ARTISTIC SIDE: Another side to Goa’s laid-back vibe is the several art galleries that encourage visitors to explore a completely different aspect of the State. Photo: Katia Goes
The purpose of art, or any creativity for that matter, is to make one feel and not to judge. And feelings, well, they are never wrong. As the saying goes, ‘You aren’t responsible for your first feeling or thought. However, you are responsible for your second thought and first action.’
Goa has been known to provide a platform for art to flourish. Just like an encouraging parent, through its setting and disposition, it has only inspired. Through it’s free flowing nature, it has given people the freedom and space to create and the number of artists who have relocated and made Goa their home is a testimony to that.
And in its not-so-tiny galleries and cultural hubs, Goa has created opportunities and provided platforms to showcase great art and craft. It goes both ways – art brightens up the empty rooms and these empty rooms crave for the feeling of being in the company of people who don’t otherwise visit.
Here are a handful of tiny places in Panjim that offer their walls to not-so-tiny artists and open their doors to the art-loving public.
Kala Academy Art Gallery
Situated in Panjim, Kala Academy is one of the oldest cultural hubs that has hosted events ranging from school annual days, to tiatrs, mando festivals and art shows. All in all, Kala Academy is an old soul with several timeless stories to share.
Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts
Nestled in Altinho, above the hustle and bustle of the city, is Sunaparanta Goa Centre for the Arts. Housed inside a vibrant colonial-era heritage house, this location is the chosen setting for gallery shows, community gatherings and other events, making Sunaparanta well known for all the right reasons.
Maquinez Gallery
Set foot into the Maquinez Palace at the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) premises to find the Maquinez Gallery hidden in plain sight. Providing opportunities for budding and professional artists to display their talent, this gallery has ample lighting and space and is probably preparing for its next show as you read this.
Sanskruti Bhavan
Sharing a common space with the Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library in Panjim is Sanskruti Bhavan, an art gallery on whose walls quite a few artists have hung their works and made passers-by step into the world of art and reflection.
Apart from art galleries, Goa also has several heritage houses, restaurants and public spaces that open their doors to collaborate with artists and art groups to help them showcase art and take people on a journey through the eyes of an artist.