Art galleries and events on Ibiza
Ibiza is a rich cultural melting pot of influences from around the world. Its many resident and visiting artists - many of whom have settled here from other countries - embody this cultural diversity and express it through their work. It's no surprise that in the last century, Ibiza became a refuge for artists, painters and sculptors who came to the island looking for a tolerant place where they could express themselves more freely.
The island's remarkable light continues to attract painters and photographers who, along with sculptors and other creative spirits, capture its landscapes, people and traditions in their art.
Art events and tours
IbizaArt Guide brings national and international artists together who live on Ibiza or have a direct connection with the island. They publish an annual guide, which is accompanied by an exhibition. On Instagram, they also promote exhibitions on Ibiza and Formentera.
The art fair CAN (Contemporary Art Now) takes over the exhibition hall in Ibiza Town for four days each June, showcasing avant-garde works by established and emerging artists, featuring paintings and sculptures.
The streets of San Antonio are now colourful and bright, with the addition of Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel's rainbow murals throughout the West End. Take a stroll and enjoy yourself, or for a guided experience, the San Antonio & Street Art Free Tour is a fun way to discover the town and its wide collection of urban art.
The island's markets, especially the one held in San Juan on Sundays, are also a great place for art lovers.
Art galleries
For decades, Ibiza has been home to a number of privately-owned art galleries. However, in recent years, several new ones have been opened by the movers and shakers of the art world.
Art galleries well worth checking out include the Club de Diario de Ibiza, a cultural venue in Ibiza Town from one of the daily newspapers of the island. Located at the far end of Las Salinas beach, La Nave Salinas is a large exhibition space in a former warehouse for salt, which showcases exhibitions during the summer season.
Espacio Micus is a small and quirky art gallery located in the countryside just outside the village of Jesús, which commemorates the prolific work of German painter Eduard Micus and offers other exhibitions.
Can Curt is an old finca, transformed into an exhibition space in the beautiful village of San Agustín and is well worth a visit. Parra & Romero is an Ibizan gallery near Santa Gertrudis that showcases contemporary art, set between the boundaries of conceptual and minimal art.
Located in the picturesque village of San José is the exhibition space Can Jeroni, which offers a cinema, a theatre and cultural events. In the small village of Jesús, the Centro Cultural de Jesús is a multifunctional centre that offers space to exhibitions and music shows.
In the Marta Torres Gallery in Ibiza Town, you'll find works by well-known national and international artists, including Joan Miró, Fulljames and Carlos Sansegundo. It also hosts temporary exhibitions.
Ses Coves Blanques Lighthouse in San Antonio is easily reached from the promenade of this popular resort. The socio-cultural centre includes an exhibition hall and the Sea Interpretation Centre. It has a varied programme of cultural events and exhibitions.
Declared a listed property, the Can Portmany Cultural Space in San Rafael is not only a beautiful space but also hosts exhibitions to enjoy throughout the year.
Restaurants with art exhibitions
Many restaurants on the island also show the works of local artists in one-off exhibitions, for example, Art Café Can Tixedó near San Rafael, El Naranjo Restaurant in Santa Eulalia and Aiyanna Ibiza at Cala Nova beach.
Exhibition places on Formentera
There are also several interesting galleries on Formentera, including the Centre Antoni Tur "Gabrielet" and the Municipal Exhibition Hall in the old town hall, both in the island capital San Francisco. The multipurpose space La Mola Lighthouse in the tiny village of La Mola also hosts exhibitions.
There are numerous other art exhibitions on both islands; search for them on Google or Facebook.
Museums on Ibiza
The island has a number of interesting museums, such as the excellent MACE contemporary art museum in Dalt Vila, the fortified old town of Ibiza, which really punches above its weight for a small island, featuring major international artists.
The Museo Puget, also located in Ibiza Town, shows the works of two famous artistic sons of Ibiza, Puget Viñas and Puget Riquer. Set in a beautiful old palace, the museum divides up the works of the painters into two different galleries and regularly hosts other exhibitions, such as photos of Ibiza in the past.
The Archaeological Museum of Ibiza and Formentera (MAEF) is set over two sites, one in Dalt Vila (the Dalt Vila Museum is temporarily closed for renovation) and the other in the Phoenician necropolis of Puig des Molins. Both take you on a journey through the many communities that have lived on Ibiza during its long history, with a display of artefacts found on the island from Punic and Roman times.
The Madina Yabisa Interpretation Centre, located near the cathedral in Ibiza Town, uses modern audio-visual technology to show the history of the city, focusing on the period known as Al-Andalus, when Ibiza was under Islamic rule.
Near the church of Santa Eulalia, you will find an old country house which is home to the Can Ros Ethnographic Museum of Ibiza. It shows the island's former more pastoral way of life, with all manner of household utensils and farming equipment. There's also jewellery, traditional costumes, musical instruments and even weapons. Here you can easily imagine rural life on the island a couple of hundred years ago.
Museums on Formentera
The Ethnographic Museum in San Francisco has a permanent exhibition of tools, furniture, clothing, instruments and other utensils, showcasing daily life on the small island until the mid-20th century.
In La Mola Lighthouse, you will find a cultural space for the maritime heritage of Formentera, plus conferences, concerts and small plays.
