Laura Bardier's vision for ESTE ARTE has transformed Uruguay into a significant player in the international art scene. The fair, now in its 12th edition, was the brainchild of Bardier, an Uruguayan curator with years of experience working within the institutional art system.
Bardier recognized that Uruguay lacked a well-established structure to support local artists and collectors. There were few serious collectors, and those who acquired art typically did so through foreign auction houses or purchased decorative pieces for their homes. This led Bardier to launch ESTE ARTE in Punta del Este, a coastal resort town popular with wealthy international visitors.
The fair's early years were marked by limited participation from local galleries and artists. However, under Bardier's leadership, the event has grown significantly, receiving applications from over 600 exhibitors last year. Today, ESTE ARTE boasts an impressive lineup of domestic and international galleries, offering a platform for both established and emerging artists.
Bardier's approach to building the art market from scratch was centered around creating a supportive ecosystem that would foster growth and professionalization. She prioritized fostering meaningful dialogue between collectors, curators, and local artists, as well as introducing global standards to the local market.
The fair has become a key destination for Latin American galleries and collectors seeking more decentralized markets beyond traditional biennales like ARCO or Art Basel Miami.
ESTE ARTE's impact extends beyond its own success. Bardier has established herself as an influential figure in Uruguayan art, with her former assistant now serving as director of culture for the government. The fair has also inspired a new generation of collectors and curators.
Despite 12 years of growth, Bardier remains committed to refinement, focusing on raising standards each year. Her dedication to building a sustainable art ecosystem has made ESTE ARTE an essential stop on the global art circuit.
ESTE ARTE's transformation of Uruguay's art scene is a testament to Bardier's vision and perseverance. As the fair continues to grow, it remains true to its core principles: fostering community, promoting local artists, and bringing together like-minded individuals from around the world.
Through ESTE ARTE, Bardier has created an internationally recognized platform for Uruguayan art, solidifying the country's position in the global art market. As she looks to expand her initiative, one thing is clear: Laura Bardier is a driving force behind Uruguay's cultural renaissance, and her influence will be felt for years to come.
Bardier recognized that Uruguay lacked a well-established structure to support local artists and collectors. There were few serious collectors, and those who acquired art typically did so through foreign auction houses or purchased decorative pieces for their homes. This led Bardier to launch ESTE ARTE in Punta del Este, a coastal resort town popular with wealthy international visitors.
The fair's early years were marked by limited participation from local galleries and artists. However, under Bardier's leadership, the event has grown significantly, receiving applications from over 600 exhibitors last year. Today, ESTE ARTE boasts an impressive lineup of domestic and international galleries, offering a platform for both established and emerging artists.
Bardier's approach to building the art market from scratch was centered around creating a supportive ecosystem that would foster growth and professionalization. She prioritized fostering meaningful dialogue between collectors, curators, and local artists, as well as introducing global standards to the local market.
The fair has become a key destination for Latin American galleries and collectors seeking more decentralized markets beyond traditional biennales like ARCO or Art Basel Miami.
ESTE ARTE's impact extends beyond its own success. Bardier has established herself as an influential figure in Uruguayan art, with her former assistant now serving as director of culture for the government. The fair has also inspired a new generation of collectors and curators.
Despite 12 years of growth, Bardier remains committed to refinement, focusing on raising standards each year. Her dedication to building a sustainable art ecosystem has made ESTE ARTE an essential stop on the global art circuit.
ESTE ARTE's transformation of Uruguay's art scene is a testament to Bardier's vision and perseverance. As the fair continues to grow, it remains true to its core principles: fostering community, promoting local artists, and bringing together like-minded individuals from around the world.
Through ESTE ARTE, Bardier has created an internationally recognized platform for Uruguayan art, solidifying the country's position in the global art market. As she looks to expand her initiative, one thing is clear: Laura Bardier is a driving force behind Uruguay's cultural renaissance, and her influence will be felt for years to come.
just think about it, 12 yrs of growth & refinement & uruguay has gone from having no serious collectors or local art scene to being a big player in the international art world 
este arte has created a supportive ecosystem that's fostering growth & professionalization in uruguayan artists & collectors 
I'm loving how ESTE ARTE has not only elevated the local art scene in Uruguay but also made it more accessible to collectors from around the world 
It's awesome that Laura Bardier's vision has created a supportive ecosystem for artists to thrive and connect with each other. The fact that her initiative has inspired a new generation of curators and collectors is a testament to her dedication 
The fair's growth is a huge success story, and I'm excited to see what the future holds for ESTE ARTE 
The fact that it's become a key destination for Latin American galleries and collectors is a huge win. It just goes to show that with the right vision and leadership (big shoutout to Laura Bardier!), we can turn our local scenes into something truly special.
I'm so stoked about what Laura Bardier has done for Uruguayan art! She literally created an entire ecosystem for local artists and collectors from scratch. I mean, can you imagine having a huge gap in the market like that? 
She must have been so determined to fill it with ESTE ARTE. And it's not just about the art itself, but about building a community around it too. The fact that she prioritized dialogue between collectors, curators, and local artists is genius! 
I think what's most impressive is that she's still pushing herself to improve every year, making sure everything stays on track. 
. I mean, who needs local artists when you've got international connections and a pretty beach to boot? The fact that Bardier had to create this whole ecosystem to support local talent just goes to show how rigged the system is against emerging artists. And now she's got a government official in her pocket, great, just what we need more cronyism 
.
laura bardier is lowkey a genius for seein thru the lack of a proper art scene here n makin it happen 12 editions in & shes still goin str8 
and can we talk about how bardier is an influencer in uruguayan art now?! 
and now it's a major player on the international circuit 
! I love how she brought together galleries, collectors, and local artists to create this supportive ecosystem 
. And yeah, it's awesome that she's created a platform for Uruguayan art to be recognized globally 
. Can't we have more of a focus on sustainability and community-driven initiatives instead of just profit 
.
laura bardier is literally a pioneer! she saw the need for a proper structure to support local artists and collectors, and now este arte is like, the go-to destination for galleries and collectors alike 
. I think this is a great example of how passion and hard work can lead to real change 
.