Villena exhibition celebrates artistic legacy and Moors and Christians costume designs

Villena is celebrating the work of local artist Pedro Marco with an exhibition exploring the important role he played in designing costumes for the town’s famous Moors and Christians fiestas.

The exhibition, The Dress Made Art: Pedro Marco’s Contribution to the Fiesta, is now open at the Casa de la Cultura and continues until September 27.

Marco, who lived from 1949 to 2022, was a prolific artist and designer whose connection with Villena’s fiestas stretched across more than five decades.

Costumes that helped shape the fiestas

The exhibition includes paintings dedicated to the Moors and Christians celebrations, with particular attention given to the women’s costumes Marco designed during the late 1980s, when women were first permitted to take part in the fiestas.

His designs form part of an important period in the history of the celebrations, when women’s participation brought changes to the appearance and development of the different fiesta groups.

Visitors can see how Marco used his artistic skills to create clothing specifically for the celebrations, turning traditional fiesta costumes into another form of creative expression.

The exhibition also offers an opportunity to look back at how the visual identity of Villena’s famous celebrations developed during Marco’s long association with them.

Designs for Villena’s Tuaregs

Visitors can also discover Marco’s work for the Tuaregs group of the Moroccan side.

From the late 1960s onwards, Marco created elaborate tunics and distinctive turbans for the group, helping to establish a recognisable style that became closely connected with its appearance during the fiestas.

His contribution went well beyond costumes. The exhibition also includes examples of his extensive graphic work, including posters and covers created for fiesta magazines and books.

Together, the different pieces show the wide-ranging influence Marco had on the visual character of the celebrations over several decades.

Exhibition continues until September 27

The exhibition is open daily from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and continues until September 27.

Visitors should note that it will be closed on August 29 and 30 and from September 4 to 10 during Villena’s patron saint fiestas.

The Casa de la Cultura is located at Plaza Santiago, 7, 03400 Villena. For more information, call (+34) 965 80 11 50.