Did you know? Espaço JALI breathes new life into Silves heritage

I was recently introduced to Marion Buz, founder of the Espaço JALI in Silves, which has become a prominent venue in the Algarve’s cultural scene where art, music and culture come together. The name JALI comes from the initials of Marion’s four grandnieces, but it also refers to ornamental latticework or an interwoven pattern, which is an apt reflection of her vision of connecting cultures, art and people.

Marion kindly donated the gallery for me to set up the 9th Students Prize Portugal run by the Sovereign Art Foundation. The Prize, aimed at secondary school students, gives 30 finalists the opportunity to exhibit their work in the Algarve, Estremoz and Lisbon, where they are showcased alongside the Portuguese Art Prize, now in its fourth year. The Foundation does incredible work worldwide, using art therapy to support disadvantaged children. For more information, visit SovereignArtFoundation.com

Unlike previous years, when I would set up the exhibition and then leave it for the duration, this time I spent each day at the gallery welcoming visitors and explaining both the Prize and the Foundation. It proved to be a delightful opportunity to meet people, and it was immensely rewarding to see how much the students’ work is appreciated.

Espaço JALI is a wonderful example of heritage being preserved for future generations. I have always loved the large, architecturally beautiful buildings found throughout Portugal’s towns and cities. Sadly, many have been abandoned due to high maintenance costs or family inheritance issues. I always find myself wondering about the families who once lived or worked in them and, I often try to look through boarded-up windows and doors. On one occasion, I even spotted an abandoned vintage car. That is why I am delighted to see more and more of these historic buildings being restored, something that is particularly evident in my hometown of Lagoa.

JALI’s building was a cork factory and once part of Silves’ thriving cork industry. It is opposite the soon-to-be-restored Fábrica do Inglês, a large cork-processing factory built in 1894 which closed down in the mid-1990s.

The ‘Fábrica’ site is also home to the Cork Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest archives dedicated to the cork industry. Closed since 2010, it is due to re-open on July 11.

Did you know that, at one time, almost half of Silves’ population was involved in cork production? Surrounded by extensive cork oak forests and situated alongside the Arade River, the town became a major industrial centre, with the river providing an important transport route for goods and materials. While Fábrica do Inglês was the largest operation, many smaller cork businesses also flourished.

JALI’s building has been beautifully restored while retaining many original features, including stone framed windows and doors, an ornate central balcony and metal ceiling poles whose use I am unsure of! As I sat in the cobbled entrance hall facing the enormous front doorway, I could almost imagine the horse-drawn carts arriving to collect cork and hear the bustle that would once have filled building.

After six years of restoration, JALI opened in September 2025. The three large rooms on the ground floor now host a wide range of activities, including art workshops, line dancing, tai chi classes, music performances, theatre productions and community events. It is far more than simply an art gallery. In addition, the space is available for both private and public events and there is the opportunity for artist residences too.

My favourite feature has to be the beautiful garden, reached via a grand staircase. It is a peaceful haven in the heart of the town. One evening, while enjoying a drink there with Marion, we watched a magnificent monarch butterfly drift through the garden, a perfect reminder of the tranquillity of the space.

Marion has long been involved in art and culture having previously created the Arte e Alegria cultural centre in Poço Barreto, where she hosted performances and art exhibitions. She was also one of the founding members of the Colaborarte shop in Silves, providing an outlet for crafters to sell their handmade goods, and she created the ‘Obrigado Portugal’ festivals which were held to thank the Portugal community for welcoming the foreign residents.

JALI is also partnered with Algarvensis Geoparque who have been approved as a UNESCO Geoparque and who promote some of the regions natural and cultural diversity.

Marion’s philosophy is simple but powerful and it is that art has the ability to bring people together across cultures and backgrounds, helping to create a happier, more understanding and safer world through creativity and self-expression.

Many of the events held at JALI reflect this vision. In June, the venue hosted a collaboration between artists from Chile and Portugal as part of an International Textile Residency. There was an exhibition of suspended textile artworks inspired by Silves’ landscape and environment as well as a fashion show featuring outfits made from upcycled materials and crochet. The evening was thought provoking allowing us to reflect on connections between people, places and art as it explored themes of territory, belonging, memory and transformation.

One of the things that makes Portugal so special is the extraordinary range of cultural and historical events that take place throughout the year, particularly during the warmer months. Whether your interests lie in food, traditions, history, sport, music or the arts, there is truly something for everyone if you take the time to look.

Sustainability, environmental awareness and community participation are central to Marion’s work. She frequently organises charitable events to support local causes, and the diverse programme at JALI is helping to strengthen Silves’ reputation as one of the Algarve’s leading cultural destinations.

From the outside, JALI resembles a grand private residence, giving little indication of what lies inside. I first met Marion one evening outside JALI, when walking past with a friend who asked if Marion could show me around and I was initially horrified at the thought of imposing on someone’s home.  However, when Marion opened the huge front door, I was in awe. I had no idea such a remarkable place existed. Not only did it satisfy my curiosity about the interior of a beautiful historic building, but I immediately recognised it as the perfect venue for the Students Prize exhibition.

I am incredibly grateful to Marion for her generosity and support, and I look forward to being involved in more JALI events in the future.

So now you know!

Espaço JALI – Rua Cândido dos Reis 87, Silves (opposite the amazing Teatro Mascarenhas Gregório)

Facebook: JALI Silves | Instagram: jali_silves

Read Isobel Costas’s last article: Did you know…Santiponce – a town built on an empire