The Color Explosion Of Art In Havana (2023)!

Art Galleries are all over Havana, which is super famous for its art scene. Not to mention the street art that you can see everywhere if you have a curious eye! 

Or as above, at the venerable Hotel Nacional in Havana.

Often walls and structures in the city are covered in small and large surprises of artsy details, ornaments, a mix of modern murals, and architectonical gems from the colonial era!

The typical Cuba colorful pieces are peering at you from little galleries and shops all around the city. 

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Cuban Art Is Everywhere In Cuba!

Admiring art in Cuba is easy, it is everywhere, not just confined to galleries.

With a keen eye, you will see fine details throughout the city in plazas, buildings, and architecture.

Old Havana has its style, the Vedado has its.

Havana Art Galleries List Overview

Wandering around the city you can find the whole range of Cuban art.

From really touristy stuff that you find 13 by the dozen, you can get really cheap, to seriously high-quality pieces of amazing art.

Below is a listing of some art galleries in Havana that you might find useful and interesting, updated online at the beginning of 2022.

• Factoria Habana Art Gallery
• Studio O`208
• Pedro Pablo Oliva
• El Ojo del Ciclon
• Ona Galeria
• Galeria de Arte Contemporaneo Cubano
• Maxima contemporary Cuban art
• Riera Studio
• Fototeca de Cuba
• National Museum of Fine Arts
• Casa de Carmen Montilla
• Jorge Gil Estudio-Galeria
• DiES Gallery
• Galeria Lilia Estudio taller Aties
• Galeria ARTIS 71

Unfortunately, many galleries or artists are still not online in Cuba. Very few have their own web page, but some are on Facebook with their information.

Havana Art Tour By Classic Car

Havana is often called the capital of Cuban art and for good reason! Discover how art became central to the city, by tracing this tradition back to the founding of the San Alejandro National School of Fine Arts in 1818.

A Havana art tour by classic car will introduce you to the diverse world of contemporary Cuban art, its many forms, and the artists who create it.

You’ll even get to meet some of these talented people in person!

Driving through modern Havana, you will see the footprints of organizations like Casa de las Americas and the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba.

Plus, you’ll take in the outside of buildings such as the National School of Art (ENA) and today’s San Alejandro School of Fine Arts.

Walking through Havana’s historic center, you will visit key sites like the Taller Experimental de la Gráfica, the Carmen Montilla Gallery, and more.

The Artist Dieguez In Old Havana

At the end of Calle (street) Cuarteles 4b, between Cuba and Aguiar is a small one-room studio that Luis Angel Gonzales is sharing with an artist colleague. 

His artist name is Dieguez, which is his mother’s maiden name, which is how he feels he can bring her into his artwork. 

Luis Angel is an inspiring person, talking super enthusiastically about how he wants to express what is happening in the world, and the way he sees it. 

Drop by when you are in Havana, it is a small street and a small door, but you can just ask your way!

Also read: 33+ Legendary Things To Do In Havana 2022!

Art And Politics In Cuba

As with sport, art and politics are not very far apart in Cuba. For decades, both have been entangled in the revolutionary mindset.

Art is either pro-revolution or contra, as are sports.

Yet, there are so many beautiful pieces in more or less well-known galleries around the island. 

Although still subject to regulations even on the art scene, Havana, in particular, is home to some international happenings like the Havana Art Biennial!

Gallery Forma In Obispo Street Old Havana

Towards the end of Obispo street, you find Forma Galeria, presenting a different form of Cuban art.

A mix of a gallery, arts and craft center, and tourist shop.

Displayed are a variety of applied arts, colorful paintings and sculptures as well as pots and pans, and bags and accessories. 

Also read: What Is Cuba Known For? 22 Enticing Things You Want To Know!

Also read: Where To Stay In Havana? Best Hotels, Neighborhoods, And Areas 2022

Buying Art In Cuba

Normally the art scene is buzzing, and hopefully, the list above gave you an impression, and maybe inspiration for your Havana art travel. 

During the pandemic, a lot of art galleries, shops, and also museums had to shut down and the status is still unclear in June 2022.

Hopefully, this is temporary, and you can contact the galleries or artists directly to find out if they are currently open.

The problem is not finding beautiful or interesting pieces of art in Havana. More so, you have to figure out how to transport it home, if you fall in love with a piece and buy it on this island! 

Chances are, it will not fit in your pre-booked hand luggage.

Visit the Havana Arts and Culture Travel Guide Online here!