Spain's new Faro Santander art center is set to open on September 8, with a debut program built around three exhibitions that connect Mexican modernism, European masters, and contemporary artistic dialogue.
Among the opening shows is a solo presentation devoted to Leonora Carrington, alongside a display of previously unseen works from the Banco Santander collection and Modern Mexico in the Gelman Santander Collection. Curated by art historian Marisol Argüelles, the Mexico-focused exhibition brings together key names such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
The Gelman Collection has drawn attention because many of its works are considered artistic monuments under Mexican law, making their movement a matter of cultural significance. In response to the debate, Santander Foundation organized a presentation in Mexico City earlier this year, while the Faro Santander version will offer a refreshed reading of the collection and remain on view until January 10, 2027.
The new center occupies Santander's former headquarters, a 108,000-square-foot building reimagined by architect David Chipperfield. Its six floors will host exhibition spaces, a technology hub, family areas, an auditorium, a restaurant, and a rooftop viewpoint over the Bay of Santander.
Another major section, Masterpieces from the Banco Santander Collection, will highlight works spanning five centuries, from Lucas Cranach the Elder and Titian to Goya, Miró, and postwar Spanish artists such as Antoni Tàpies and Cristina Iglesias. A companion publication edited by María Dolores Jiménez-Blanco adds scholarly context to the project.
With its mix of heritage, architecture, and public programming, Faro Santander is positioning itself as a new cultural landmark for northern Spain. The project suggests a future where museums become more connected, more interdisciplinary, and more globally resonant.
