Limeira Museum: A Living Collection
The Limeira Museum, founded in 1964, is a mosaic of Brazilian art and the interior of São Paulo state. Its collection of over 2,000 works spans from the 19th century to the present day.
The collection was consolidated starting in 1974 with the creation of the Art Museum. Works were incorporated through donations and purchases, but primarily through the acquisition prizes from the art salons.
The Cats (1955) by Emiliano Augusto Cavalcanti de Albuquerque MeloMuseu "Major José Levy Sobrinho"
The Casa de Cultura de Limeira (1949), founded by João de Souza Ferraz, promoted Modernist debate. This was proven in 1956 when it acquired "Os gatos" (1955) by Di Cavalcanti. The painting, a local landmark of modern art acceptance, was later donated to the Limeira Art Museum.
Art Salons in Brazil: Stage and Legitimacy
Since the 19th century, art salons in Brazil have been essential for the debate and dissemination of visual arts. They were the main artistic event, creating a market and legitimizing new artists.
After the fervor of the 1922 Modern Art Week and the creation of institutions like the Pinacoteca de São Paulo, there was a movement of cultural decentralization. Art salons spread to the state's countryside, allowing cities such as Limeira, Campinas, and Piracicaba to have their own spaces for production and criticism. These regional events were essential showcases, capable of building and redefining artistic identities outside the major centers.
Limeira: SLAC and SBAL, Two Perspectives
The period between 1973 and 2017 in Limeira was marked by the existence of two distinct art salons: the Limeira Salon of Contemporary Art (SLAC) and the Limeira Fine Arts Salon (SBAL). Although coexisting, they represented different artistic visions.
SLAC: The Innovative Start (1973-1980)
The SLAC debuted in September 1973, conceived to include the city in the art circuit. The inaugural exhibition, held at the Italian-Brazilian Cultural Institute, was a public success. Despite its focus on the "contemporary," the first edition included various aesthetics.
Opening of the 1st Limeira Contemporary Art Salon (SLAC) (1973-09-01)Museu "Major José Levy Sobrinho"
SLAC: National Success (1981-1991)
After a brief hiatus, SLAC resumed in 1983, marking a period of major success. The 1984 edition saw a record 850 works and established the event as a national platform for diverse artists and expressions, showcasing adaptability in using venues like the former Banespa building.
Untitled (1989) by Ana Julia M. DietzshMuseu "Major José Levy Sobrinho"
The Arrival of SBAL (1992-2000)
Created in 1992, the Salão de Belas Artes de Limeira (SBAL) enriched the cultural calendar by focusing on academic tradition, figurative art, and classical techniques, allowing SLAC to remain centered on contemporary artistic production.
Visitors at the 1st Limeira Fine Arts Exhibition (1992-09-12) by Jornal de LimeiraMuseu "Major José Levy Sobrinho"
Decline and "End" (2001-2018)
From its later years until 2018, SLAC faced interruptions and changes, concluding with its 26th edition. Its counterpart, SBAL, also had an irregular path, holding only seven editions between 1992 and 2016 before ending its activities.
The Three Marys (2005) by Gilio MialichiMuseu "Major José Levy Sobrinho"
The Legacy of the Salons
SLAC and SBAL left a vital legacy for Limeira’s art scene. For over four decades, they fostered artistic production and recognition, enriching the Historical and Pedagogical Museum’s collection. Their history is key to the city’s cultural memory and Brazilian art.
General Coordination
Adriana Pessatte Azzolino
Maxwell Ferreira de Campos
Curatorship and Texts
João Paulo Berto
Photography
Nelson Shiraga
Source Preparation
Letícia França Machado Oliveira Lopes
Rosângela Maria de Souza
Renata Antunes
This exhibition is part of the project “Between Paints and Canvases: Limeira Art Salons”, proposed by Maxwell Ferreira de Campos and conceived by Adriana Pessatte Azzolino. It is sponsored by resources from the Aldir Blanc National Policy for Cultural Promotion – Law No. 14.399/2022, through Public Call Notice No. 03/2024 of the Municipal Department of Culture of the City of Limeira.
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