On 6 April 2025, the town of Mação hosted a the Creative Assembly of ITM as part of the Transformative Territories project. Curated by Hugo Gomes from the Instituto Terra e Memória (ITM), the event brought together local residents, artists, researchers and international project partners to explore how artistic practices can actively shape both landscapes and the futures of the territory.
Entitled “Integrated gestures to build landscapes never dreamed of: art, environment and economy in the community’s common home,” the Assembly invited participants to reflect on Mação’s environmental challenges, particularly those posed by recurring wildfires, while drawing on its rich prehistoric heritage as a foundation for renewal. The event was designed as both a space for imagination and a site of concrete action, combining artistic expression with ecological regeneration.
The day unfolded in two main parts. In the morning, participants took part in collective artistic workshops that wove together memory, imagination and territory. These sessions encouraged the sharing of personal and collective experiences, particularly through affective mapping and storytelling exercises. Participants reflected on past events, such as the impact of wildfires, and expressed their hopes for the future. These narratives were then translated into visual and tactile artworks—collaborative murals, land-based installations, and sculptural objects—that gave form to shared visions of care, recovery, and resilience.
In the afternoon, the assembly moved outdoors to the Mação Prehistory Park, where a community planting session took place. Guided by local ecological specialists, participants helped to introduce native plant species in selected areas of the park. This hands-on gesture was both symbolic and practical: a way of grounding artistic and emotional expression in the material reality of ecological stewardship. The planting served as a living extension of the stories and visions shared earlier, demonstrating how artistic imagination can be directly linked to territorial regeneration.
Many local residents expressed a sense of empowerment and connection, highlighting how meaningful it was to see their stories and emotions reflected in shared artistic forms. The event also succeeded in fostering dialogue across disciplines and generations, bringing together artists, scientists, youth and elders in a spirit of mutual learning and collective responsibility.
“It was inspiring,” said one participant, “to see how our stories and hopes could become part of a shared artwork—and then to plant something real for the future.” Another added, “This assembly helped us feel that we are not alone in facing the challenges of our territory.”
Among the key outcomes of the event were the creation of affective maps, which captured the emotional and historical layers of the local landscape, and a series of collaborative artworks, some of which will be displayed in public spaces or included in upcoming exhibitions. The planting session left a tangible legacy in the Prehistory Park, while also marking a symbolic gesture of care and commitment to the future.
In bringing together art, ecology and community action, the Mação assembly demonstrated the transformative potential of creative practice in shaping more just and resilient territories.
The Creative Assembly was made possible thanks to the collaboration of a wide range of local and international partners. The Instituto Terra e Memória coordinated the event, with support from the Museum of Prehistoric Art and Sacred of the Tagus Valley and the Mação Town Hall. The Senior University of Mação played an important role in mobilising elder community members, while partner organisations from the Transformative Territories project—including Art Mill, Campo Adentro, Tavros, Zone Sensible, and COAL—participated in the workshops and exchanges. Local associations, volunteers, students and educators also contributed actively throughout the day.
Read more about the Creative Assembly at the partner’s website : https://www.pacadnetwork.com/itm/
