Art is no longer confined to galleries in Calpe, it’s spilling out onto the streets. The coastal town has unveiled a new cultural initiative that is turning its historic centre into an open-air creative hub, inviting both locals and visitors to experience art in a more immersive, accessible way.

Known as “The Art Street,” the concept has quickly gained momentum and is now set to become a recurring monthly event. The initiative reimagines how art is consumed, shifting it from static exhibitions to something far more dynamic and engaging.

A monthly cultural ritual in the heart of Calp

Held on the first Sunday of every month from 10am to 2pm, the event takes place along Calle Santísimo Cristo, near the historic Torreó de la Peça in Calp’s old town.

By establishing a regular schedule, the event becomes more than a one-off attraction, it evolves into a cultural fixture. The aim is to consistently draw people into the historic quarter, encouraging footfall while breathing new life into one of the town’s most characterful areas.

The open-air format removes traditional barriers often associated with art spaces, making the experience feel spontaneous, inclusive, and easy to engage with.

Live art in action: creativity on display

What sets this initiative apart is its focus on the creative process itself. Rather than simply displaying finished works, artists create in real time, transforming the street into a working studio.

Visitors can watch painters and illustrators at work, witnessing ideas come to life from blank canvas to finished piece. This behind-the-scenes perspective adds a deeper layer to the experience, allowing audiences to connect with the art on a more personal level.

It also creates a natural dialogue between artist and viewer, people can ask questions, learn about techniques, and gain insight into the inspiration behind each piece.

A platform for local talent

At its core, “The Art Street” is about visibility. The initiative provides a valuable platform for local artists to showcase their work outside traditional gallery settings.

For many creatives, opportunities to exhibit can be limited or inaccessible. This event offers an alternative, one that is informal, high-traffic, and rooted in community.

By placing artists directly in front of an audience, it fosters meaningful connections while supporting the local creative economy.

Where culture meets heritage

The setting plays a crucial role in the event’s appeal. Calpe’s old town, with its narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, and historic charm, becomes part of the artistic experience itself.

The contrast between contemporary creativity and traditional architecture adds depth and atmosphere, turning a simple stroll into something far more memorable.

This fusion of culture and heritage also strengthens Calpe’s broader appeal as a destination, offering visitors more than just beaches, an authentic, cultural layer that enhances the overall experience.

A new vision for community-driven culture

Beyond its artistic value, the initiative reflects a wider strategy: revitalising the old town and promoting community-led cultural experiences.

By making art visible, accessible, and recurring, the event encourages people to spend time in the area, supporting nearby businesses and creating a sense of shared space.

The result is a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere, one where creativity, conversation, and culture come together effortlessly.

Ultimately, “The Art Street” is more than an event. It’s a shift in how art is experienced, open, interactive, and woven into everyday life.

Calpe is once again spotlighting its cultural scene with the opening of “Between Fish and Nets”, a new exhibition by artist David Alonso. Hosted at the Sala del Ajuntament Vell, the exhibition runs throughout April and offers free entry, inviting both locals and visitors to experience a deeply immersive artistic journey rooted in Mediterranean life.

Alonso’s latest body of work draws heavily on the rhythms, textures and traditions of the sea. Through a series of intricate compositions, he reimagines marine life, fish, nets and organic formsl, into layered visual narratives that blur the line between representation and abstraction. His work captures not only the physicality of the ocean but also its emotional and cultural resonance.

At the heart of the exhibition is a powerful sense of place. The Mediterranean is not simply a backdrop but a living, breathing presence that informs every piece. Fish commonly found along the Spanish coast, rendered through graphic techniques and textured surfaces, become symbols of a shared heritage. Nets, meanwhile, appear as both literal objects and metaphorical devices, suggesting connection, entanglement and the passage of time.

A contemporary lens on coastal heritage

What makes “Between Fish and Nets” particularly compelling is its ability to bridge tradition with contemporary artistic expression. Alonso, whose practice is rooted in graphic art and printmaking, experiments with layering, repetition and materiality to create works that reward close observation. Each piece reveals subtle details, overlapping patterns, delicate imprints, and tactile surfaces, that speak to his meticulous process.

The recurring motif of fishing nets plays a central role in the exhibition’s narrative. Far from being decorative, these elements evoke the lived experiences of coastal communities. They hint at labour, survival and the invisible threads that bind generations together. In Alonso’s hands, nets become vessels of memory, holding stories that extend beyond the canvas.

The choice of venue further enhances the experience. The Sala del Ajuntament Vell, with its historic character and intimate scale, provides a fitting backdrop for a collection so deeply tied to local identity. The interplay between the building’s heritage and Alonso’s contemporary works creates a dialogue between past and present, encouraging visitors to reflect on how traditions evolve over time.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the exhibition also raises subtle questions about humanity’s relationship with the natural world. In an era where environmental concerns and cultural shifts are increasingly urgent, Alonso’s work invites a moment of pause. It asks viewers to reconsider their connection to the sea, not as a distant landscape, but as an integral part of collective identity.

By offering free access, Calpe continues to reinforce its commitment to making culture accessible and engaging. The exhibition forms part of a broader effort to position the town as a cultural destination, complementing its well-known beaches and natural beauty with meaningful artistic programming.

For those exploring the Costa Blanca this spring, “Between Fish and Nets” offers something refreshingly different. It is not a spectacle, but an invitation… to look closer, to feel deeper, and to rediscover the Mediterranean through a more intimate, reflective lens.