Algeciras Art School getting ready for its 100th anniversary

If you’ve not noticed the building, you were trying to negotiate the roundabout. If you have, you may have wondered what it was. It’s the Escuela de Artes y Oficios de Algeciras, which is getting ready to celebrate its 100th birthday next year. The first Art School in Algeciras was opened in 1910, its headquarters passing from one building to another and from one denomination to another, flowing with the vicissitudes of pre- and post-Civil War decrees.
The present building was designed by architect Fernando Garrido Gutiérrez and opened on June 18, 1971 – it had the electric installation but no electricity, according to the school’s website. The building won all sorts of national and international prizes for architecture a the time.
Some 350 students attended the first courses there, including Leatherwork, Blacksmithing, Art & Decoration, Signwriting, Painting & Drawing and Photography.>

The choice has expanded since then, of course, and is a very active cultural centre for the Campo de Gibraltar, holding exhibitions, conferences and seminars throughout the year (photo of the most recent exhibition poster, designed and executed by students).
If you’re wondering about the Jimena connection, we know several students who attend the Art School daily. Another connection is that Phil Ward de Bullrich taught Art, Drawing and Ceramics there in the 1970s. Our partner site JimenArte is dedicated to her memory.