WOOL, the respected urban art festival nestled in the central Portugal town of Covilhã, brings to life more large-format murals and exhibitions from 19 to 27 September. For WOOL 2020, renowned Spanish artists Jofre Oliveras (work featured at top) and Alberto Montes, and Portuguese artists Tiago Galo and Catarina Glam, will paint large-scale murals on walls of buildings in the historic city center. Other activities planned for this edition include installation art works, the national premier of the film Martha: a Picture Story, conversations with the artists, guided visits and workshops.
WOOL debuted in 2011, a project of local residents Lara Seixo Rodrigues, Pedro Seixo Rodrigues and Elisabet Carceller. All three have a strong passion for urban art, but also share in their love for the city of Covilhã. Covilhã has a significant history as a center for wool textile production in Portugal. So, the founders worked to showcase this contemporary style of art, on and amongst the walls of the historic industrial city.
The documentary Martha: A Picture Story makes its Portugal debut at the festival. Australian Selina Miles records the journey of photo-journalist Martha Cooper, whose photographs, taken over the last five decades, have made her an icon of this global artistic movement. The film screens at 21:15 on 25 September.
Also planned is a large-scale photography exhibition by landscape and travel photographer Rui Gaiola. The photographer will be featured in a conversation event at 21:15 on 26 September and will lead a travel and photography workshop from 10:00 to 13:00 on 27 September.
Of course, the highlights of the festival are the major works. Guided walking tours of the murals are set for 16:30 on 25, 26 and 27 September. Tuk-tuk tours run from 15:30 to 19:00 on 26 and 27 September.
Learn more about the festival on the WOOL Facebook page.
WOOL 2020
Covilhã
Guided Tours:
Walking (€2.00) – 16:30 on 25, 26, 27 September
Tuk-Tuk Tours (€10.00) – 15:30-19:00 on 26, 27 September