan arts community and helping to develop the career of national artists through group exhibitions, residencies, and participation in international art fairs. On show at La Pecera are Pelenur’s best works, along with those of artists Candela Bado, Adela Casacuberta, and Uzi Sabah.

LA BARRA

51 RUTA 10, KM 160.5

LAPECERA.COM.UY

+598 99818676

INNOVA is a non-profit art space that exhibits avant-garde works by Uruguayan and international artists, established and/or emerging. The works cover all artistic disciplines. The exhibitions are accompanied by an inclusive educational program aimed at all types of audiences. INNOVA offers artist residencies and is open January and February. In 2010, the department of Maldonado declared INNOVA of departmental interest for its cultural activities.

PUNTA PIEDRAS

RUTA 10 + CALLE 9

ESPACIOINNOVA.COM

+34 634561777

Outside of Manantiales, snuggled in the neighbor- hood of Punta Piedras, Espacio Foto Arte promotes works of contemporary art with a focus on photogra- phy, including images by photographer and founder Roberto Riverti. Eleven years ago, with his wife Car- olina Pedroni, they opened this airy space, which ro- tates exhibitions every 20 days and organizes sem- inars on art, photography, curation, and literature. Open from December to April, by appointment only.

MANANTIALES

CALLE 6 + RUTA 10 KM 166,100

ESPACIOFOTOARTE.COM

+598 94453671

Silvia Arrozes’s Galería del Paseo has been a fixture on the Uruguayan art scene since 1998. She opened her sleek doors by the beach in 2004, and a second gallery in Lima, Peru in 2013. Arrozes, an energetic supporter of Latin American artists, rotates exhibitions every ten days with an opening reception for each. Check out her new shop of objets, antiques, and fashion made especially for Paseo. And don’t miss Arrozes’ Monday movie nights -- a collaboration with Uruguayan filmmaker-sociologist Juan Pittaluga – that include screenings and post-film discussions, a hot spot for four years running.

MANANTIALES

RUTA 10, KM 164

GALERIADELPASEO.COM

+598 99631116

From renowned Uruguayan artist, Pablo Atchugarry comes Uruguay’s first contemporary art museum outside Montevideo. Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Atchugarry (MACA) opened in January 2022. Designed by Carlos Ott, the 5000-square-meter museum, home to a collection of more than 500 works, is perched on the lush and rolling grounds of his namesake foundation. A great supporter of artists and art in Uruguay and abroad, Atchugarry has built a beautiful compound of culture on 40 acres, now adding this comprehensive hub for international contemporary art to the existing exhibition spaces, auditorium, open-air stage, and sculpture garden.

MANANTIALES

RUTA 104, KM 4.5

FUNDACIONPABLOATCHUGARRY.ORG

+598 42775563

For over 15 years, artists Silvestre Jacobi and Lucila Dickinson have worked as a creative duo, exhibiting their work at the SILU gallery, Manantiales - Punta del Este. Visitors are invited to their workshop on the lower level of the gallery, where they also create custom-made, timeless pieces inspired by nature in an original style using contour and volume. They travel the world in search of new techniques and materials.

MANANTIALES

Ruta 10, KM 163.5

GALERIASILU.COM

+598 95342939

Situated in South America’s main seaside resort, Xippas Punta del Este is located near Manantiales on Route 104 (Km 5), a national route that connects famous regional villas of the zone, such as José Ignacio, Garzón, Edén, and Punta Ballena. With an infrastructure covering 700 square meters amidst a rural Uruguayan landscape, this unique gallery is destined to present exhibitions by major artists from the local and international contemporary art scene.

MANANTIALES

RUTA 104, KM 5

XIPPAS.COM

+598 98926529