It is possible to visit Vade-Mécum, an exhibition curated by João Francisco Reis, at vaga, the headquarters of Anda&Fala – Associação Cultural in Ponta Delgada, until 28 November. The exhibition brings together work by Azorean artists André Carreiro Oliveira, Atelineiras and Tomás Toste, winners of the second edition of the Prémio nova vaga.

The 2026 nova vaga Award selected three artists from the Azorean archipelago — André Carreiro Oliveira (Faial), Atelineiras (São Miguel) and Tomás Toste (Terceira) — to support the production of new work. Developed over the past year with the guidance of curator João Francisco Reis, this work now culminates in the exhibition Vade-Mécum, which can be visited at vaga until 28 November, from Thursday to Saturday, 12 pm to 6 pm.

The exhibition takes the Azorean territory as its starting point to reflect on the coexistence of myths, science, spirituality and imagined archaeological traces. Vade-Mécum offers a decentralized perspective on island ecologies, histories and images, creating parallel narratives that challenge dominant ways of producing and transmitting knowledge about the territory.

The works presented by Atelineiras (Alma de Seiva, Abundante Constelar.. até ao Destino, Que esteja sempre onde deva estar, Encantos de Seiva and tu desejas poder tocar me) explore the artist’s process and artistic concerns, “translating the construction of a sensitive spirituality in constant contact with Azorean nature and island culture”.

André Carreiro Oliveira uses speculative storytelling as an artistic tool. In 00.000.001 (Espécime Insular), he brings biological and geological timeframes together through a greenhouse that functions both as a “space for observing the transformation of endemic Azorean species” and as “a potential archaeological site”. Som Verde, a sound environment, creates a duality between interior and exterior space.

Tomás Toste’s works (Aqui não há um abrigo, Eu vi, mas não agarrei and Planta-me brumas no olhar) move between painting and drawing, exploring the fragility of the image. In these works, “the act of seeing becomes an experience of suspension”, requiring viewers “to move around the work in order to structure their gaze and establish a relationship with the object”.

The nova vaga Award, organised by Anda&Fala – Associação Cultural, takes place every two years and is open to individuals or collectives aged between 18 and 35 who were born and/or reside in the Azores and who are developing, or intend to develop, their practice within the expanded field of visual arts. The initiative aims to support emerging talent in Azorean art and strengthen the region’s artistic ecosystem by awarding grants that enable artists to develop and deepen their practices.

This edition represents an investment of €15,000. According to Jesse James, the association’s Artistic Director, this investment “is another example of Anda&Fala’s ongoing role and commitment to local development and its mission to strengthen the artistic ecosystem in the Azores, fostering emerging dynamics and their autonomy”.

Anda&Fala is a non-profit cultural association based on the island of São Miguel, supported by the Government of the Azores, the Portuguese Republic / DGArtes and Ponta Delgada City Council.