Art Route in Mendoza: where to discover unique works with a local signature

In the heart of Mendoza city, Ramona is more than just a shop: it’s a small universe where greenery and design coexist with a clear sensibility. The space offers a curated mix of indoor and outdoor plants alongside contemporary design objects, handcrafted pieces and details meant to transform any space into a personal refuge. Everything is designed to be explored slowly: touch, observe, combine and let yourself be carried away by an aesthetic that values simplicity, nature and authenticity.

Rather than simply selling products, Ramona focuses on the idea of better living. The experience feels almost like a consultation: they ask about your home, your routine, the light in your space or whether you have pets, in order to recommend not just a plant or an object, but a combination that fits your daily life. This approach—closer to interior design than traditional retail—makes it one of the most interesting places to discover local design with identity.

Good to know: the name “Ramona” isn’t random—it stems from a search to return to what’s essential, meaningful and rooted in history. This philosophy is reflected in every piece, where the focus isn’t on trends but on choosing objects with character that last over time.

Where: Av. Emilio Civit 546, Mendoza City.

In the heart of Mendoza, Estudio RUFFO & GIAMPOR—run by Emilia Pereyra Giamportone and Mariano Ruffo—is much more than a creative space: it’s a statement of intent. This duo—partners in life and work—has spent over a decade building a universe where art, design and sensitivity coexist organically. Today, that journey takes shape in a shared space that acts as a meeting point between their worlds: wood, aesthetics and experience.

The project feels like a living gallery. On one hand, Mariano works with wood in a deeply conscious way: each piece comes from trees fallen due to the Zonda wind or from cleared vineyards, giving new meaning to materials that have completed their natural cycle. On the other, Emilia brings her vision from the world of lifestyle, fashion and production, activating the space with cultural events and experiences that invite visitors to connect with handmade and authentic creations. The result is a studio where design is not just displayed—it’s lived.

Good to know: like a romantic plot twist, the studio operates on the same estate where the couple got married exactly 10 years ago. Today, they return to their origin point to begin a new project. Coincidence? We don’t think so.

Where: Zanichelli 709, Maipú. Visits by appointment via Instagram DM.

Behind Monsalvo is the creative universe of Milton Monsalvo, an architect and designer who sees furniture as more than functionality—he treats it as an experience. His pieces—chairs, tables and objects—start from a clear idea: the everyday can also be surprising. In his showroom, each element invites you to touch, test and interact, moving away from the cold logic of catalogs toward a more emotional relationship with design.

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His visual language is bold and clear: geometry, noble materials and a strong artistic imprint. Collections like “Platónica” explore pure forms—circles, triangles, lines—translated into furniture with character, designed to stand out in any space. Rather than seeking perfection, Monsalvo embraces expression, debate and authenticity, understanding that design should spark dialogue with those who inhabit it.

Good to know: at Monsalvo, furniture is presented almost like fashion collections: “drops” with their own identity, where each piece belongs to a conceptual universe. An unusual approach in furniture design that makes it dynamic, collectible and, above all, unexpected.

Where: Martín Zapata 109, Mendoza City.

In Mendoza, Aristóbula Casa de Arte is much more than a gallery: it’s an independent space where exhibition and production coexist in real time. Studio and gallery merge to create a direct connection with the artwork, allowing visitors not only to observe but to sense the process, the material and the energy behind each piece. It’s a place that invites you to stay, wander slowly and connect with contemporary art from a different perspective.

Five years after opening, Aristóbula—founded by renowned artist Cecilia Carreras—has established itself as a key reference in the local scene, with an active program that brings together different disciplines, languages and perspectives. Each exhibition completely transforms the space, proposing new ways of inhabiting and experiencing it. No two visits are the same: the space evolves, reinvents itself and remains in constant motion—a true intersection of artists, ideas and sensibilities.

Good to know: with at least three exhibitions per year featuring local artists, Aristóbula functions as a creative refuge where the local scene is activated, connected and grows as a community.

Where: Aristóbulo del Valle 332, Mendoza City.

In a renovated mansion in Mendoza City, Kleur offers more than a store: it’s a sensory experience where design, art and emotion coexist in every room. The space was created by Guadalupe Argerich, who envisioned a place capable of bringing together objects, furniture and unique pieces under one aesthetic logic: to see spaces from a freer, more expressive and deeply personal perspective.

The journey is almost curatorial. Each corner combines works by local artists with unique imported furniture and objects, creating a hybrid between gallery and shop where everything is in dialogue: textures, shapes, materials and, especially, color. It’s no coincidence that “kleur” means color in Dutch. Here, color isn’t decoration—it’s language. It activates the experience and turns each visit into an invitation to rethink how we inhabit everyday life.

Good to know: among its carefully curated selection, Kleur features exclusive pieces by renowned American designer Jonathan Adler, an international reference in contemporary design.

Where: Av. Emilio Civit 199, Mendoza City.

In the heart of Mendoza City’s Quinta Sección neighborhood, Grullar Galería is a truly federal ecosystem that brings together art, photography and design in one place. Set inside a historic house, the experience is designed as a layered journey, where each space offers a different way of engaging with the artwork. From the main gallery to the contemporary photography section, an accessible art shop and a backroom with larger-scale pieces, everything is designed for visitors to explore, discover and—even better—start collecting.

The curatorial approach is dynamic and thoughtful. Every two months, Grullar renews its exhibitions, combining sculpture, visual arts and photography to create a balance between disciplines that keeps the space constantly evolving. Add to that an active agenda of events, openings and gatherings that turn each visit into a social and cultural experience. More than just contemplation, here art is experienced up close, discussed and naturally integrated into everyday life.

Good to know: Grullar breaks with the idea that art is inaccessible. Its small-format shop makes it possible to start collecting without major investments. Taking home an original artwork in Mendoza isn’t a distant luxury—it’s a real possibility.

