The two winning artists of the OPEN CALL of the 3rd edition of VAGABUNDAS – Mercedes Blasco Artistic Residencies are now known.

During the month of February, the VAGABUNDAS Open Call took place, which this year received 36 applications . The program, promoted by Companhia Cepa Torta , with the support of the Municipality of Mértola and in partnership with the Serrão Martins Foundation and Rua das Gaivotas 6 , has the mission of boosting artistic creation among women and promoting decentralized artistic development , particularly in communities affected by desertification.

The jury of this edition – composed of artists Cláudia Jardim, Patrícia Portela and Inês Achando – had the difficult task of choosing the two winning projects.

The selected ones were:

Carminda Soares with the project “Rust”

Inês Minor with the project “Healer’s Root”

The Projects

🎭 “Rust” , by Carminda Soares

A conference-performance that draws a parallel between abandonment, mourning and loneliness and the landscape of the Mina de S. Domingos . Through the geological and social transformation of this territory, it reflects on emptiness and absence – not only as physical states, but as consequences imposed by contemporary sociopolitical systems .

🌿 “Healer’s Root” , by Inês Minor

This project investigates the legacy of healers and witches based on oral tradition, recovering popular knowledge, legends and narratives still present in the collective memory of the Mina de S. Domingos community. The work questions the relationship between Nature and women , exploring the importance of community self-sufficiency in a possible collapse of traditional systems .

Residency and Presentations

📍 Artistic Residency | S. Domingos Mine, Mértola

📅 March 27 – May 4, 2025

📍 Public presentations :

🔸 May 4th – S. Domingos Mine

🔸 May 10th – Lisbon, Rua das Gaivotas 6

During the month of April , Carminda Soares and Inês Minor will be in residence at Mina de S. Domingos , taking advantage of this inspiring territory and the contact with the local community to develop their creative projects. The VAGABUNDAS program thus continues to guarantee essential conditions for artistic creation , highlighting the difficulties that female artists still face in developing their work in Portugal.