Galería Pedro Esquerré Facts for Kids

The Galería Pedro Esquerré is a cool museum and art center in Matanzas, Cuba. It's part of the Provincial Council of Fine Arts and Cultural Heritage in Matanzas.

Quick facts for kids
Galería Pedro Esquerré

Established	1960
Location	Matanzas Cuba
Type	Museum, Art Center
Collections	Contemporary Cuban Art
Owner	Provincial Council of Fine Arts, Matanzas

A Look at the Gallery's History
- The Building's Special Style
- The Gallery's Home Since 1960
Exciting Art Exhibitions
Images for kids
See also

A Look at the Gallery's History

The Galería Pedro Esquerré is located in a building called "La Vigía." This building was constructed a long time ago, between 1880 and 1830. It was first meant for a customs house. The building was also known as The San José de la Vigía Battery.

The Building's Special Style

"La Vigía" is very important for its history and architecture. It has a special design called eclectic-style arcades. It stands with other important 19th-century buildings in Plaza de la Vigía in Matanzas. These include the Sauto Theater and the Museo Provincial. The building is considered one of the most famous in the city. It is also recognized as a historical heritage site.

The Gallery's Home Since 1960

Since 1960, the Galería Pedro Esquerré has been in this building. It serves as a museum and art center. Today, the building also has homes on the top floor. There is a coffeehouse in the basement. Since 1985, a special publisher called Ediciones Vigía has been on the ground floor. This publisher makes unique handmade art books. It is the only one of its kind in Cuba.

Exciting Art Exhibitions

The Galería Pedro Esquerré is a place where art comes to life. It hosts many exhibitions and cultural events. The museum is currently led by Juan Francisco González. He is the director of the Provincial Council of Visual Arts in Matanzas. The gallery is named after Pedro Esquerré. He was a famous artist from Matanzas. His painting "The trial of Osiris" was even admired by Che Guevara in 1960.

Showcasing Cuban and International Artists

The museum often displays contemporary art. These shows feature artists from Cuba and other countries. The gallery has also been a venue for the Havana Biennial several times. It worked on a big international project called "Rios intermitentes" in 2019. This project included famous artists like María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Carrie Mae Weems, and Melvin Edwards.

Reopening After the Pandemic

The gallery had to close for a while during the Covid pandemic in 2020. But it reopened in 2021 with a new exhibition. This show was called "Seguimos en combate" (We Continue in Combat). It featured many talented local artists.

Special Collaborations

In May 2022, the gallery worked with The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba. They presented an exhibition called "Vest + Menté." This show featured works by Swiss-Cuban artist Daniel Garbade. His large painted clothes told stories about his family from Matanzas.