Until July 30^th, artists from the Valencian Community can participate in a biennial that will showcase their best works at an exhibition in the CCCC. The winners can win prizes of 15,000 to 7,000 euros, and their works will be part of the ‘Juan José Catellano Comenge Foundation’.

There are just 15 days left for artists born or resident in the Valencian Community to submit their applications for one of Spain’s most important art prizes: The ‘IV María Isabel Comenge Bienal’, with a total prize of 22, 000 Euros, shared between the first prize winner (15, 000 euros) and the second prize winner (7, 000 euros). All selected works will be exhibited at the ‘Centre del Carme de Cultura Contemporània’ (CCCC) from the 13^th of November 2025 to the 18^th of January 2026, which represents a unique occasion for Valencian painters and for the public to showcase the work that our artists are producing within the contemporary art scene. The winning works will be a part of the Juan José Catellano Comenge Foundation (FJJCC) Collection, which continues to expand under the direction of its advisor, Horacio Silva, and will be displayed at the Foundation’s future headquarters. His latest acquisitions complete the most important private collection of contemporary Valencian artists.

The rules for these awards can be found on the Juan José Castellano Comenge Foundation (FJJCC) website ( https://fundacionjjcc.com/ ). For Enrique Vázquez, the president of the FJJCC and managing partner of the Tax Law practice at the BROSETA law firm, this marks a milestone in continuing the work left behind by its late founder. “The entire board of trustees needs to continue the work carried out by businessman Juan José Castellano Comenge, and this biennial, in particular, meant a great deal to him and represents one of the greatest efforts and dreams for those of us who defend his legacy, both in terms of the investment and the work we carry out.”

To promote and protect Valencian painting from the 20^th and 21^st centuries, the JJCC Foundation acquired a former tannery in Valencia’s Plaza del Autor, which will serve as its headquarters and house the collection. “We know that it’s important for Valencia, for our foundation, for our art, and that, therefore, we have the support of the city council,” explains Enrique Vásquez. The Juan José Castellano Comenge Foundation features work by Sempere, Mompó, Equipo Realidad, Juan Cardells, Equipo Crónica, Juan Genovés, Manolo Valdés, and Carmen Calvo. “To this list, we can add the acquisition of many other works by artists from the Valencian Community whose brilliant future seems assured through the numerous exhibitions, both national and international, they are holding. Not to mention other purchases of works by prominent young emerging artists with proven creative potential,” states the collection’s advisor, Horatio Silva.

The director of the Comunitat Valenciana Consort of Museums, Nicolás Bugeda, as host of the 4^th María Isabel Comenge Biennal, highlighted “the opportunity to enjoy an award of such relevance at the Centre del Carme and the María Isabel Comenge Biennial for the quality of the works that compete in it” and pointed out “the importance of collaborating, from public institutions, with private foundations that are promoting Valencian art”.

Report by Elliot Fryatt

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

JJCC Foundation Official Website: https://fundacionjjcc.com/

CCCC Exhibit Address: C/del Museu, 2, 4, Ciutat Vella, 46003, Valencia, Spain