Tenerife Fine Arts Circle

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Cultural spaces · Subcategory: Museums · Year: 1951-1964 · Authors: José Enrique Marrero Regalado, Félix Sáenz Marrero

This is the headquarters of one of the city's most prestigious cultural institutions. The early years of the 20th century in Santa Cruz were prolific in the creation and development of cultural and recreational societies. However, the crisis caused by the First World War gradually stifled them, so that by the early 1920s only one had the capacity to undertake strictly cultural work in a solvent manner: the Frégoli Salon.

In 1925, the watercolourist Francisco Bonnin was appointed president of this society. From then on, its cultural activity was joined by a teaching role, changing its name to "Círculo de Bellas Artes". The entity was initially located in a single-storey large house on the plot where its headquarters stand today, but from the beginning the need to renovate it to accommodate concert halls, exhibition rooms and also a suitable place to provide artistic education was clear.

In February 1950, the construction of a new headquarters with sufficient capacity for the wide range of activities was decided. Architect Marrero Regalado was chosen to carry out the project, who in October 1951 offered two options: a classical one and another in the old Canarian style. The second option was chosen, although with elements from the first.

The façade composition is structured through two lower floors with a classical solution, although as it rises it loses this characteristic and incorporates vernacular elements. The successor in directing the work, Félix Sáenz, used a continuous balcony to segment both planes.

On the ground floor, a magnificent perspective from the street is achieved thanks to the raised exhibition hall, following a gradual rhythm of porch, vestibule and hall, spaces accessed moderately via a short staircase. It also includes a concert and conference hall, storage rooms, offices and all the departments typical of a cultural and recreational society.

The completion of the building was delayed over time, being fully finished by the mid-1960s.

The Círculo de Bellas Artes has always enjoyed high prestige and strong roots within Santa Cruz society due to its tireless work in promoting and supporting artistic activities, not only in the city but throughout the island.

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