The Zabalgana civic center in Vitoria-Gasteiz has initiated an innovative project that merges art and social commitment. Titled 'Mentes Creativas, Manos Solidarias' and spearheaded by professional Asun Beltrán de Heredia, the initiative offers artistic workshops accessible to all citizens, regardless of their experience level. One hundred percent of the financial contributions from each workshop will be fully allocated to social causes and vulnerable groups in Álava.
Miren Fernández de Landa, Councilor for Open Government and Civic Centers, highlighted the initiative's value in transforming municipal spaces into hubs for connection, participation, and solidarity. "Civic centers are more than just venues for activities. They are places to learn, connect, and build community. With proposals like this, we add a solidarity dimension that allows a creative activity to become direct aid for those most in need," she stated.
The project is structured around four key pillars: transparency in the destination of contributions, inclusion of necessary materials, creation of a safe and participatory environment, and the collaborative effort of artists and professionals who donate their time and knowledge. Each workshop requires a 10 euro contribution, entirely directed to the selected social cause, with materials provided by various collaborating brands.
The initiative plans to channel support on a rotating basis to social entities rooted in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Álava. For the first quarter, the beneficiary organization will be Berakah. Additionally, a 'Fila Cero' (Zero Row) option is available for those who cannot attend the workshops but wish to contribute financially.
Promoter Asun Beltrán de Heredia emphasized, "Solidarity is the heart of this project. We want people to enjoy a creative experience, meet others, and know that their contribution has a specific social destination."
The program features a blend of artistic disciplines and crafts, including proposals on illustration, paper, color, and creative experimentation. Initial activities include lettering and creative sheet creation on October 16-17, Zentangle on October 30-31, and floral watercolor on November 13-14. Further workshops on creative wrapping, gift cards, and marker drawing are planned for November and December, alongside other solidarity events throughout the year.
Miren Fernández de Landa concluded, "This proposal brings together creativity, participation, and solidarity, offering citizens a different way to enjoy shared time while contributing to improving the lives of others." This pilot program may be extended to other civic centers in the city in the future.
