It’s set to be a lively year, with a full programme of new exhibitions, special events, and plenty of reasons to stop by. The celebrations will peak on 15 September, when ArtCatto plans a big anniversary party — a chance to celebrate not just the gallery itself, but the artists, collectors, and community that have shaped it over the past fifteen years.
Located inside one of Loulé’s striking historic red buildings, ArtCatto feels less like a traditional gallery and more like a welcoming cultural meeting place. It’s free to enter, open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and on Saturday mornings, and it genuinely feels welcoming as everyone is invited in — from seasoned collectors to curious locals and school groups taking their first steps into contemporary art.
Founded on experience and vision
ArtCatto was founded in 2011 by Gillian Catto, who spent more than three decades running a successful gallery in London. When she moved to the Algarve, she felt the region deserved greater access to high-quality contemporary art — and ArtCatto was born from that vision.
Today, the gallery brings together a carefully selected group of international artists, each chosen for their originality, technical skill, and strong individual style. There’s a clear focus on urban and pop art, which gives the space a modern, vibrant feel and a real sense of global energy. Many of the artists shown here already have strong international reputations, helping establish ArtCatto as one of southern Portugal’s most important contemporary art destinations.
The people behind the gallery
When I visited the gallery, I was welcomed by Frederic Ponte, who took the time to walk me through both the space and the artworks on display. His extensive knowledge and passion for art are obvious, but what really stands out is how much he genuinely enjoys talking about the artists and their work.
Frederic has been part of ArtCatto since 2013. He originally joined after finishing his degree in business management, helping with the gallery’s operations and accounting. Over time, his role has grown naturally. Today, he’s closely involved in curating exhibitions, selecting artists, and shaping the gallery’s direction, working side by side with owner Gillian Catto, who remains very hands-on in every aspect of the gallery.
Beyond Loulé: ArtCatto’s Wider Reach
ArtCatto’s influence extends well beyond Loulé. The gallery has an ongoing partnership with Conrad Algarve, where a permanent collection is displayed year-round in Quinta do Lago. This collaboration also hosts special exhibitions and cultural evenings that blend art with international diplomacy — from Chinese-themed events attended by visiting artists and embassy representatives to Indian nights hosted in the presence of the Indian Ambassador.
ArtCatto also has a pop-up space called Art in the Parc, located inside the V-Life Shops at the luxurious Vila Vita Parc hotel. The space is open to both hotel guests and visitors, offering a different, more relaxed way to encounter contemporary work in a beautiful setting.
Evolving with confidence
Although ArtCatto is often associated with strong figurative work, the gallery isn’t afraid to evolve. Last summer, they organised an exhibition that marked an exciting shift toward abstract art. The show featured Stallman, the collaborative duo of Jason Hallman and Stephen Stum, whose richly textured, sculptural paintings explore colour and form in bold, unexpected ways.
A new exhibition at ArtCatto
The current exhibition brings together work by Annalù Boeretto, Darryn Eggleton, Erika Toliusis, and Jurgen Lingl.
What connects these artists is a shared sensitivity to place, memory, and inner landscapes. All four artists work from lived experience rather than pure concept: nature, emotion, identity, and transformation recur in different forms. There’s a strong sense of story and presence in all their work, which makes them appear very naturally together in one exhibition at ArtCatto Gallery.
Annalù Boeretto’s work is featured on our cover page. She works in a very intuitive way, trusting feelings more than plans. Her paintings seem to grow slowly, layer by layer, as if she’s listening to something inside and responding to it in real time. Nothing feels rushed; instead, the work asks you to pause and really look. There’s emotion there, but it’s gentle and honest rather than loud — the kind that stays with you. Through texture, subtle marks, and a quiet use of colour, her pieces feel intimate, almost like personal memories that have found a visual form.
Jürgen Lingl works with a deep respect for material and form. Whether abstract or suggestive of natural structures, his work feels grounded and thoughtful. There’s a calm confidence in his approach — a sense that nothing is rushed — and his pieces often evoke a sense of balance, resilience, and the quiet intelligence of nature itself.
Buying art made easy
If you’re interested in buying one of the pieces, ArtCatto makes the whole process easy. For clients in the Algarve, the gallery handles transport and installation at home. If you’re unsure about the size of a work or how it will fit in your space, Frederic is always happy to offer practical advice.
For international clients, the artworks are carefully packed, insured, and shipped safely to their destination. The gallery also handles the necessary paperwork and customs details. As Frederic explained to me, the idea is simple: “clients shouldn’t have to worry about the logistics.”
To stay updated on exhibitions and upcoming events, you can follow @artcatto_gallery on Instagram or visit artcatto.com.