Sovereign Art Foundation in Portugal – more creativity, more collaboration and more community

The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) has been enjoying a busy few months in Portugal, bringing artists, patrons and families together through art.

We kicked off the season with a special exhibition event in support of O Banquete (1), a new open-call prize for emerging Portuguese artists organised by Galeria NAVE in Lisbon. The event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the wider creative community, while shining light on some of Portugal’s emerging artistic talent.

As part of the collaboration, one finalist will be awarded direct entry into the 2026 Sovereign Portuguese Art Prize. O Banquete (1) has appointed Howard Bilton, Chairman of both SAF and Sovereign Group, to its judging panel, strengthening ties between the two organisations.

SAF also organised a hands-on workshop for children at the exhibition, which was led by and inspired by the practice of Portuguese artist Sebastião Castelo Lopes, one of the O Banquete (1) shortlisted artists. Participants worked together to create a large-scale installation using words, drawings, symbols and personal stories, exploring how art can be a powerful tool for expression and connection. The room was filled with energy and enthusiasm as participants discovered new ways to tell their stories and connect.

We were also delighted to welcome Iranian artist Sharzadian for a workshop inspired by her mirror-based artworks and the ancient Persian poem The Conference of the Birds. In the poem, a flock of birds embarks on a journey in search of a leader, only to discover that the answers they seek lie within themselves.

Drawing on these themes of reflection and self-discovery, Sharzadian explored how mirrors can encourage us to look more closely at our identities and experiences. Participants then created their own mirrored artworks, reflecting on how we see ourselves and relate to others.

It was a pleasure to welcome internationally acclaimed New Zealand-born an artist, jeweller and taxidermist Julia deVille to Ando Living Rooftop for an intimate evening of conversation and connection. Known for her distinctive works inspired by Victorian traditions, natural history and the decorative arts, Julia shared insights into the themes of beauty, remembrance and the natural world that run throughout her practice.

The audience-led format encouraged thoughtful discussion and offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artist. The evening was made possible with the support of Howard’s Folly Wine, and was co-produced by Sassy Women Society and beautifully documented by photographer Zoya Magda.

To close the summer term, we will be hosting a free one-day filmmaking workshop for young people in Lisbon led by Chloe Jenden, the founder of Future Youth Media at the end of July. It is a co-production with filmmaking community initiative O QUADRO and the Sovereign Art Foundation, built specifically for kids who cannot afford access to creative programmes and might not otherwise get the chance to try visual storytelling with a camera in their hands.

This special one-day programme at the Palácio Grilo invites young people into the world of visual storytelling through hands-on filmmaking, encouraging creativity, self-expression and collaboration. We look forward to seeing participants explore new ways of sharing their ideas and experiences through film.
Looking ahead, we are excited to be bringing the 2026 Sovereign Portuguese Students Prize finalists’ exhibition to the Howard’s Folly winery in Estremoz, following a successful exhibition at Espaço JALI in Silves in the Algarve.

Celebrating the creativity, imagination and individuality of young artists from schools throughout Portugal, the exhibition brings together an inspiring collection of 30 shortlisted works and offers a glimpse into the diverse perspectives, ideas and artistic approaches of a new generation.

The exhibition in Estremoz opens on 8 August 2026 and runs through to October, before being presented once more at the Sociedade Nacional de Belas-Artes in Lisbon later in the year. The public vote is already underway. Members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite artwork in person at the exhibition or online as part of the Public Vote Prize.

All the shortlisted works are also available for purchase through the Sovereign Art Foundation’s charity auction. Proceeds from artwork sales support both the young artists themselves and the Foundation, which runs expressive arts programmes in Portugal led by certified art therapists, providing carefully structured sessions that use creative practice to support emotional wellbeing, communication and confidence.

We invite you to discover the finalists’ work, support these talented young artists and help raise funds for SAF Portugal’s charitable programmes here.

Whether through exhibitions, workshops or shared conversations, it has been a joy to see art bring people together and create meaningful experiences for our community. Together, these experiences have been a reminder of the many ways art can spark creativity, encourage self-expression, and foster meaningful connections.

We are grateful to everyone who has supported and participated in these programmes, and we look forward to welcoming more artists, families and supporters as we continue to build opportunities for engagement and communities through art.