Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, is pleased to announce a special programme of events to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Mario Finlayson National Art Gallery. The Gallery, housed at the historic City Hall, will reopen on Tuesday 3rd June following a short closure for refurbishment and re-curation.

This milestone will mark a new chapter for the Gallery, including a refreshed exhibition layout featuring recent acquisitions to the Government’s art collection and the exciting addition of works by acclaimed Gibraltarian artist Christian Hook. Hook, a Freeman of the City becomes the seventh artist represented at the Gallery. His works will be displayed alongside those of Mario Finlayson, Gustavo Bacarisas, Elio Cruz, Jacobo Azagury, Rudesindo Mannia and Leni Mifsud.

To celebrate this significant anniversary, GCS will host two fireside chats chaired by journalist and broadcaster Alice Mascarenhas. These will take place on Thursday 5th June focusing on the Legacy of Mario Finlayson, and on Wednesday 11th June celebrating the art of Gustavo Bacarisas, both at the City Hall at 6:30pm. The talks will offer an intimate insight into the contributions of these inspirational local artists, whose work continues to influence Gibraltar’s cultural narrative. Tickets for the talks are available on www.buytickets.gi with the sessions offering opportunity for reflection and discussion.

In addition, the Gallery will also take part in Calentita Night, Gibraltar’s annual food and cultural festival, on Friday 20th June with a special late-night opening from 7pm to 10pm. This will offer an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the new curation in a relaxed and festive atmosphere and visit the gift shop too. Furthermore, on Saturday 5th July, families are invited to a Family Open Day featuring storytelling sessions and children’s life drawing workshops, aiming to make the Gallery more accessible and engaging for younger audiences. Tickets for these sessions are also available on www.buytickets.gi.

Further educational initiatives include a series of school workshops exploring street art and postcard-making, reflecting the Gallery’s renewed commitment to outreach and art education. Enhanced visitor experiences are also on the horizon, with upgraded resources for children, new QR codes offering expanded artwork information, and a revamped Gift Shop. GCS extends its thanks to the public for their understanding during the temporary closure and invites everyone to join in the celebrations marking a decade of Gibraltar’s artistic heritage.