The Oxígeno Art Fair (Oxígeno Feria de Art)e will take place from Friday, 23 October, to Sunday, 25 October 2026 at the Centro Cultural del Puerto in Asunción. Its ninth edition features 74 contemporary artists. Visitors can discover new work, meet creators and purchase original pieces. Admission is free with registration through Passline.
Artists are selected through an open call. The committee includes curator and cultural manager Lia Colombino, artist and cultural manager Fredi Casco, and curator and researcher Carolina Ariza. In particular, they assess the strength of each proposal and the diversity of artistic approaches. As a result, their selection reflects the variety of Paraguay’s contemporary art scene.
A growing platform for contemporary art
Since its first edition, the Oxígeno Art Fair has grown from 25 participating artists into a meeting point for creators, collectors, galleries and the public. Furthermore, the 2025 edition attracted more than 5,000 visitors over three days, according to the organisers. This attendance reflects growing interest in contemporary art.
The fair aims to strengthen Paraguay’s art market by connecting artists with potential buyers and introducing their work to wider audiences. For example, visitors can explore different artistic practices and speak directly with creators. In addition, they can purchase original artwork. Family activities, meeting spaces and a food area also offer attractions throughout the weekend.
Residencies and awards for artists
Beyond exhibitions and sales, Oxígeno supports artistic development through awards, residencies, publications and professional exchanges. These initiatives encourage research and new creative projects. Moreover, they connect Paraguayan artists with the international contemporary art scene.
The Fronteras Abiertas (Open Borders) initiative offers an artistic residency and international exchange in Italy. Similarly, the La Nave Award provides another opportunity for participating artists. Developed with Proyecto PAC and La Nave, it offers a research and production residency in Escobar, Buenos Aires Province. La Nave is the studio and residence of Argentine artist Andrés Waissman.
Meanwhile, the Entrecruces residency connects contemporary art with Paraguay’s traditional and popular crafts. Additionally, Fábrica Galería de Arte presents the Fábrica Award, which supports an individual exhibition with curatorial guidance.
The Impronta Award is organised in collaboration with Fundación Itaú. Specifically, it supports a publication dedicated to a selected artist’s work. Meanwhile, the Colección Mendonca Acquisition Award purchases a selected artwork for the private collection, providing further support for artists.
Supporting Paraguay’s art market
Oxígeno also encourages collecting through an acquisitions programme. Through this initiative, it promotes purchases of works by participating artists. Previous participants include Daniel Nasta, Poletti, Rivas Collection, Ardissone and Colección Mendonca.
These purchases provide direct support for artists. Furthermore, they help preserve contemporary artistic production in Paraguay. By combining exhibitions, sales and professional opportunities, the fair strengthens connections between artists, collectors and the wider public.
The fair runs from 23 to 25 October at the Centro Cultural del Puerto in Asunción. Visitors can register for free admission through Passline and follow Oxígeno Feria de Arte on Instagram for further information.
Also read: From Lithuania to Paraguay: How artist María Lyakhovitskaya found her true home.
