Artists
About us
Alma Artista isn’t just an art gallery and a hub for artisanal creations—it’s a gathering of five friends who decided their creative souls needed more than a WhatsApp group to thrive. What started as a casual dream of 'let’s make cool stuff together' quickly escalated when a shop at the Calheta Marina practically winked at them and said, ‘Why not here?’ And so, they took the plunge, proving that with enough creativity (and maybe some caffeine), even the most artistic daydreams can set sail.
The Soul Artist creativity
The vision of Alma Artista? Simple: showcase the work of permanent artists while giving guest exhibitors their moment in the spotlight—because everyone deserves a chance to shine. Think of it as a creativity Airbnb: some stay for the long haul, others just pop in to leave their mark. The goal is to bring art and craft exhibitions to Calheta, proving that this spot isn’t just about sun and sea, but also about talent and imagination. The motto here is clear: get inspired, admire, and, if you can, take something home (preferably something that fits in your suitcase).
Our permanent artists
Emilie
Emilie, French-Madaderian, osteopath and painter, has lived on the island since 2022.
She paints realistic paintings in pastel and acrylic paint.
Florence
Florence has been a painter for 22 years, originally from the south of France, living in Madeira since 2018.
She uses light and transmits it in her contemporary works. With experience in interior decoration with Feng Shui, she possesses the metamorphosis art.
Her website www.flocartiste.com
Sabrina
Sabrina is from the east of France.
Arrived in Madeira in 2016, she discovered her passion for art. She works with wood from the pebble
and gives a second life to materials through recycling.
Our collaborating artists
Ana
Daughter of foreigners from the Island of Madeira, residing in Venezuela, the country where I was born, surrounded by a beautiful cultural mix, influenced by Don Manuel who played the accordion and Dona Adelaide embroiderer, weaver and ceramist.
Art has always run through my blood and endowed with a lot of curiosity and exploration of life.
I developed between music, singing, drawing, dance, painting, crafts in its various expressions, clothing design, modeling, acting, writing, photography... With a special passion for nature, and its details, the interest of works made with recycled material also arose.
I am an artist who explores life and art in its diversified creative expressions.
Marion
Actually it was a coincidence that I got into pottery 15 years ago after moving from Germany to Madeira.
In Germany I had worked as a fashion designer for many years and in Madeira I found a job in tourism. It was an exciting new experience and I learned a lot, but after a while the desire came up to get creative again, and when a friend introduced me to pottery, it was love at first touch.
I started ceramics as a hobby, but it soon became a deep passion and in 2009 I decided to quit my job to have more time to experiment with clay and learn about the different techniques and ways of modeling, building and decorating. It's an ongoing process and I'm constantly evolving and I am always up for new experiments and challenges.
I love to play with contrasts and the combination of rough, textured surfaces with smooth, shiny glazes on the same object.
The enchanting nature of Madeira, its exotic flowers and plants and its diverse landscapes, shaped by wind, sun and sea, are an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
For a long time I was striving for perfection, because basically I am a very perfectionist person. But the more I got involved with pottery and ceramics, I realized that true beauty is not found in perfection, but in those small imperfections that make each piece unmistakable and unique. What could be more wonderful than a piece of ceramics in which you can still see the process of shaping and the traces of the person who created it? Whoever holds such a ceramic in their hands will feel the life and magic of this work. The clay itself is such a living material and you should still be able to see and feel that in the finished work.
I create my objects with a lot of patience, reflection and attention. Each object has its distinct characteristics. The final result reflects the traces of the creation process and speaks of each touch and manipulation.
Living with beautiful objects, handcrafted with care and thought, reminds us to slow down, creates moments of joy in everyday life, nourishes our soul and helps us reconnect with nature.
Our external artists
Corinne
Stylist and concepts creator
THE ZIPSEA BIKINI
A unique concept offers a swimming costume
that can be converted into a dress.
