CajaCanarias Foundation Unveils 2026 Art and Photography Exhibition in Tenerife

The CajaCanarias Foundation has launched its annual exhibition, showcasing the artists selected for its 2026 competitions. The display, which runs at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Cultural Space until July 29, offers a snapshot of the current art scene in the Canary Islands, continuing a tradition that has supported local creators since the late 1990s.

The exhibition features around 20 works, split evenly between fine arts and photography. These pieces were chosen from nearly 100 submissions by expert juries. The finalists for the Manolo Millares fine arts award are Darío Machín González, Cristina Ortega, and Estefanía Batista Flores. In the photography category, named after Cebrián-Poldo Cebrián, the finalists are Emilio Barrionuevo, Jonay Pérez Matos, and María Rodríguez Cadenas.

Manuel Hernández, head of the Foundation’s culture department, noted that the exhibition highlights the vital role of private support in the islands' cultural life. He explained that these awards not only honor the artists' work but also help bring new creative perspectives to light, connecting local talent with a wider professional audience.

The winners will be announced at an awards gala in early 2027. In the meantime, the exhibition at the Plaza del Patriotismo is free to the public. It is open Tuesday through Friday, morning and afternoon, and on Saturday mornings. Further details on the awards and competition rules can be found on the Foundation’s website.