Fernando Santos’s story is deeply intertwined with the artistic affirmation of Porto and the shaping of Bombarda’s cultural identity. His journey has been marked by persistence, vision, and an ongoing commitment to contemporary art.
“Educating for art is our contribution so that Porto understands us, visits us, and embraces us.”
Today, Galeria Fernando Santos stands as a key reference in the national landscape and a cornerstone in the consolidation of the Arts District in Miguel Bombarda.
Creative path and identity
Q: Fernando, tell us: who is the man behind Galeria Fernando Santos?
A: I’m someone who enjoys what he does. I was born connected to the Museu Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, in Amarante, and I’ve developed this project over nearly 40 years, always with passion. The close relationship with artists and collectors has grown stronger over time.
Q: What influence did your father’s work at the Museu Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso have on the artistic path you chose, within a different artistic movement — contemporary art?
A: I grew up in that institutional environment. My father brought me very close to the museum, and that’s where my appreciation for art was formed. Without that, I might never have followed this profession. Culture requires work and persistence. Developing a taste for collecting is a process built on trust — and the gallery has carried out that work seriously, alongside artists and collectors.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about the work that has been developed between the gallery, artists, and collectors?
A: I started in Amarante, then at Galeria Nasoni, a very important project where I stayed for seven years. Later, I settled on Rua Miguel Bombarda, where I’ve been since 1997. I also had a gallery in Lisbon, but I chose to focus on Porto. Today, we occupy an entire block and provide a true cultural service to the city.
Q: In an interview with the website Arte Capital, you mentioned that your collaboration with Galeria Nasoni was your gateway into Porto. Why do you refer to that gallery as a true “university”?
A: Because there are no schools to train gallerists. You learn through direct contact with artists and collectors. Galleries are the real schools, where collaborators gain experience before creating their own spaces or moving into museum institutions.
Q: What was going through the mind of a 22-year-old who decided to open his own art gallery? What were your aspirations at the time?
A: It happened by chance and opportunity. In 1993, the gallery was located on Rua D. Manuel II, but Rua Miguel Bombarda had available spaces at affordable prices. I moved here around 1997.
Miguel Bombarda and the beginning of a movement
Q: You are considered a pioneer in this area. How did the process of attracting fellow gallerists begin, shaping what we now know as the “Arts District”?
A: The process was natural. There were vacant spaces, and other gallerists gradually joined. Over time, the city reinvented itself. The title “Porto Capital of Culture” gave a huge boost, and tourism also played a role. But for tourism to exist, there must be culture — and it’s up to us to offer quality proposals so that visitors leave with a good impression of the city.
Spaces and accessibility
Q: The gallery has grown and connected several spaces — Project Room, CUBO, Espaço 531. What motivated this expansion?
A: The expansion came after a 15-year wait to secure the ideal space. Today, the gallery covers around 1,200 square meters. We unified the spaces to enhance the exhibition experience. We can’t stand still—there are always new projects underway.
Art, community, and urban culture
Q: You’ve said that the relationship between artist, gallerist, and collector is almost familial. How do you build these bonds of trust?
A: By being honest and consistent; trust takes time to build. Beyond exhibitions, we promote talks, conversations, and collaborations with museums and art centers in various cities. These partnerships strengthen the artistic ecosystem and bring people closer together.
Q: Do you envision one day having a museum of Portuguese contemporary art that does justice to what is produced today?
A: No, I’ve never thought about that (laughs). The gallery already functions as an active art center, with exhibitions and activities throughout the year. I’m also a collector, and my focus is balancing good investments with good art.
Recent challenges
Q: How has the recent experience of Galeria Fernando Santos at ARCOLisboa 2025 been? After all, in 2024 you participated and “sold almost everything”—what’s the balance this year?
A: We’ve been participating in art fairs for many years. They are unique opportunities to showcase artists, meet new collectors, and understand what is happening in contemporary art. ARCOLisboa is now a reference event, with strong international presence and an excellent networking environment. I encourage everyone to visit art fair — it’s the best way to understand the current landscape.
Looking to the future
Q: How do you see the Arts District in 5 or 10 years?
A: I would like the municipality to make the street more pleasant and accessible — perhaps pedestrianized, with wider sidewalks. There are cars parked on pavements and limited mobility. Creating culture means bringing people into the streets, and we need the right conditions for that: accessible, safe spaces where families and children can move around comfortably.
Q: What are your plans for Galeria Fernando Santos?
A: To continue doing what we’ve always done: supporting artists, energizing the district, and making the city more attractive. Educating for art is our contribution so that Porto understands us, visits us, and embraces us.
Walking along Rua Miguel Bombarda, one can feel Fernando Santos’s legacy: more than a gallery, it is a space for encounters and discoveries. Thirty years on, Galeria Fernando Santos continues to pulse with energy — between tradition and innovation, established and emerging artists.
The real impact lies in human relationships, in the community that has been built, and in the way an entire district has reinvented itself around it. For Fernando Santos, running a gallery is, above all, about cultivating a family — and art is the bond that unites it.
For more information about Galeria Fernando Santos:
Address: Rua Miguel Bombarda, nº526, 4050-379 Porto, Portugal
Phone: (+351) 226 061 090
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