THE CONCEPT ZIPSEA BIKINI
The ZIPSEA BIKINI is a unique model on the the swimwear market. A swimming costume that can be transformed into a dress and skirt with a zip hidden under the
tie band.
The ZIPSEA BIKINI 3-in-1 concept
DRESS / SWIMMING COSTUME
BATHING SUIT / SKIRT
Available in a in a multitude of colours,
all models can be combined to create original
original outfits.
THE MATERIAL
Highly resistant to chlorinated water, seawater and UV. Quick drying.
Machine washable at 30°.
GRAMMAGE from 170 to 210 gr/m2
COMPOSITION According to model 90% PA / 10% EA
80% PA / 20% EA
Certified spandex
Anna
Anna is ceramist and painter
Carolina
Abstract contemporary artist
After studying design in Berlin, the camera gave way to the canvas and I concentrated entirely on the world of analogue art that I had immersed myself in as a child.
Until now, figuralism has guided my will as an artist and my inspiration to creatively incorporate sculptural elements and realism into my work.
Natural elements such as sand and rocks find their way into certain paintings and create a three-dimensional landscape from a two-dimensional surface.
Nienke
Nienke (and her husband) have chosen a free life, without children. They have traveled extensively, and lived in India in winters for many years. They had their own company together in the Netherlands for 15 years. Nienke designed special unique memorial stones, which were made in India. They also took care of the import, lettering and placement together.
Nienke is now no longer working and she has more time for painting again.Since 2020, Nienke has settled in Madeira part-time with her husband and dog Suze.They commute between the Netherlands and Madeira every three months. Nienke has made many drawings with pencil in the past. After that, India ink and water were favorites. Occasionally a work of art on a larger surface, such as a wall, with acrylic paint.
As a hobby, she paints small children or adults on special occasions. Nienke is not into the abstract, but more into realism and details in her paintings.
Nienke chose a commercial education in her youth. Out of insecurity about turning her talent into a profession, she never followed any special art training. She is self-taught.
Since 2020, watercolor painting has come her way. Animals, especially dogs, cats and birds, are popular subjects. Madeira's newly discovered landscape and wildlife is also a fascinating muse at the moment.
Marc
Marc Folcher is a versatile photographer and creator. Born in the Paris region, he was introduced to medium and large format film photography. He has worked for fashion designers and created portfolios for actors. He then specialized in scientific photography at the Pasteur Institute and turned to biophotonics and public communication events with bioluminescent life paintings (bioglyphs). Passionate about craftsmanship, he has created handcrafted guitars, lamps, and jewelry. Since 2019, he has been in Madeira, drawing, painting, and exploring the Laurisilva to characterize bioluminescence phenomena.
As the head of the Lumiwald project, which studies UNESCO-protected forests, he is committed to raising public awareness and communicating for biodiversity protection by using bioluminescence and vision as communication vectors. All proceeds from the sale of his creative works will be invested in the Lumiwald project.
Marie
I am a starseed consciousness, intuitive therapist at heart, orgonite creator, photographer, stellar vibratory canvas creator, medium, channel, guided by my higher self, my stellar family and the energy of dragons.
Each orgonite pendant I create is a unique work of art, handcrafted in France with love and care. These pendants are more than just jewellery, they are true energetic allies, designed to raise your personal vibration and accompany you on your inner journey.
Annette
"A story of light"
Annette Emrich is fascinated by light and its reflections on different materials. It is inspired by the water reflections on the sea or by the pool, but also by water drops, water bubbles, soap bubbles and glass marbles. With her colored abstract works, she was inspired by the famous German artist Ernst Wilhelm Nay and gave him a tribute. Starting from her training in old-master oil painting with well-known German artists, Annette Emrich has dealt with other techniques. She also paints with acrylic and watercolor or works with epoxy, depending on which artistic idea she wants to implement. Her works are represented in collections in Germany, Austria and Portugal. It has already had numerous solo and group exhibitions in Germany and Austria. Annette Emrich lives and works in Germany at Lake Starnberg and in Calheta, Madeira.