ESTE ARTE 2026 Strengthens Uruguay’s Presence on the Global Contemporary Art Scene

The picturesque seaside town of José Ignacio, on Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, once again took center stage on the global contemporary art map with the twelfth edition of ESTE ARTE, the international art fair held at the VIK Pavilion. Set within a landscape where architecture and natural surroundings entered into dialogue with the artworks, the 2026 edition deepened a vision that has defined the fair since its inception: a distinctive, carefully paced experience that stands apart from the logic of overproduction.

With a focused selection of galleries and thoughtfully conceived projects, the fair prioritized meaningful encounters among artists, galleries, curators, and collectors. This approach translated into solo presentations and the unveiling of new works created specifically for ESTE ARTE 2026, reinforcing the fair’s commitment to depth, dialogue, and artistic intention.

As in previous years, Uruguay Country Brand supported ESTE ARTE by facilitating the presence of international specialized press. This edition welcomed journalist Tessa Solomon, an editor at ARTnews, who covered the fair and its activities, contributing to the international visibility of Uruguay as a cultural and creative destination.

In parallel, and in coordination with the National Institute of Visual Arts (INAV) of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Uruguay Country Brand also accompanied Uruguayan artists who participated in the Uruguay Pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025. This initiative strengthened their connections with international galleries and expanded their visibility within the global cultural landscape.

The opening of the fair, held on January 5, drew more than 1,500 attendees and brought together prominent figures from the worlds of art, culture, and business, including Alan Faena, Argentine hotel entrepreneur and real estate developer; Guibert Englebienne, co-founder of the global technology company Globant; and Daniel Awada, Argentine textile entrepreneur. During the opening night, the 14 participating galleries—representing cities such as Paris, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, and various locations across Uruguay—recorded sales ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 40,000, reaching an estimated total volume of USD 800,000.

Over its twelve-year history, ESTE ARTE has generated close to USD 22 million in transactions, cementing its role as a strategic platform for the contemporary art market in the region and as a vehicle for international visibility for artists and galleries.

Among the key developments of the 2026 edition was the launch of ESTE OFFsite, a program that extended the fair beyond the Pavilion to sites in José Ignacio, Punta del Este, and Garzón. Meanwhile, the ESTE Charlas program further reinforced the fair’s role as a space for critical reflection. Organized in collaboration with the Ama Amoedo Foundation and the Cervieri Monsuárez Foundation, the program featured internationally renowned figures such as Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, director of Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Berlin), and Magalí Arriola, former director of the Tamayo Museum in Mexico City.

As part of its work to strengthen regional cooperation and international engagement, Uruguay Country Brand fostered institutional connections that led to a discussion focused on the Venice Biennale, examining the participation of Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. The event was organized in collaboration with PromArgentina and the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage of the Government of Chile.

Uruguay was also confirmed as a participating country in the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale 2026, where it will be represented by artist Margaret Whyte with the work Antifrágil, curated by Patricia Bentancur. Uruguay will once again have its own national pavilion—an institutional distinction held by only a small number of Latin American countries.

During the 2026 edition, the fair’s awards were announced, reaffirming ESTE ARTE’s commitment to supporting contemporary creation and strengthening the regional artistic ecosystem. The second edition of the ESTE Don Báez Biennial Acquisition Award was presented, a biannual distinction promoted by the Don Báez Collection and funded by businesswoman and patron Claudia Weiss. Valued at up to USD 10,000, the award supports the acquisition of works selected from among the participating galleries. This year, it was awarded to Lola Goldstein, represented by Galería María Casado, for a work presented at ESTE ARTE 2026, and to Agustina Branchi, represented by Galería Aninat, for a work selected for acquisition despite not being exhibited in this edition of the fair.

The third edition of the ESTE Laetitia Philanthropic Award was also presented. Named in honor of Laetitia d’Aremberg, the award recognizes individuals who actively support and promote the arts in Uruguay. In 2026, it was unanimously awarded to Edda Kofler in recognition of her sustained commitment to the development of the national artistic community. The award statuette was created by Uruguayan artist Julia Castagno, and the jury was composed of Laura Bardier, Martín Castillo, Silvia Arrozés, and Renos Xippas.

Through its 2026 edition, ESTE ARTE reaffirmed its position as one of the leading contemporary art events in the Southern Cone and as a key platform for Uruguay’s cultural presence on the international stage.