“Ecologia Quotidiana” in Loulé: Exhibition, Dates and Visitor Tips

“Ecologia Quotidiana” is a contemporary art exhibition in Loulé, central Algarve, showcasing the first solo show by Portuguese artist Inês Coelho da Silva. Blending ecology, food and community, it’s ideal for culture lovers, expats and curious visitors.

What is “Ecologia Quotidiana”?

“Ecologia Quotidiana” is the first solo exhibition by artist and researcher Inês Coelho da Silva, curated by Kevin Bellò and presented at the cultural association Alfaia in Loulé. Rather than a traditional solo show focused on a single author, it highlights relationships, collaboration and shared practices.

The exhibition takes an expanded view of ecology, looking at the connections between living organisms, territories and ways of living together. It brings together edible installations, communal craft and collective imagination to explore how everyday gestures can nurture companionship and care.

Plants, ingredients, hands and voices are treated as inseparable. The show suggests that every artwork is shaped by a wider community – “it takes a village” – and invites visitors to think about how food, nature and social ties are woven together.

Why visitors and expats will enjoy this event

For international visitors and Algarve-based expats, “Ecologia Quotidiana” offers a thoughtful, slow-paced way to connect with local culture beyond the beach. The exhibition is rooted in Portuguese and European conversations around ecology and food, but presented in an accessible, sensory way.

Many of the activities are participatory, from botanical walks to shared meals, making it easy to meet people and experience Loulé’s creative community. If you’re a digital nomad or long-stay visitor, this is a great chance to discover an independent cultural space and see how contemporary art in the Algarve engages with everyday life.

What to expect at “Ecologia Quotidiana” in the Algarve

The core of the event is the exhibition itself, hosted at Associação Alfaia. You can expect:

• Installations that use plants, ingredients and edible elements to explore ecology and food politics.
• A strong focus on collaboration, gossip and fieldwork as artistic methods.
• Works that highlight communal craft, care and shared imagination.

Alongside the exhibition, there is a public programme of parallel activities, including:

• Opening night (27 March, 19:00–20:30: Exhibition inauguration and a “comestible installation” with Inés Ballesteros and Alicia Monreal Ortega.
• Botanical walk (28 March, 10:00–12:30): A guided plant walk with Fernanda Botelho (registration required).
• Plant embroidery workshop (28 March, 15:00–16:30): Led by Inês Coelho da Silva, focusing on stitching plant motifs (registration required).
• Artist conversation (28 March, 16:30–18:00): A talk with Alicia Monreal Ortega, Inés Ballesteros, Inês Coelho da Silva and Inês Miguel Oliveira.
• Fava bean threshing and soup preparation (29 March, 10:00–12:30): Hands-on food preparation (registration required).
• Collective lunch (29 March, 13:00–14:30): Shared meal featuring fava bean soup (registration required).

Activities marked as registration-only are limited to 15 participants and require advance sign-up via the email contacts provided by Associação Alfaia.

Practical information

Dates and opening times

The exhibition opens on Friday 27 March at 19:00 and remains on show until 23 May.

Visiting hours are:

• Thursdays and Fridays: 14:30–18:00
• Saturdays: 10:00–13:30 and 14:30–18:00

The parallel activities take place mainly between 27 and 29 March, with specific time slots for each event as listed above.

Tickets and entry

Entry to the exhibition is free.

The botanical walks, workshops and communal meals require prior registration and are limited to 15 participants. To request a place, you should contact the organisers using the email addresses provided in the original event information.

About the artist

Inês Coelho da Silva (b. 1996) is a Portuguese artist and researcher based between Santa Maria da Feira (Portugal) and Milan (Italy). Her practice sits at the intersection of ecology, food politics and tacit knowledge, often using edible installations, collective practices and gestures of care.

She holds a Master’s degree in Sculpture from the Royal College of Art (UK) and a degree in Sculpture from the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Porto (Portugal). Her recent projects include participation in Walk&Talk – Bienal de Artes 2025 in São Miguel, where she won the Open Call with the project “Gossip and the Commons”.

How to get to “Ecologia Quotidiana” in Loulé

Loulé is an inland town in the central Algarve, within easy reach of many popular coastal resorts and Faro. It makes a straightforward day trip if you are staying along the central coast.

Most visitors will find it easiest to arrive by car, especially if you plan to attend the morning walks or evening events. If you are flying into the region, it can be helpful to compare Faro Airport car hire options so you can explore Loulé and other inland cultural spots at your own pace.

Once in Loulé, Associação Alfaia is located in town, so you can expect to reach it on foot from the central area.

Tips for making the most of your visit

• Consider timing your visit for the opening weekend if you want to join the walks, workshops or communal meals.
• Arrive a little early for registered activities, as places are limited and groups are small.
• Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing for the botanical walk.
• Allow time to explore Loulé’s streets and local cafés before or after your visit.
• If you’re planning a longer stay, use this event as one of several cultural things to do in the Algarve beyond the beaches.

Make a day of it in the Algarve

Visiting “Ecologia Quotidiana” is a great excuse to spend a full day in and around Loulé, combining contemporary art with a wander through this historic inland town. You can easily pair the exhibition with a relaxed lunch, a coffee in the centre or a drive out to nearby coastal areas later in the day, making it a varied cultural stop on your Algarve itinerary.