Free Sculpture Exhibit at Salón del Pueblo: 'A Century of Art and Passion' by Virgilio Quinde — Through April 30
Cuenca Expat Staff
The Exhibit
"Un Siglo de Arte y Pasión" — A Century of Art and Passion — is a new exhibit of work by sculptor maestro Virgilio Quinde Tacuri, running at the Salón del Pueblo «Efraín Jara Idrovo» in El Centro through April 30, 2026. Entry is free (source).
Who Virgilio Quinde Is
Quinde Tacuri is the sculptor behind the Chola Cuencana monument — the iconic bronze figure of a traditional Cuencana woman that sits at the entrance to the city. If you've walked or driven through that area, you've almost certainly seen his work without knowing his name.
This exhibit is a retrospective pulling together work from across his career.
What This Means for You
- It's free, it's El Centro, and it's indoor. Perfect low-commitment afternoon stop on a hot day or during the UV peak hours.
- Good context for Foundation Week. The Chola Cuencana is one of the city's most recognizable cultural symbols. Seeing more of the sculptor's work adds depth to everything else happening in town this week.
- Pair it with a walk through Parque Calderón — the exhibit venue is a short stroll from the cathedral, so you can string it together with other El Centro stops.
- No Spanish needed. It's sculpture. Show up, look, enjoy.
If you've been meaning to dip into Cuenca's visual arts scene but never had an entry point, a free retrospective of a master sculptor is a very easy yes.
Source: El Mercurio
