ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Madrid and Barcelona Gallery Weekends Kick Off Autumn Season with Strong Local Focus

festival-fair · 2026-04-27

For the first time, Madrid and Barcelona simultaneously launched their Opening Gallery Weekends, sparking debate. Madrid's 14th Apertura, curated by Arte Madrid, showcased 56 galleries across neighborhoods such as Lavapiés and Salamanca, with events held in alternative venues. The Carabanchel area is becoming a notable artistic center. Nerea Fernández, president of Arte Madrid, and vice-president Lucía Mendoza highlighted the galleries' commitment to future vision and social accountability. A new digital platform, exhibify.com, facilitates online viewing and sales. This autumn's exhibitions feature solo presentations by Spanish artists like Darío Villalba and Chema Madoz, alongside international figures such as Fernanda Fragateiro and Nancy Spero. Barcelona's 9th Gallery Weekend included 27 galleries, presenting around 70 artists, including Joan Fontcuberta and Ignasi Aballí.

Key facts

  • Madrid and Barcelona held their Opening Gallery Weekends simultaneously for the first time.
  • Madrid's Apertura involved 56 galleries from Arte Madrid.
  • Carabanchel district is becoming an artistic hub with relocated galleries.
  • New online sales platform exhibify.com launched for Madrid galleries.
  • Antonio Saura retrospective at Opera Gallery Madrid until October 16.
  • Barcelona Gallery Weekend featured 27 galleries and 70 artists from over 20 countries.
  • Ignasi Aballí exhibits at Palmadotze after transforming the Spain Pavilion at Venice Biennale.
  • Jaime Hayón shows pop-naif paintings at L21 Barcelona.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Arte Madrid
  • Sabrina Amrani
  • Fer Francés
  • Galeria Nueva
  • Leandro Navarro
  • Daniel Cuevas
  • Elvira González
  • Ehrhardt Flórez
  • F2
  • Elba Benítez
  • Helga de Alvear
  • Maisterravalbuena
  • Centro Botín
  • Nogueras Blanchard
  • Marlborough
  • Opera Gallery
  • Fundación Antonio Saura
  • Art Barcelona
  • ángels barcelona
  • Palmadotze
  • L21 Barcelona
  • Fabrica de Benetton
  • Comunidad de Madrid
  • Arte_Madrid
  • Cayón
  • Juana de Aizpuru
  • Fernando Pradilla
  • F2 Galeria
  • Maisterbuena
  • Elvira Gonzalez
  • The Goma
  • BaT Alberto Cornejo
  • ArcoMadrid
  • Artribune
  • Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend
  • Travesía Cuatro
  • Albarrán Bourdais
  • Galería Elba Benítez
  • La cometa
  • carlier | gebauer
  • Nieves Fernández
  • El Apartamento
  • Prats Nogueras Blanchard
  • The Ryder Project
  • Guillermo de Osma
  • Villa Magdalena
  • Maisterra
  • 1 Mira Madrid
  • 2 Mira Archiv
  • La Oficina
  • Belmonte
  • Editions
  • Bienal de Pedrosa
  • exibart.es
  • Barcelona Gallery Weekend
  • Picasso Museum
  • MACBA
  • MNAC
  • Fundacio Joan Miró
  • Fondation Tàpies
  • Sala Pares
  • Mayoral
  • Bombon Projects
  • RocioSantaCruz
  • etHall
  • FAD Magazine
  • Museo Lázaro Galdiano
  • La Casa Encendida
  • CentroCentro
  • Matadero Madrid
  • Museo Cerralbo
  • Reina Sofía
  • ARCO GalleryWalks
  • Café Gijón
  • Abierto València
  • LAVAC
  • IVAM
  • CCCC
  • Bombas Gens
  • PhotoEspaña
  • Museo de Bellas Artes
  • ABERTO
  • Contemporánea
  • T20
  • F2 Galería
  • José de la Mano
  • Gerhardt Braun Gallery
  • Parra & Romero

Locations

  • Madrid
  • Spain
  • Barcelona
  • Lavapiés
  • Letras
  • Salesas
  • Chamberi
  • Salamanca
  • Carabanchel
  • calle Serrano
  • Hospitalet de Llobregat
  • Santa Margarita i els Monjos
  • Huesca
  • Cuenca
  • Santander
  • Treviso
  • Italy
  • Chueca
  • Malasaña
  • las Cortes
  • Barrio de las Letras
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • America
  • Africa
  • Cuba
  • Venezuela
  • Germany
  • Parma
  • Retiro
  • Justicia
  • Hamburg
  • Berlin
  • Vienna
  • Austria
  • Brussels
  • Belgium
  • Lebanon
  • London
  • Valencia
  • Galicia
  • Santiago de Compostela
  • A Coruña
  • Vigo
  • Lugo
  • Ourense
  • Chamberí

Sources

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