Josué Mattos Founds Centro Cultural Veras in Florianópolis After Two-Decade Journey

In Florianópolis, Josué Mattos, a monk and curator, is launching the Centro Cultural Veras, a nonprofit cultural institution that has been in the making for over two decades. Originally from Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Mattos conceived this vision while residing in a monastery in Paraty and pursuing art studies in Paris. After returning to Brazil in 2010, he took on the role of curator to advance the center's development, which included the inaugural Frestas – Trienal de Artes in 2014. The project, estimated at R$2.35 million, is being financed through artist fees, property exchanges, and contributions from around 120 artists. The 1,100 m² facility, designed by Terra e Tuma Arquitetos Associados and Gabriella Ornaghi Arquitetura de Paisagem, is situated on Rua Vera Linhares. A crowdfunding initiative is currently underway to secure the remaining R$630,000 for its anticipated opening in 2021.