New winds blow for Patagonia's artists

Efforts are underway to foster unity among artists in Argentina's expansive Patagonia region, an area covering approximately 930,000 square kilometers and six provinces. Despite the geographical challenges, several initiatives are working to strengthen the collective power of the region's artists.

The Cuero network stands as a primary driver of this movement. Described as a "horizontal, autonomous, and affective organization where collaboration is a living practice," Cuero is an independent network comprising cultural managers, artists, curators, researchers, educators, and gallerists. Their 2026 mapping identified 76 spaces and 49 contemporary visual arts managers, with numbers continuously growing. The network emphasizes "affectivity and trust" as its foundation, preserving the freedom and flexibility of self-management.

Further bolstering this artistic convergence is the inaugural "Nodo Patagonia," scheduled from November 13 to 15. This annual program, organized by Meridiano (Argentine Chamber of Contemporary Art Galleries), aims to develop the commercial side and promote artistic talent from Patagonia. Hosted at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Neuquén, the event seeks to boost the Patagonian art market, cultivate new audiences, and build connections with collectors and professionals nationwide.

A significant announcement accompanying "Nodo Patagonia" is the forthcoming creation of the region's first art fair, COPA. Slated for early 2027 in Plottier, Neuquén, the fair will be held at "La Reserva Barrio Botánico," a unique estate featuring a Basque-French rural-style house, its own forest, and a small branch of the Limay River. COPA will initially focus exclusively on projects, galleries, and artists from Patagonia. "There is a movement in Patagonia to start generating a circuit. We need to group together, meet face-to-face, be able to see our work, support each other, talk about our processes, and, of course, attract buyers," explained director Marianela Tisberger Zuain.

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horizontal, autonomous, and affective organization where collaboration is a living practice