Rara Residencia wins Málaga prize for bringing art into rural life
Rara Residencia has won Málaga’s Antonio Garrido Moraga Cultural Prize for its contemporary art work in Villanueva del Rosario. Artists Verónica Ruth Frías and Cyro García lead the initiative. It is among five winners, each receiving 3,000 euros, selected from 150 applications. The provincial council’s award ceremony is scheduled for 18 November.
Arts··Midday
Rural contemporary art receives the award
Rara Residencia, a contemporary art initiative led by artists Verónica Ruth Frías and Cyro García in Villanueva del Rosario, Spain, has won Málaga’s Antonio Garrido Moraga Cultural Prize. The initiative receives 3,000 euros. The recognition concerns its work bringing contemporary art into a rural setting.[1], [2]
Málaga’s provincial council created the awards in 2018 to support cultural initiatives emerging from society across the province. Rara Residencia’s award is part of the same five-winner selection that recognises flamenco, theatre, urban art and film-club activity. The presentation gala is scheduled for 18 November at the council’s Edgar Neville auditorium.[1]
Five prizes share a 15,000-euro allocation
The competition received 150 applications by the 15 July deadline. Manuel López Mestanza, the council’s culture vice-president, described that as a participation record. The total allocation of 15,000 euros is divided equally into five awards of 3,000 euros. Artistic quality, innovation and contribution to Málaga’s cultural life were the jury’s selection criteria.[1]
Among Rara Residencia’s fellow recipients, flamenco dancer La Lupi was recognised for her career and work taking flamenco to wider audiences. Urban artist Lalone was honoured for his work and the international reach of Málaga Loves. Pata Teatro’s Clásicos en Verano revisits theatre classics and presents them outside conventional venues to audiences across the province.[1]
The jury represents Málaga’s cultural institutions
The remaining winner, Cine Club Más Madera in Benalmádena, was recognised for sustaining film screenings and discussion. López Mestanza chaired the jury, with culture director Pedro Bosquet Blanco as vice-chair. Its members included representatives of La Térmica cultural centre, the University of Málaga, the ACRO contemporary art festival and the Irreconciliables poetry festival, as well as Diario SUR, San Telmo art school and Elcamm music school.[1]
The prize commemorates Antonio Garrido Moraga, a university teacher and Andalusian parliamentarian who died in 2018. Previous recipients include Málaga Film Festival, Archidona’s public library, Ateneo de Málaga, Academia Malagueña de Ciencias and Revista Litoral.[1]
