Solar is a space dedicated to the intersection between cinema and other arts. Created in 2002, the gallery presents itself as a zone of artistic and curatorial experimentation, which privileges the moving image, per si and in its relationship with other types of creations.

Located in a building that emerged at the end of the 18th century, the gallery's spatialization and rocky morphology contrast with the imminently digital universe it deals with, creating a unique ambience that fosters new ways of experiencing cinema.

Adjacent to the gallery is Loja das Curtas, a bookshop dedicated to cinema and the visual arts. Find out more here: https://www.lojadascurtas.pt/

The Cave project is an individual and articulated extension of Galeria Solar, which is dedicated to showcasing emerging artists on the national and international scene. These artists are generally proposed by those who occupy the Solar space, creating a broad narrative of permeable discourses.

The name of the project describes exactly the space that accommodates it: Cave, which translates to basement in english. Converted into an exhibition space, this space means to encourage the creation of site-specific works that move within the field of expanded cinema.

Animar is an educational project that unfolds in two proposals focusing on the intersection between the fields of cinema and education.

On the one hand, every year the Animar exhibition occupies the Solar space with a project that focuses on animated cinema and is characterized by bringing it closer to a younger audience. On the other hand, Animar also promotes various parallel educational activities which are carried out by our Educational Service.

The Educational Service is responsible for the continuous and systematic mediation between the Solar Gallery's exhibitions and its various audiences. This translates into various educational activities organized throughout the year, such as guided tours, short and medium-length workshops, theatre and school movie screenings, among others.

To book guided tours, write to s.educativo@curtas.pt.

Find out more about the parallel activities: https://www.animar.curtas.pt/local/01-nas-escolas/

Solar de São Roque, which holds the gallery, poses numerous challenges to mobility as it was built at the end of the 18th century and rests on the old foundations of a 16th century building. Faced with various morphological and architectural obstacles, the Solar Gallery is working to make its space more accessible to d/Deaf people, people with intellectual disabilities and people with limited mobility.

Program

- Access to Solar and all its events is free.

- The Gallery provides guided tours by a Portuguese Sign Language interpreter, by prior appointment via telephone or email.

- The Educational Service's guided tours are adapted to the needs of each audience.

- The information on the website and in the physical brochure for the main exhibitions is in Portuguese and English.

Building

- Access to each room in the gallery involves climbing one or two steps.

- The floor of the corridor leading to the several rooms is rocky and uneven.

- Access to the gallery's space Cave involves going down a flight of stairs.

- There is an adapted bathroom, which also has a diaper changing area.

Transport and parking

Galeria Solar is located in the city center of Vila de Conde, accessible by metro, bus or car.

Metro and bus

- Vila do Conde metro station is located 1.1km from Galeria Solar. The metro line is the B (red), which connects Estádio do Dragão and Póvoa de Varzim.

- There is a bus that connects Vila do Conde Metro Station to Vila do Conde Municipal Market, which is 230 meters from Galeria Solar. The bus is the 3301 from UNIR- A Nova Rede de Transportes Públicos. Timetables available on pages 8 and 9: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QlIG8891y2M2vlFCRubQqgduXnTAHfH2/view

More bus connections:

- Transdev (Viana do Castelo - Porto connection)

Telephone: 252 298 300 - www.transdev.pt

- Litoral Norte (municipal and regional connections)

Telephone: 252 692 266

Parking

- The nearest public parking space for people with reduced mobility is 150 meters from the gallery, at Rua da Misericórdia, number 10.

- There is a paid parking lot about 200 meters from Solar. Find out how to get there from your address here: https://www.viamichelin.pt/web/Itinerarios?isInProgress=true&coords=;-8.741056:41.3526435

- On the gallery's street, Rua do Lidador, there are few parking spaces and none designated for people with reduced mobility.

For information on getting around by car or cab, see https://www.cm-viladoconde.pt/pages/180.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding accessibility at Solar, please contact us at solar@curtas.pt or 252 138 191.