This year’s open call received approximately 45 applications. The selection process was conducted by a jury composed of Luís Fernandes (gnration, Braga), Maria Luís Neiva (CAAA), and Mário Micaelo (Solar – Cinematic Art Gallery, Vila do Conde). In 2026, the programme dedicated to supporting artistic creation will result in four new artistic works.

Bruno Mesquita is a multidisciplinary artist and researcher whose practice intersects media art and critical theory through installation and video. Holding a Master’s degree in Media Arts from the University of Minho, he is currently a PhD candidate in Fine Arts at FBAUP and a researcher on the European project Ecologies of Care (DUT), following his involvement with MigraMediaActs (CECS/FCT). His work explores borders and collective memory as a means of challenging dominant narratives, and has been presented at international platforms including the Gwangju Media Art Festival, Porto Design Biennale, Semibreve Festival, and The Wrong Biennale.

Maria Amaro is a double bassist trained in classical music who has collaborated with artists such as Circuit des Yeux, Get The Blessing, and Calcutá. In 2026, she will launch a solo project exploring experimental sonic territories through repetition, transformation, voice, and double bass. Carla Gonçalves, known artistically as Calgon, has worked as a programmer and visual artist since 2018, focusing on audiovisual and live visual performance. Her practice develops a distinctive visual language that combines analogue, autonomous, and adaptive video systems, creating immersive audiovisual experiences in close dialogue with sound.

Marisa Fernandes holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Minho, where she is currently a visiting lecturer and PhD researcher at Lab2PT, supported by a fellowship from the FCT. Between 2023 and 2025, she also taught at SRH University Heidelberg in Germany. Her research focuses on the analysis and representation of the contemporary landscape, alongside active involvement in participatory urban initiatives. Notable projects include the co-organisation of “Youth 4 Bauhaus” with Braga Media Arts and the “Participatory Cartography Workshop” within the framework of Braga 2025 – Portuguese Capital of Culture.

Sandra Teixeira is a visual artist based in Porto whose work centres on alternative and experimental photography. Rooted in the observation of nature, her practice embraces the imperfection of images, balancing chance and control while exploring temporality and the materiality of photography as object. Her work is also distinguished by a strong ecological commitment, employing low-toxicity chemical alternatives and natural photographic developers derived from plants and everyday organic materials.

Created in 2015 by gnration, Summer Labs aims to support the development of new and original artistic projects in the district of Braga and the municipality of Vila do Conde. The Summer Labs programme is organised by gnration, CAAA – Centro para os Assuntos da Arte e Arquitectura, and Solar – Cinematic Art Gallery, in partnership with LAC – Laboratório de Actividades Criativas. The initiative is supported by RPAC – Portuguese Network for Contemporary Art, a programme of the Directorate-General for the Arts / Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.