The talent and creativity of more than 70 artists are taking over various cultural venues in Bucaramanga as part of the Biennial Exhibition of Fine Arts and Visual Arts Graduates from the Industrial University of Santander, “La BEBA 2026,” an initiative organized by the graduates with the support of the university.
The exhibition brings together works and projects from different generations across five venues in the city: the Centro Colombo Americano, the Bucaramanga Chamber of Commerce, the Custodio García Rovira House of Culture, the Casa del Libro Total, and UIS Bucarica.
The event aims to recognize the careers of those who were part of the University’s arts education programs and to learn about the paths they have forged since leaving the classroom.
“The goal of this event is to recognize artists who have graduated from our program or who were affiliated with it. Some studied for several semesters and then continued pursuing their artistic practice. The questions we ask ourselves are: What are our graduates doing? What are they contributing to contemporary art? And who are they?” said Marcell Bohórquez, organizer and curator of “La BEBA 2026.”
In addition to bringing together different generations of artists, the Biennial fosters an encounter between creators and audiences, while helping to strengthen collaborative networks around the visual arts in the city.
“A powerful element is the collective effort, because all of us artists exhibiting here bring our own audiences, and we energize one another. I think this gathering is essential because it allows us to make connections, remember, and reflect. To remember is also to live,” said Rafael Prada, a participating artist.
The exhibitions have sparked the interest of visitors, who highlight the importance of bringing different artistic expressions to the public and creating new spaces to discover the work of local artists.
“You can feel the effort and passion the artists put into their projects. It’s great because it gives the public a chance to get to know them and explore who they are as artists. It also creates opportunities for the Bumangue community to become more open to appreciating this type of art,” commented Valentina Jácome, a visitor.
For other attendees, these types of initiatives represent an opportunity to discover artistic expressions that aren’t always accessible to the public and, at the same time, help strengthen the cultural education of citizens.
“It’s a multifaceted space that you can appreciate and that is sometimes overlooked. For me, it’s quite educational because I learn a lot. I think this type of event allows the community to get a little closer to art and culture,” said Luis Santos, a visitor.
“La BEBA 2026” will remain open to the public through Saturday, August 29, establishing itself as a meeting place for artists, alumni, students, and the general public to engage with various forms of contemporary art.
