Once home to the well-known Refrigerantes Quintódio soft drinks factory—where classics like “Pirolito” and “Sofrutos” were produced—this former industrial warehouse has been reimagined as a vibrant hub for contemporary art, creativity, and cultural programming.

GAMA RAMA opened in 2020 as a small gallery and quickly grew beyond that. It’s now more of a creative hub, with studios, workshops, and talks, as well as collaborations with local partners such as the Municipality of Faro and the University of the Algarve.

Contemporary art

Today, GAMA RAMA is led by Toma Svazaite and Miguel Neto, who continue to shape it as an independent project dedicated to supporting contemporary art in the Algarve. As interest in the space grew, so did the need for more room. Moving to a larger location felt like a natural next step. As Miguel puts it, the previous space simply couldn’t keep up anymore — there wasn’t enough room for studios or the kind of working conditions artists needed.

The newly renovated building now brings everything together under one roof: 12 studio spaces—both private and shared—alongside workshops and shared resources for developing and producing artistic work. It also hosts a regular programme of public events, including exhibitions, talks, screenings, and open studio sessions.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: GAMA RAMA;

A creative community

Today, GAMA RAMA is home to 14 artists working across different disciplines, which naturally creates a space for collaboration, experimentation and exchange. At the same time, it continues to run its international artist residency programme — now in its third edition — building stronger links between the Algarve and the wider creative community.

At its core, this new space is about building stronger ties with the local community—working with schools, institutions, residents, and visitors to make contemporary art part of everyday life in Faro. As Miguel Neto puts it, the goal is not just to provide a space for artists, but to actively contribute to the city’s cultural life.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: GAMA RAMA;

Group exhibition

To celebrate this new chapter, GAMA RAMA kicked things off with the group exhibition “Seasonal Fruit”, open from 28 March to 20 June. The show brings together artists who’ve been part of the project over the past five years, tracing how their work has grown and shifted along the way — a reflection of the journey they’ve shared with the space.

Rather than looking back, the show highlights the organic growth of a creative community—where different influences, individual paths, and shared experiences come together. Featuring a mix of local, national, and international artists—including XANA, Tom Leamon, Graça Paz, Susana Cereja, and many others—it captures the energy of a collective that continues to evolve.

Once a place of industrial production, the building is now a space for creative energy—where its history is transformed into something new and inspiring.