Who are we?
The Agrupació d'Aquarel·listes de Catalunya (AAC) is one of the oldest watercolour associations in Europe and with more than 160 years of history, we work for the dissemination and development of watercolor in Catalonia and internationally.
Our History
History, Origin and Evolution of the Agrupació d'Aquarel·listes de Catalunya.
The book History of Catalan Watercolor (1980) by Elisa Vives de Fàbregas details the development of this technique across various civilizations and its consolidation as an artistic expression in the 19th century. In Catalonia, watercolor had great influence thanks to the so-called "Catalan school." The origins of the Agrupació d'Aquarel·listes de Catalunya date back to the second half of the 19th century, with 1865 marked as its founding year.
Initially, a group of painters passionate about watercolor gathered in an informal workshop known as "Taller el Embudo," where artists such as Tomàs Moragas, Maurici Vilomara, and Lluís Labarta worked. In 1879, the group moved to a room in the Fomento de la Producción Nacional, with watercolorists like Ramon Alorda, Enric Cusachs, and Antoni Caba, who also explored other artistic techniques.
When the hosting entity merged with another and lost its premises, the artists rented a space in the Casa de la Canonja, also known as Pia Almoina, and in 1881 adopted the name Centro de Acuarelistas, with Tomàs Moragas as president. In 1882, when Moragas took over the direction of the School of Arts and Crafts in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Josep Lluís Pellicer assumed the presidency.
Over the years, the organization went through various headquarters and phases of transformation, with members promoting the expansion of its activities to include other disciplines such as sculpture and ceramics, thus strengthening its legacy in Catalan painting.
Our current headquarters is located at C/ Diputació, 423, 08013 Barcelona.
In 2025, we are hosting the 28th ECWS International Symposium in Barcelona, a city that allows us to offer a program full of activities and inspiration for all participants.
Welcome
28º SIMPOSIO INTERNACIONAL
AND WATERCOLOR EXHIBITION
Ten years after organizing our international watercolor symposium in Llançá celebrating our 150th anniversary, we are honored to once again organize a watercolor symposium in collaboration with the ECWS European Confederation Watercolor Society, just as we celebrate our 160th anniversary, being one of the oldest watercolor associations in our country.
This time, the Symposium will be held in Barcelona, where we have our headquarters and workshops. We also believe that holding it in our city will make it easier to communicate with participants from other countries, and they will be able to visit some of the most interesting tourist attractions in our city.
The exhibition, which will bring together all the works selected by the various ECWS member associations, will be held at the LLOTJA, a landmark venue for Barcelona and the art world. This year, the school of art and design is renowned for its 250th anniversary and is well-known to all artists.
The Agrupació d'Aquarel·listes de Catalunya (AAC) has organized this symposium in the hope that participants will enjoy the events we've prepared with great artists and also enjoy our city and our culture during their stay.
Looking forward to your participation as host of the event,
José Antonio Espinosa
President of the AAC
Locations
ACCREDITATIONS
MASTERCLASS
EXCURSION TO SITGES
Fishing village, Promenade, Church of St. Bartolomé, Palau Maricel, Cau Ferrat Museum
Masterclass
Joan Coch
Masterclass Tuesday 14th, 12:00
Joan Coch is a versatile painter and designer from Sabadell, Barcelona. He has dedicated his professional life to the world of the arts (interior design, furniture, architecture, painting, graphic arts, comics, visual art, etc.), always seeking out new trends in the fields of artistic expression.
Anet Duncan
Masterclass Tuesday 14th, 5:00 PM
Anet Duncan, a painter originally from Durban, South Africa, has lived in Barcelona for 40 years. Her work can be described as poetic and abstract, and it is said that it exudes a sense of peace and relaxation. Her extensive resume includes First Prize at the Llançà Watercolor Biennial in 1996 and the AAC Gold Medal in 1999
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T. Jordà Vitó
Masterclass Wednesday 15th, 10:00
She was born in Terrassa (Barcelona) and earned her degree in Fine Arts, Painting, and Design from the University of Barcelona in 1989. Considered one of the leading abstract watercolorists, she has an extensive résumé that includes numerous national and international watercolor awards, for example Silver and Gold of the ACC.
Esperanza García Canari
Masterclass Wednesday 15th, 12:00
He began his training in the workshop of the painter Sanvisens.
Graduate in Fine Arts from the Faculty of Sant Jordi (Barcelona). Advanced Technician in Applied Arts. Specializing in Textile Design. Professor of Drawing.
Rosa Permanyer
Masterclass Thursday 16th, 10:30
Rosa Permanyer, a graduate in Arts and Crafts specializing in Interior Design, is currently studying art at the Eina School in Barcelona. She is the founding professor of the Manolo Hugué Art Workshop in Caldes de Montbui. She combines her artistic career with teaching, specializing in both watercolor and printmaking.
Cesc Farré
Masterclass Thursday 16th, 5:00 PM
Honorary member of the Accademia Internazionale dell'Acquarello and elected member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolor. A graphic artist and architect from the ETSAV (UPC), he has served on international juries and won awards in numerous competitions. He combines teaching with research and his own artistic creation. Author of the book Mares y Cielos and several online painting courses, he exhibits in galleries and salons, prioritizing recent and innovative works.
Excursion to Sitges Friday 17th
Excursion and visit to the coastal town of Sitges, departing by coach from Barcelona to explore this fishing and tourist town, located southwest of Barcelona and surrounded by the Garraf Natural Park. It has a train station and is a 40-minute drive from Barcelona.
Sitges is known for its promenade and beaches, as well as its old town and its streets lined with traditional shops, restaurants, bars, and more. However, its current economy is based on tourism and culture. The Sitges Fantasy Film Festival is held here. In the past, the area was primarily dedicated to farming and vineyards, and the Malvasia de Sitges wine is still produced there.
We can also visit the Palau Maricel and the Cau Ferrat Museum, located in the home and studio of the painter and writer Santiago Rusiñol, one of the leading figures of modernism in Catalonia, where ancient works of art collected by the artist (painting, wrought iron, ceramics, glass, archaeology, sculpture and furniture) are exhibited.
Sitges also has a mermaid, a bronze sculpture by Pere Jou located facing the sea and in front of the steps of the Church of San Bartolomé y Sta. Tecla, waving at us.
Hotels
GALA DINNER
CATALONIA BARCELONA PLAZA ****
CATALONIA PLAZA CATALUNYA ****
CATALONIA EIXAMPLE 1864 ****
CATALONIA ATHENS ****
CATALONIA DIAGONAL CENTRO ****
CATALONIA HOLY FAMILY ***
CATALONIA ROMA ***
Organized by:
With the collaboration of:
Sponsors:
Contact
C/ Diputáció, 423, 08013 Barcelona
+34 93 245 57 50