In Uruguay's coastal town of Punta del Este, a thriving art market has emerged, thanks in large part to the dedication of one woman: Laura Bardier. As the founder of ESTE ARTE, an annual fair that celebrates local and international art, Bardier has built a platform from scratch, supporting a community of artists, galleries, and collectors.
Bardier's journey began when she realized that despite Uruguay's rich cultural heritage, its art market was fragmented and lacking in infrastructure. In 2015, she decided to launch ESTE ARTE as a way to introduce the country to the global art scene while also promoting local talent. With no prior experience running an art fair, Bardier drew on her international network of curators and collectors to create a platform that would showcase Uruguayan artists and foster a sense of community.
ESTE ARTE has become a hub for emerging and established artists, with works on display both within the fair itself and in various public spaces throughout Punta del Este. The event's intimate atmosphere, which emphasizes discovery over spectacle, allows visitors to engage closely with artworks and artists.
Over the years, Bardier has worked tirelessly to build partnerships between international galleries, local collectors, and Uruguayan institutions. This approach has led to significant growth in the art market, as more people become aware of ESTE ARTE's unique offerings. Today, the fair is a go-to destination for collectors seeking authentic experiences and genuine connections with artists.
ESTE ARTE's influence extends beyond Punta del Este; it has become a benchmark for regional art fairs. Bardier's vision now encompasses an association of Latin American art fairs, aimed at promoting the shared goals and interests of these events.
Bardier's commitment to quality over quantity is evident in ESTE ARTE's continued growth and refinement. By focusing on sustainability and local engagement, she has created a thriving ecosystem that benefits artists, galleries, and collectors alike.
As ESTE ARTE approaches its 12-year anniversary, it's clear that Laura Bardier's vision has achieved its goals, transforming Punta del Este into an art destination and solidifying Uruguay's reputation as a significant player in the South American art scene.
Bardier's journey began when she realized that despite Uruguay's rich cultural heritage, its art market was fragmented and lacking in infrastructure. In 2015, she decided to launch ESTE ARTE as a way to introduce the country to the global art scene while also promoting local talent. With no prior experience running an art fair, Bardier drew on her international network of curators and collectors to create a platform that would showcase Uruguayan artists and foster a sense of community.
ESTE ARTE has become a hub for emerging and established artists, with works on display both within the fair itself and in various public spaces throughout Punta del Este. The event's intimate atmosphere, which emphasizes discovery over spectacle, allows visitors to engage closely with artworks and artists.
Over the years, Bardier has worked tirelessly to build partnerships between international galleries, local collectors, and Uruguayan institutions. This approach has led to significant growth in the art market, as more people become aware of ESTE ARTE's unique offerings. Today, the fair is a go-to destination for collectors seeking authentic experiences and genuine connections with artists.
ESTE ARTE's influence extends beyond Punta del Este; it has become a benchmark for regional art fairs. Bardier's vision now encompasses an association of Latin American art fairs, aimed at promoting the shared goals and interests of these events.
Bardier's commitment to quality over quantity is evident in ESTE ARTE's continued growth and refinement. By focusing on sustainability and local engagement, she has created a thriving ecosystem that benefits artists, galleries, and collectors alike.
As ESTE ARTE approaches its 12-year anniversary, it's clear that Laura Bardier's vision has achieved its goals, transforming Punta del Este into an art destination and solidifying Uruguay's reputation as a significant player in the South American art scene.
She's literally changing the game for local artists and collectors alike. The fact that she went from no exp to building an entire ecosystem of galleries, collectors & institutions is INSANE 
And it's not just about showcasing talent, but also creating a community that fosters genuine connections between art lovers & creatives 
I'm loving how ESTE ARTE has become a benchmark for reg art fairs and is promoting regional cooperation 
Kudos to Bardier for her tireless efforts and commitment to quality over quantity! 
and it's awesome that she's prioritizing local engagement and sustainability - what a role model! 
. I mean, it's just another art fair with some local artists and galleries. What makes it so special? Is it really that hard to organize a decent art event? And what's up with this whole 'quality over quantity' thing? It sounds like Bardier is just trying to justify the fact that her event isn't packed with visitors 
. I bet if she made it more commercial and touristy, she'd attract way more people and make a ton of money 
. And what about the local artists who can't even get their work seen in public spaces? That's not very community-driven if you ask me 
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The fact that she built it from scratch with no prior experience running an art fair is just incredible - talk about perseverance! 
And now it's not just a local thing but a benchmark for regional art fairs, which is totally awesome. 
Keep on doing your thing, Laura - you're totally inspiring me to try my hand at DIY projects and supporting local artists too! 
i need to check out some of the artworks on display too, i love discovering new artists 
It's not often that you see someone put in so much hard work and dedication for something they believe in.
And the fact that she's creating this association of Latin American art fairs is just genius. I mean, think about how much that could benefit artists and collectors across the region.
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and I'm loving it so far! But anyway, back to this Laura Bardier lady... she sounds like a total rockstar for starting up ESTE ARTE from scratch 
. I've been meaning to check out some more Uruguayan art... maybe I'll have to plan a trip to Punta del Este someday 
. What's your fave type of art?
omg can u believe how she built este arte from scratch 
it's literally insane that one woman can make such a huge impact on the art world 