Cerdeira, village view, 2024
Tatiana Simões introduces Karine Locatelli, whose work flourished in this idyllic Portuguese village.
(A message to the reader in Portuguese.)
(A message to the reader in English.)
Nestled in the heart of Portugal, Cerdeira—Home for Creativity is not merely a village, it’s an example of resilience, sustainability, and the transformative power of art.
Emerging from the threat of depopulation and isolation due to agricultural activity in the middle of the twentieth century, Cerdeira has new stories to tell. New inhabitants have, with their persistence and willpower, breathed life and purpose back into this place. Visitors and artists choose to spend their time in the village and come in search of inspiration.
The reconstruction of Cerdeira represents more than just a restoration project. This ancient village was a labor of devotion by local people who understood the significance of preserving its heritage. Schist stone, a main character of the village’s landscape, and chestnut wood, deeply rooted in the local culture, were the primary building materials.
Cerdeira’s architectural design embodies a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, where ecological consciousness is essential. The village embraces sustainable practices, from the choice of materials to everyday living. Cork insulation, nontoxic treatments, fostering a circular economy within the villages’ different services, and partial reliance on solar energy are some innovations employed to minimize the ecological footprint.
Integrating modern comforts within the village’s historical context is a delicate balance. The challenge was adapting Cerdeira to contemporary living demands without compromising its identity and aesthetic heritage. The result is a series of houses that are not just functional but also resonate with the simplicity and beauty of rural life, a harmonious coexistence between the old and the new. The houses feature wood-burning stoves that coexist with a seamless infrared central heating system.
Each house tells a story—a narrative woven through ceramics, wood sculptures, textile art, and painted tiles. These artistic interventions enhance the guest experience and serve as a bridge between past and present, communicating Cerdeira’s heritage to a global audience.
This is a village that opens up to the world with sympathy and hospitality
In addition to the families living in Cerdeira, the village has eleven houses and an Arts & Crafts School to host visitors and artists all year round. They come from all corners of the world, from Alaska to Australia, Japan to Mexico. This is a village that opens up to the world with sympathy and hospitality, a meeting point that welcomes international groups with different backgrounds and cultures to learn and create.
Cerdeira is more than a village. It is a place where art, community, and nature intersect through workshops, masterclasses, and artistic residencies. Locals, travellers, and art enthusiasts come together, forging connections and experiencing the transformative power of creativity.
Cerdeira – Home for Creativity multidisciplinary programs showcase hands-on experiences that celebrate arts and crafts in all their forms, taking advantage of surrounding nature and the silence that it provides. Cerdeira is open to those seeking inspiration and connection, offering a sanctuary where nature, culture, and creativity converge. In Cerdeira, the mountains aren’t just a location, they are a source of inspiration. Cerdeira’s isolation amid dense mountains fosters a sense of community. It reminds us of our interdependence with nature and how everything is connected and fragile.
This is also a perfect place to welcome artistic residencies for those who seek a place to learn through the Arts & Crafts School or develop personal projects while enjoying the silence and the surrounding setting ideal for creative work.
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- Karine Locatelli at work in Cerdeira
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- Karine Locatelli, Galerie Champagne et Paradis
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- Karine Locatelli, Galerie Champagne et Paradis
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- Kiln at Cerdeira
For artists like Karine Locatelli, a visual artist from Quebec, Canada, Cerdeira was a place that allowed her to strengthen the relationship between her drawing, installation work, landscape art, and ceramics while learning new methods and techniques in one of our 10-day course, the Ceramics & Woodfiring Course guided by Marc Lancet.
“(Cerdeira) really allows me to strengthen the link between my drawing, installation work, landscape work, and ceramics practice. Reinforcing all these elements allows me to push this research further.”
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Karine was inspired by the strong connection between art and nature in Cerdeira, particularly integrating handmade objects into daily life. She practices ceramics and outdoor drawing, drawing inspiration from the local landscape abundant with pines, eucalyptus, varied flora, and ruins.
Her artist residency results from a beautiful partnership between two entities (Cerdeira X ARTEA), who believe in equal opportunities for artists by creating an inclusive space for artistic exchange, learning, and creation. Therefore, it is a good example of how an immersive experience in nature can transform an artist’s path.
In the short space of two weeks, Cerdeira can provide solitude and silence to encourage new ideas and inspiration for personal projects, but also community and sharing, which creates a bond of work and companionship between the participants who share the same learning experience and all those who live and work in the village.
Here, amidst the mountains’ peaceful embrace, artists find inspiration and a sense of belonging—a harbor where they can explore, create, and connect. Cerdeira is a testament to the enduring spirit of community, where the threads of creativity, tradition, and sustainability are intricately woven.
About Tatiana Simões
Tatiana Simões has worked at Cerdeira – Home for Creativity for two years, managing the Arts & Crafts School. She graduated from Artistic Studies and Marketing Management and has worked in event management, sales, and tourism. At Cerdeira she found her second home, where she is happy to organize the courses and activities and to welcome participants and artists from all over the world to Serra da Lousã, Portugal. Visit www.cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com and follow @cerdeirahomeforcreativity/.
