Eighteen years after its first edition, Russafart returns this week to the Russafa neighborhood with 78 spaces open to the public and an event steeped in symbolism. The biennial—which opens its doors this weekend—has grown to become one of Valencia’s cultural landmarks, and it celebrates this with a slogan that aptly sums up its philosophy: “Public Art Reserve.”
The graphic image, designed by Arístides Rosell—general coordinator of the event alongside Rebeka Catalá, artistic coordinator—plays on the paradox of the term: in contrast to the idea of a “coto” as a closed and reserved space, the biennial proposes exactly the opposite, an open symbolic territory where art steps out of exclusive circuits to occupy the neighborhood’s studios, shops, streets, and bars.
Russafart’s central mission remains the same as when it was founded: to bring the public closer to the first link in the creative chain, the studio. That space where works are imagined, tested, and take shape before reaching any exhibition hall. This year, that experience expands with the artistic occupation of the Nave Cultural 3 Ribes in Central Park (CCNAVE3), which will host three projects coordinated by CISMA ART—featuring the collectives TARS LAB, SPACE CIRCLES, and the STACK MUNDI project by artist Solimán López—as well as an intervention by artist Lluís Salvador under the name RASPALL ART.
The space will thus become one of the focal points for experimentation in this edition, with digital art, video art, and audiovisual creation taking center stage.
A biennial with record numbers and a female majority
The 2026 edition arrives with figures that reflect its consolidation: 315 participating artists, 78 venues open to the public, 27 artistic disciplines, and 27 collaborating businesses.
Among the disciplines represented are painting, sculpture, illustration, photography, ceramics, textile art, muralism, augmented reality, and video art, among others.
The workshops will open to the public on Friday, June 5, starting at 7:00 p.m., with a reception and guided tour for friends and officials at CCNAVE3.
Over the weekend, workshops, exhibition spaces, shops, restaurants, and bars in the neighborhood will keep their doors open with a program that blends contemporary creation, citizen participation, and festive activities.
The closing event will take place on Sunday, June 7, at Sporting Club Russafa (5 Sevilla Street) with a concert by the cumbia group Los Perricolas.
The complete program, organized by day and venue, is now available on the Russafart website.