The Luis Méndez Gallery is undertaking a remodeling project with the goal of continuing to preserve artisan techniques and promote contemporary art through a modern, accessible approach.
Photo: Gsus Fernández
We will begin by adapting the Gallery’s façade to the surroundings in this historical neighborhood of the “Charra” capital in Salamanca and incorporating appropriate security measures for exhibiting works of art and artisan crafts. We will improve the lighting and the exhibit space in order to highlight the exhibited pieces and we will work on the staging of the live filigree technique workshop in order to make the artisan work methodology more accessible to visitors.
We thereby hope to consolidate this indispensable center for cultural promotion located in the heart of the historical center of Salamanca.
You can view and enjoy Ricardo Núñez’ incredible work on the staging mock-up in the top carousel of photographs.
Why have we chosen crowdfunding?
We are part of an artisan jewelry workshop and we believe that our project has certain aspects that deserve to be reinforced in modern-day society.
We feel that this is the most appropriate option since, despite being a private project, this initiative has public and educational ramifications due to the way we approach our work. Since the filigree technique is part of our Intangible Cultural Heritage, we thereby intend to consolidate the future of this technique through training and promotional projects focusing on its preservation.
We believe that artistic and artisan professions should be dynamic in order to break free from antiquated formulas of the past.
Photo: Ana Díaz-Cano
Our permanent exhibition currently features our own filigree pieces in addition to the work of twenty other artists/artisans, both national and international jewelers. We also feature a new contemporary art exhibition every quarter.
Over the past three years, we have primarily featured various visual artists who are students in the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Salamanca. Our exhibition space is currently collaborating with more than forty artists.
Benefits of contributing to the campaign
All patrons, regardless of their contribution, will receive a postcard or collection of postcards, which have been exclusively printed for the 10th Anniversary of the Luís Méndez Gallery, and an invitation to the inauguration event featuring an exhibition of the work of Juanjo Sánchez (Painting).
We will also stage live group demonstrations of the production process for filigree jewelry. These 45-minute demonstrations will be projected on a screen in order for the public to see our work in as much detail as possible.
Some of the contribution rewards include our traditional Charro Button, such as the recent award-winning Gardens Collection, at special prices for sponsors and unique creations.
All of the rewards include gifts to thank you for your collaboration, such as the Trade Museum Journal “A Vision of the World of Charra Filigree,” featured in a special edition for Verkami, as the original edition has been sold out.
Patrons may donate talks on the art of filigree in schools, museums and community centers, which will be held on a future date, agreed upon by both parties. They may also donate 40-hour training courses on the filigree technique to be held at the center of their choice, selected from any of the existing centers equipped for this purpose in various Spanish cities and abroad.
Photo: Estrella Sánchez Marcos
We would like all of our patrons to have a rewarding experience participating in the financing of an initiative with a modern, accessible approach, which develops connections between artists / artisans and promotes the development of products and projects that facilitate market access channels and improve the profitability of artistic and artisan production.
The goal is to promote artistic trades in a way that adapts to the current market conditions.
We defend the authenticity of artisan work and reinforce its artistic and cultural value in order to promote high-quality ethical products that form a part of our cultural heritage.
Who are we?
Brothers Jerónimo, Luis and Raul Méndez López are part of the third generation of a family of artisan filigree jewelers. We are following in the footsteps of our grandfather, who founded his workshop in 1928 in Tamames (Salamanca), after learning the trade alongside our father and teacher, Luís Méndez Vieira.
Photo: EOI-Fundesarte
Under the business name Luis Méndez Artesanos, we have become a model for the recovery of the filigree technique in contemporary jewelry-making.
Our work demonstrates the possibilities of this ancient technique by applying it to both classical models and contemporary creations.
Our pieces are greatly renowned, both nationally and internationally.
Recent Awards:
2015 National Artisan Award - Category: Product
Ministry of Industry and the EOI Foundation - Madrid (Spain), March 31, 2016
Special Award for the Best Business of the Year – City Council of Salamanca
November 27, 2014. Salamanca - Spain
Finalist - Aileen International Crafts Competition - World Crafts Council
October 21, 2014 Dongyang (Zhejiang) CHINA
What will your contributions help fund?
We hope to finance 50% of the investment with crowfunding (Verkami) and the rest through a loan.
Adapting to the historical surroundings
Freestone Façade: €2,400
Security for exhibited work
Security locks and windows: €3,100
Quality of exhibitions
Lighting: €2,390
Wooden floor (synthetic flooring) in the exhibit hall: €1,850
Demonstrations of the filigree technique for the public
Carpentry – Furniture: €2,100
Paint and staging: €2,750
Total: €14,590
Financing Goal: €7,295.00
What if we exceed the basic goal and extras for the patrons?
In that case, we would invest in updating our website…which is clearly needed!!
This is our first crowfunding experience and we would also like it to be a declaration of our intentions. If we can count on your support, we will come back with more training projects.
About the rewards
You can choose among different shipping categories for receiving your rewards at home. The rewards will be delivered or shipped after March 30th.
Anticipated Timeline
The project will be executed from January 30th to March 30th, 2017
+ info.
allianceforartisanenterprise.org
Acknowledgements:
Juan Carlos Navarro - Architect (Salamanca)
Very special thanks to Ricardo Núñez for his work on this remodeling project and three years of collaboration curating all the contemporary art exhibitions at the Luis Méndez Gallery.
Ricardo Núñez – Doctor of Fine Arts, University of Salamanca.
Professor at the University of Salamanca.
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