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The groundbreaking spirit of Persianes amb Art continues to transcend boundaries — and now, it has reached the academic world. In a remarkable milestone for the cultural scene of the Costa Blanca, the artistic intervention taking place in Els Poblets for the past three years will now become the subject of study at the University of Barcelona. Specifically, it will be examined by students from the Fine Arts degree as well as those from the Faculty of Education. The decision was made by the university’s Grup d’Innovació Docent M.I.M.A (Memòria i Matèria Artística), which aims to “consolidate quality teaching in higher artistic education”. Its director, Rafael Romero, described the initiative developed by Els Poblets Town Council, the Fundació Baleària and ArtambB as “a valuable object of knowledge”. He explained that it will be shared across various courses and programmes as “reflective, exemplary and motivational material on citizen participation in art, cooperation, cultural revitalisation, equality, identity, memory and a culture of peace”. Streets turned into a museum – and a celebration Indeed, one of Persianes amb Art’s greatest achievements has been creating a meeting point between the artists who have transformed the traditional shutters of Els Poblets’ streets into canvases and the residents who have embraced and supported the project from the start. The community has made it their own, rolling up their sleeves and taking part. This collaboration has turned the town’s streets into an open-air museum — and a joyful celebration. That is exactly what the University of Barcelona seeks to highlight in its study. The streets of Els Poblets have burst into colour and creativity as Persianes amb Art takes over the town on Sunday October 5. Murals, installations, exhibitions, live music and interactive workshops have transformed the area into a vibrant open-air gallery, where traditional Mediterranean shutters become canvases celebrating the region’s artistic spirit. Creating popular art together Launched in 2023 by the Fundació Baleària, Els Poblets Town Council and the Art amb B association, Persianes amb Art was created to establish an annual cultural event using art as a tool for social transformation and dialogue through creativity, deeply rooted in Mediterranean identity. Each year, the initiative brings together artists from the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community, encouraging cultural exchange and building bridges across Mediterranean communities. Now in its third edition, the festival has reached new heights, confirming its status as one of the Marina Alta’s must-see cultural events. A total of 25 artists have taken part this year, breathing new life into Carrer Major after previous editions illuminated Plaça del Consell and Carrer Sant Josep. Artists and neighbours unite to bring colour, identity and memory The 25 new creations join the 50 shutters painted in earlier years. For the first time, the event also featured an ‘inclusive shutter’, designed by students from Denia’s Raquel Payà special education school – which, fittingly, turned out to be the largest of all. Renowned artist Rafael Armengol was the guest of honour, adding prestige to the festival, while the local women’s association put on a one-of-a-kind parade featuring 80 hand-decorated baskets created in collaboration with the participating artists.
