The Diputación Provincial de Ávila has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting culture and artistic talent by supporting the Gredos Painting Prize, which is annually organised by the Town Hall of Arenas de San Pedro. With technical backing from the Institución Gran Duque de Alba and a financial contribution of €5,000, the Diputación continues to foster one of the most prestigious cultural competitions in the province. The 47th edition took place at the Palacio del Infante Don Luis de Borbón in Arenas de San Pedro.
Javier González, the deputy for Culture, Heritage, Youth and Sport, attended the award ceremony, which was presided over by the mayor of Arenas de San Pedro, J. Carlos Sánchez Mesón. Also present were the councillor for Culture and Heritage, Germán Mateos, and other municipal representatives. González highlighted the significance of the award, stating that after nearly five decades, it remains a privileged showcase for artistic creation and a vital instrument for cultural dynamism in the province.
“The Gredos Painting Prize demonstrates that our municipalities can also promote high-level cultural initiatives that attract talent, inspire vocations, and project the name of Arenas de San Pedro and the wider Ávila region beyond our provincial borders,” González remarked.
The 2026 edition once again showcased the competition's ability to attract participants, with a total of 284 works submitted by 210 artists. Of these, 266 competed for the main prize, while 18 contended for the Accésit Valle del Tiétar. The international dimension of the competition is evident, with artists from countries such as Bulgaria, France, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru, alongside a strong representation from Spain.
“These figures are a testament to culture being an extraordinary tool for promoting our territory. The fact that artists from different countries find an opportunity to showcase their work in Arenas de San Pedro speaks volumes about the prestige this prize has gained and the importance of continuing to support initiatives that generate activity, enrich our cultural life, and help raise the profile of the province,” González added.
The jury convened on 9 October and awarded the Gredos Painting Prize 2026, worth €10,000, to Guillermo Masedo for his work titled Y decías que esta casa nunca sería un hogar. VIII. Meanwhile, the Accésit Valle del Tiétar, valued at €2,000, was awarded to José María Sánchez Gutiérrez for Panorámica de Arenas de San Pedro. Additionally, two honourable mentions were given to the works Ultimátum by Andrés Gabarres Cagiao and Interno by Sergio Romero Linares.
“We believe in a province where culture is present in rural areas, reaching every corner and finding spaces to grow in our villages. Supporting culture is supporting the identity of our land, its appeal, and its capacity to build a future,” González stated.
The deputy congratulated the award-winning artists and recognised the efforts of the Town Hall of Arenas de San Pedro, the jury members, and all individuals and institutions involved in organising the competition. “Maintaining a prize for 47 editions requires enthusiasm, perseverance, and a firm belief in the value of artistic creation for society. The Diputación wishes to acknowledge this collective effort and encourage the continuation of the Gredos Prize as an essential event in our province's cultural calendar,” he added.
Following the selection process, 81 works have been chosen to be part of the exhibition for the competition, which can be visited free of charge until 2 November at the Mercado de Abastos-Espacio Sociocultural in Arenas de San Pedro. The gala, held at the historic Palacio de La Mosquera, also featured musical performances by Patricia Manjón Recio on violin, Lorena Moriano Monedero on piano, and Ernesto López Talavera on flute, all teachers at the Municipal Music School Luigi Boccherini. As part of the celebration, the Asociación Amigos del Palacio de la Mosquera presented the video El Legado de un Infante, dedicated to the historical figure of Don Luis de Borbón y Farnesio.
