Unicaja Craft Award Exhibition Opens in Málaga

Contemporary Craftsmanship in the Heart of Old Town

Artisanal craftsmanship is undergoing a quiet revolution, blending traditional techniques with modern aesthetic sensibilities. Even as local sports headlines focus on Málaga CF’s recent 1-0 defeat to Getafe, the city’s cultural life remains equally vibrant. In Málaga’s historic center, the Museo Fundación Unicaja de Artes y Costumbres Populares is currently hosting the XXVI Unicaja Craft Award exhibition, showcasing nearly 30 selected and winning pieces from across the region.

Running through November 15, 2026, the temporary exhibition provides locals and visitors an opportunity to appreciate fine handmade work spanning ceramics, woodworking, textiles, glasswork, and metal manipulation, adding a rich cultural highlight to the city’s schedule just as Unicaja begins the 2026/27 ACB season with a renovated roster.

According to a report by Cadena SER, this 26th edition highlights artists who successfully bridge classical trade traditions with contemporary artistic languages.

What to Expect at the Exhibition

The collection brings together the winning works and notable finalists selected by an expert jury. Rather than treating craft as purely decorative or utilitarian history, the display emphasizes innovation, material mastery, and narrative depth.

Highlighted Craft Mediums

Ceramics & Sculptural Clay: Experimental glazes, organic forms, and conceptual pottery.
Textile & Fiber Arts: Intricate hand-woven structures combining traditional looms with modern dyes and recycled fibers.
Wood & Marquetry: Fine carpentry that highlights natural grain textures alongside geometric inlay work.
Metalsmithing & Glass: Hand-forged metal sculptures and blown glass art exploring light and structural tension.

Each piece is accompanied by details explaining the artist’s background, the techniques applied, and the conceptual story behind the design.

Exploring the Venue: Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares

The location itself enhances the visitor experience. Housed in the former Mesón de la Victoria, a charming 17th-century inn along the Guadalmedina riverbed (Pasillo de Santa Isabel), the museum preserves Andalusian folk heritage.

Visiting this exhibition allows you to experience two perspectives at once: the historical everyday objects preserved in the permanent collection, and the forward-looking vision of today’s master craftspeople in the temporary hall.

Practical Visiting Details

Dates: September 2026 – November 15, 2026
Location: Museo Fundación Unicaja de Artes y Costumbres Populares, Pasillo de Santa Isabel, 10, Málaga
Neighborhood: Old Town / Centro Histórico (near Mercado Central de Atarazanas)
Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon, paired with a stroll through the nearby Atarazanas market hall or a coffee along Calle Carretería.

Why It’s Worth a Visit

Whether you are a longtime resident, an artisan enthusiast who loves discovering Malaga’s weekend craft markets, or an international visitor exploring Málaga’s cultural circuit, this exhibition offers a refreshing change of pace from larger contemporary art venues. It shines a light on human dedication, slow creation, and technical skill in an increasingly automated world.

As Málaga continues to develop as a major cultural hub in Southern Europe, small-scale exhibitions like this remind us of the living traditions and meticulous hands that shape our material culture. We hope you find a quiet morning to drop in, wander the historic courtyard, and get inspired by these remarkable craftspeople.