MEET THE WINNERS OF THIS EDITION OF VAGABUNDAS '26
Maria Antunes
Rita Westwood
Find out more about the two winners of this edition through their biographies by clicking on the photos.
During February 2026, the VAGABUNDAS Open Call – Mercedes Blasco Artistic Residencies – took place, now in its fourth edition. The objective was to select two artists to receive a grant and artistic residency at the São Domingos Mine, in the municipality of Mértola.
The program, promoted by Companhia Cepa Torta, has the support of the Mértola Municipal Council and is carried out in partnership with the Serrão Martins Foundation and Rua das Gaivotas 6. The central mission of the project is to boost artistic creation by women and promote artistic development in communities affected by desertification.
The 2026 edition consolidated the program's impact by receiving 39 applications. The jury — composed of Catarina Requeijo, Laura Lopes, and Inês Achando — highlighted the high quality and diversity of themes in the submitted proposals, which reflect a vibrant and plural landscape of contemporary creation in Portugal.
See the Jury's Statement here.
The Artists and the Selected Projects
Maria Antunes | Project "NINFA" (provisional title)
A solo performance that explores the female body as a territory of power, desire, and self-determination. The project questions the historical construction of women as objects and reconfigures the mythological archetype of the "nymph," proposing sensuality as an autonomous force.
Rita Westwood | Project "weeping. rest. lament. rest"
A proposal that revives the ancestral ritual of professional mourners as a political and performative gesture. The project uses public weeping and lamenting to disrupt the social order and foster a collective catharsis about the state of the world.
Calendar and Presentations 2026
The artists will be in residence at the São Domingos Mine, in the municipality of Mértola, taking advantage of direct contact with the territory and the local community for the development of their works.
Artistic Residency | Mina de S. Domingos - April 6th to May 6th
Workshop open to community participation - April 11th, 3 PM | Musical, São Domingos Mine
Public presentations:
🔸 May 3rd – 5 PM, Cineteatro, Mina de S. Domingos
🔸 May 9th – 6 PM, Rua das Gaivotas 6, Lisbon
MEET THE JURY OF THE 3RD EDITION
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WHAT IS THE VAGABUNDAS CREATION RESIDENCE?
VAGABUNDAS is an artistic creative residency that aims to promote artistic creation in the feminine and at the intersection with the development of decentralized artistic work, particularly in communities with development and desertification problems.
With an annual frequency, this residency is inspired by the story of Mercedes Blasco, one of Conceição Vitória Marques' many pseudonyms, and the name of her best-known literary work “Vagabunda”, a diary of memories of the woman and the artist. Recognizing her importance and having her as an inspiration is to reinforce her existence, her legacy and give her the political relevance that, in life, Mercedes did not have.
WHO IS IT INTENDED FOR?
Artists of Portuguese nationality or residing in Portugal, of legal age, who identify as female, whether cisgender or transgender.
What do they offer?
An artistic residency focused on creation, investigation, and research, lasting approximately one month, at the São Domingos Mine , for two artists selected through an open call.
A creation grant of €1000 (one thousand euros) for each selected artist;
Shared workspace at the São Domingos Mine;
Accommodation and allowances for food and travel expenses for the period of residence at the São Domingos Mine and stay in Lisbon for public sharing (3 days).
SUPPORTS
