The Story of deCERCA
deCERCA, founded by Konstantina Stamatiadis, first existed as a contemporary art project to promote established and emerging Costa Rican artists. Before the establishment of deCERCA as a physical gallery space, the project offered alternative opportunities for contemporary artists to showcase their work and help create awareness of the emerging contemporary art scene of San José. deCERCA’s collaborations with artists and independent art spaces differentiated it from traditional galleries and exhibition spaces by creating a nurturing environment that actively uplifted the voices of the artistic community.
In the years following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, deCERCA evolved into a creative platform, adopting an exhibition format under the label #espacioocupado. The goal was to create temporary and short-lived exhibitions, characterized by the temporary occupation of spaces and a deep and ongoing collaboration with independent artists. Artist studios were open to the public, allowing for a “behind the scenes” understanding of a virtual “renaissance” in art and art making in San Jose.
deCERCA, Gerardo Ramírez, and the impetus for a gallery space
In 2021, Konstantina visited artist Gerardo Ramírez at his studio in San José. The meeting followed her discovery of the breadth of his artistic production—works that had been stored away for years, unseen by the public. From the desire to bring visibility to artists like Gerardo emerged the idea of creating a commercial gallery a space not only for exhibitions but also for collections—a second life for the artwork.
“My visit to his studio became more than just a reunion; it became the beginning of a mission to ensure that Gerardo’s art found its rightful place in the cultural landscape of Costa Rica and beyond. My previous encounters with him had been brief yet compelling, like the time I visited him in Toronto in 2012, where he had lived for nearly half a century. It was clear that his work was a testament to relentless dedication and creative strength. And yet, despite its undeniable power, his art remained relatively unknown in his home country.” – Konstantina, 2021
A sense of urgency took hold—urgency to act on behalf of artists who had lived in obscurity, and urgency in the face of time itself, as Gerardo’s declining health underscored the need for swift action. Resources such as Galería Alternativa’s archive, which held documents about Gerardo’s life and work, sparked the Museum of Costa Rican Art (MAC)’s interest in hosting his first solo exhibition in Costa Rica—at the age of seventy-four. deCERCA became an integral part of this effort. In close collaboration with the museum, it worked to revive and illuminate the artist’s legacy, ensuring his work would finally receive the recognition it deserved.
deCERCA San Jose
In October 2022, deCERCA opened its doors in the Los Yoses neighborhood with a clear purpose: to promote and disseminate local artistic production, establish smooth communication among various cultural players at both national and international levels, and provide guidance and stimulus for collecting Costa Rican Contemporary Art. Some months later, in January 2023, the opportunity to create a bridge with the coastal town of Nosara was made possible. deCERCA Nosara opened its doors in Hotel Sendero, bringing together art enthusiasts from around the world with the essence of the Costa Rican art sector which had, for long, been concentrated in San José. A variety of curated solo and group exhibitions have highlighted the work of emerging and established artists working in a variety of mediums. Through them, the gallery has been successful in mobilizing the local community and introduce them, a new public, to the various trends in the Costa Rican contemporary art landscape.
deCERCA Nosara
In January 2023, deCERCA Nosara opened its doors in a dedicated art space at Hotel Sendero, providing an additional opportunity to showcase the work of Costa Rican artists to local art enthusiasts and international visitors through a program of solo and group exhibitions.
Casa deCERCA
In July 2024, deCERCA established its new location in San José. This move represents an act of resistance to the idea of a non-market and a commitment to continuity, irrespective of the surrounding conditions.