La Casa de Artistas Is Born
Updated: Oct 10
Some stories take years to mature. And then there are those that sweep you away without warning and barely leave you time to catch your breath. Casa de Artistas is one of those.
Love at first sight: The magic of our space in Cómpeta
In early July, I pushed open the door of this house in Cómpeta and I knew. Instantly. It wasn't a matter of square metres or the view of the mountains. It was something else: a soul, a presence, a certainty. The walls had something to tell (and so did the magnificent floors), and I wanted to listen to them. I didn't hesitate for a second. This was the one.
Behind the scenes: A team with a whole lot of heart
After that, everything moved very fast. There was so much to organise, to fit out, to imagine, often in a rush and always with the heart. I want to say a huge thank you here to Sergio Fernandez. Without him, without his energy and his know-how, none of this would have been possible in such a short time.
But launching a place like this is not just a matter of fitting it out. Behind the door that opens, there is a whole invisible world: a website to create so that the Casa also exists beyond the village, and I thank Frédérique Morisod with all my heart for bringing it to life with talent and patience.
There were the insurance policies, the formalities, the paperwork we would rather forget but without which nothing is possible. There was the communication, the posters, the messages, the social media, so that everyone would know a new house was opening its doors. And then the organisation, those thousand little details to think through, plan and adjust until the very last minute. Intense weeks, sometimes dizzying, but so beautiful.
The debut at the Paseo del Arte
And then came the Cómpeta Art Walk. Opening the Casa at the moment when all of Cómpeta breathes art was both an obvious choice and a gamble. I wasn't alone in taking it on: Karin Van Beeck, my “partner in crime”, was by my side from start to finish. Her good humour, her energy and her companionship turned those days into a time of shared joy. Karin, thank you for being there, quite simply.
What I received during those days went beyond anything I had imagined. There were people, smiles, curious glances, kind words, shared emotions. A wave of love, quite simply. If I had any doubt left, it vanished: I had made the right choice.
An unforgettable night: The music of Elvira
And as if that were not enough, on the evening of the inauguration, Suzanne, the organiser of the Cómpeta Art Walk, gave me a gift I will never forget: a concert by Elvira. The warm, deep notes of her bassoon filled the house, and for a few moments, time stood still.
I saw eyes shining around me, and mine too. I believe that was the moment the Casa truly came to life. Thank you, Suzanne. Thank you, Elvira.
To all those who, near or far, helped bring this project to life, with a helping hand, a piece of advice, a word of encouragement or simply their presence: a thousand thanks. You are already part of this house's story.
Looking to the future: The "Casa de Artistas" Association
Because this is only the beginning. Casa de Artistas aims to be a place of encounters, exchange and creation. A place rooted in the village, nourished by its residents and its artists, and at the same time wide open to the world. A place where people come to exhibit, learn, share and imagine together. To give it solid and lasting foundations, we are currently setting up the non-profit association “Casa de Artistas”, which will carry the project and allow it to grow with everyone who wishes to join in.
I won't manage it on my own, and I don't want to. The house is open to initiatives, to ideas, to aspirations. Are you an artist, a craftsperson, a musician, a storyteller, or do you simply have a creative project looking for a place to blossom? Don't hesitate to get in touch. Come and see me, write to me, let's talk.
The best is yet to come.
With all my gratitude,
Caroline
Comments