Unesc's Cultural Space "Toque de Arte" opens an exhibition celebrating the vibrant legacy of Willy Zumblick
In the dynamic ebb and flow of students, professors, and visitors crossing the Administrative Block of Unesc, the usual rhythm of university life takes a poetic pause. On opening night, the Space ...
Publicado por: Décio Batista
em 21 de outubro de 2026
Tempo de leitura: 9 minutos.
In the dynamic ebb and flow of students, professors, and visitors crossing the Administrative Block of Unesc, the usual rhythm of university life takes a poetic pause. On the opening night, the Toque de Arte Cultural Space opened its doors for the exhibition "Popular Experiences of Willy Zumblick: Celebrations, Figures, and Territory," an immersion into the visual memory and affection of the people of Santa Catarina.
Promoted by the Pro-Rectorate of Research, Graduate Studies, Innovation, and Extension (Propriex), with support from the Directorate of Extension, Culture, and Community Actions (Dirext), and organized by the Arts and Culture Sector, the exhibition is a partnership with the city hall of Tubarão, through the Tubarão Cultural Foundation, and pays tribute to an artist whose life intertwined with the very history of his community. The exhibition's curation is by museologist Silvana Silva de Souza in partnership with the Cultural Coordinator of Tubarão, Edilene Tomaz.
The Portinari of the South
Just as Cândido Portinari immortalized in colors and forms the workers and the struggles of Brazil's Southeast, Willy Zumblick played an equivalent role in the South of the country. Throughout his career, the painter from Tubarão produced over five thousand works, creating a unique documentary collection about the daily life, labor, spirituality, and simple joys of the people of Santa Catarina.
Zumblick never sought the idealized landscape or commissioned aristocratic portraits. His brush found poetry in the calloused hands of workers, in the marks of time etched on an elderly person's face, or in the carefree smile accompanied by a glass of wine on a festive day. For the painter, a portrait is only complete when it reveals the depth of a lifetime.
A Journey in Three Acts
With original paintings and reproductions in LED technology, the exhibition "Popular Experiences" dives into the identity of the southern state. The exhibition was structured to reenact Zumblick's own creative logic, proposing a narrative journey divided into three integrated acts:
The Land: The territory and regional landscape as a starting point.
Who Inhabits It: The human being who transforms the space through work and coexistence.
The Celebration: The culminating moment when the community gathers to celebrate life and tradition.
In Zumblick's poetic vision, the territory only comes to life when it is worked, and culture reaches its peak in collective celebration.
The heart of this festivity lies in the Feast of the Divine Holy Spirit of Laguna, an Azorean tradition from the 18th century that the artist pioneeringly captured in monumental paintings. Alongside it, manifestations such as the Boi de Mamão and the nighttime processions gain prominence, reaffirming popular culture as a living, resilient organism in constant reinvention.
Tradition and Innovation: Accessible and Democratic Art
One of the most intriguing aspects of the exhibition is the harmonious coexistence between two original paintings and reproductions displayed on high-definition LED panels. More than a technical alternative to enable the itinerancy of historically valuable and delicately preserved works, this composition provokes a modern dialogue about reach and cultural democratization.
The presence of technology allows the artwork to circulate in new spaces and reach a diverse audience, reaffirming the very popular essence that has always guided Zumblick's creation. Seeing the glow of a bonfire or the vivid red of a flamboyant in bloom translated both in paint and in LED light invites reflection on how art connects with our time without losing its soul.
Statements
At the opening ceremony, the authorities expressed in their speeches the importance and historical moment of installing the exhibition on the campus of a community university rich in knowledge, art, culture, and research.
In the view of Pro-Rector Vanessa Moraes de Andrade, as a university, these works promote a very important dialogue about the customs of society at the time.
"We at Unesc are very happy to host the work of a Tubarão artist who primarily aimed to portray everyday life and, especially, the culture of the people, such as the Feast of the Divine and the Boi de Mamão. He is not just an artist who depicts the people: he portrays the popular culture of the South of our state. It is very special to receive these works in our cultural space, where students and the academic and external community circulate," she emphasized.
For the director of the Tubarão Cultural Foundation, Alysson Pinto Oliveira, seeing the works of the Tubarão artist in such a privileged location is an honor for the institution.
"First and foremost, it is an honor and a privilege to be here, bringing the culture and way of making art of Willy Zumblick. He is from Tubarão, but his art transcends the limits of Tubarão, reaching Criciúma, all of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and even Europe. We are very happy with the welcome here at the University and to see that the academic community and visitors, upon coming into contact with this exhibition, celebrate happiness. We truly feel at home. Celebrating Willy Zumblick is celebrating life and bringing to light the affectionate memory of great moments of popular chronicles and popular and religious celebrations," commented the director.
According to the coordinator of the Arts and Culture Sector at Unesc, Amalhene Baesso Reddig, known as Lenita, the Cultural Space has hosted exhibitions since 2000 and has already held 155 shows.
"We find a lot of fulfillment and happiness in developing this work. I can say: where there is art, I exist. I seek art and I find it because I am very passionate about it. Receiving today the work of Willy Zumblick, a great artist from Tubarão who produced so many works and left a huge legacy for the world, fills us with enchantment. We are also proud to receive, for this exhibition, an original piece from 1940, loaned by the Mining Union of Criciúma and Region," emphasized the coordinator.
Lenita also thanked the team at the Cultural Foundation of Tubarão for their effort and dedication, and to the journalist from the Communication Agency of Unesc (Agecom), Décio Batista, who is also enchanted and moved by culture and art and recommended this exhibition.
Representing the family was the artist's granddaughter, who is also the Heritage Coordinator at the Foundation, Andréa Zumblick.
"For me, it is emotional. Although I am already involved with culture and the work of exhibitions, it is always a reminder. When they presented the Pau de Fita dance, it brought back many childhood memories because we participated in those events. Our family is very grateful to the people for keeping my grandfather's life and art alive in the memory of the people of Santa Catarina, and for allowing his works displayed here at Unesc to be appreciated. This University is a very special place. I also studied here, so I feel at home," Andréa confessed.
Doctor Benito Gorini Borges also attended the opening of the exhibition. In his spare time, he enjoys painting as a hobby, even exhibiting his works at the Toque de Arte Space.
"This is fantastic. Willy Zumblick is a name that, in the art of the South, is among the greatest, without a doubt. This new exhibition is fantastic. I was really surprised by the quality. We knew his works, both the older and the more recent ones. It is very beautiful. Congratulations to the teams from Unesc and Tubarão for bringing this exhibition to Criciúma," praised Borges.
Visitation
The exhibition is part of the programming of the Unesc Cultural Space "Toque de Arte," a cultural facility recognized and integrated into the State Museum System.
Visitation Period: October 21 to December 14, 2026.
Hours: Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 10 PM and Saturdays from 8 AM to noon.
Location: Unesc Cultural Space "Toque de Arte" (Unesc Administrative Block, Criciúma/SC).
Admission: Free and open to the entire community.
Scheduling and guided visits
School groups and the general community can schedule guided visits through the service channels of the Art and Culture Sector:
Email: cultura@unesc.net
WhatsApp: (48) 3431-2622 / (48) 99644-1986
Instagram: @culturaunesc
Facebook: arteculturaunesc
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