Where: J. y M. Clark 659, Mendoza City.

In Mendoza, Colbo is much more than a factory—it’s an icon of Argentine design that remains alive, evolving and trendsetting. Founded in the 1950s by architect and ceramicist Colette Boccara, this tableware turned a “technical error” into its greatest virtue: those slightly irregular, organic shapes that are now its signature. Each piece is made from red clay sourced from the Andes, shaped, polished and glazed by hand, preserving its artisanal DNA.

What makes it even more interesting is that the experience goes beyond the table. Today, you can visit the production plant—just minutes from the airport—and witness the entire process, from raw material to final product. A journey that takes you behind the scenes of a brand used in restaurants worldwide and that has achieved something rare: turning an everyday object into a sought-after design piece.

Good to know: the same tableware you can see (and buy) in Mendoza is also part of the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and is sold in its official store.

Where: Pedro Pascual Segura 2640, Las Heras.

Hidden along a quiet street in Chacras de Coria, Chapas de Coria is one of those places that can’t quite be explained—you have to discover it. What was once an old workshop has been transformed into a multi-space full of character, where every object, texture and scent builds an atmosphere that’s hard to replicate. Persian rugs, crystal chandeliers and design pieces coexist with native plants like jarilla shrubs and other nods to the Mendoza landscape, creating a perfect balance between the sophisticated and the wild.

Also of interest: Made in Mendoza: 15 design projects you should know

But beyond its aesthetic, Chapas is also a meeting point. There’s always a candle lit, a mate being shared or a glass of wine ready to accompany conversation. Locals, artists and travelers all converge in this space that feels as intimate as it is open. Behind it all is Juan Segundo, a tireless creator who transforms materials—leather, textiles, flowers—into soulful pieces, with patience and a deeply local sensibility.

Good to know: more than a shop, Chapas works as a kind of creative refuge where anything can happen—from an impromptu conversation to the birth of a new design or landscaping project.

Where: Mitre 1377, Chacras de Coria. Wednesday to Saturday, 5–8pm.

“Cuyo Chic” defines the style of this brand of unique, comfortable garments—full of personality and adaptability—created by Victoria Cucchi. Its designs are rooted in sustainable fashion, with a responsible approach across social, environmental and economic dimensions.

At Capote, you’ll find genderless clothing—loose-fitting pieces with sizing based on their own system. Through ties and fastenings, garments adjust to each body. The color palette leans toward neutral, earthy and natural tones, making the pieces timeless, functional and easy to combine with previous collections.

Good to know: Capote is a slow fashion brand built on the Zero Waste movement, producing no leftover waste. It avoids paper tags and uses 100% of its nationally sourced textiles.

Where: Workshop and showroom at Mitre 1820, Chacras de Coria.

Within Mendoza’s design scene, Agustín Herrera is a recurring name when it comes to authorial tableware. From his workshop, he creates pieces that are now part of the dining experience in some of the province’s top wineries and restaurants. Each plate carries not only flavors but also a material narrative. Everything stems from a clear pursuit: to create warm objects with pure, organic lines where the trace of the hand and the character of the process are visible.

What’s interesting is that his ceramics don’t aim to dominate, but to accompany. His glazes—developed from local minerals and soils—adapt to different aesthetics, from refined concepts to minimalist spaces. In this intersection between nature and technique, Herrera builds a unique identity that turns each piece into something honest, singular and deeply connected to Mendoza’s landscape.

Good to know: in a world dominated by industrial production, Herrera’s process stands out for being entirely handmade: he collects raw materials, develops his own clay bodies and glazes, kneads, shapes, fires and finishes every piece.

Where: Workshop at Prolongación, Nueva Mayorga and Carril Gómez, Maipú.

In Mendoza’s creative circuit, Ana Simionato offers a proposal that steps away from contemporary speed to return to essentials: time, process and material. From her studio in Chacras de Coria—which also functions as a learning and exhibition space—she develops work that crosses ceramics, painting and visual experimentation, always with an intuitive and deeply personal approach. Her language is minimalist yet expressive. In this context, each piece feels meant to be inhabited rather than simply observed.

Today, her studio is a meeting point where her own work, classes and ongoing processes coexist. More than a workshop, it’s a living space where creation is understood as a combination of trial, error and continuous learning.

Good to know: the experience is enhanced by a must-stop: La Cocinita, the gastronomic project by Vero Cooks located within the same space—a café that completes the experience and turns the visit into a full plan.

Where: Aguinaga 1436, Chacras de Coria.

Located inside the Municipal Museum of Modern Art of Mendoza, PIEZA marks a turning point in the local scene: it’s the first art and design shop integrated into a museum in the province. The space works as a natural extension of the exhibition circuit—one you can literally take home in object form. From accessible artworks to identity-driven design pieces, everything is curated with a contemporary and deeply local perspective.

There’s a sense of discovery to the experience. PIEZA brings together Mendoza-based artists and designers in one place, making collecting more accessible without sacrificing quality or criteria. It’s that middle ground between gallery and shop where art stops being purely contemplative and becomes part of everyday life. Ideal for those starting a collection or simply looking for an object with story, meaning and aesthetic value.

Good to know: just steps from Plaza Independencia—one of the city’s busiest spots—you can drop in, visit the current exhibition and leave with a truly special souvenir.

Where: MMAMM, underground level, Plaza Independencia, Mendoza City.

In Mendoza, Verónica Valenti’s universe offers something different: you don’t come to see art—you come to experience it. From her studio in Godoy Cruz, the artist opens her doors to a sensory journey that breaks with traditional exhibition rules. There’s no distance or solemnity here: the experience lasts about an hour and takes place in small groups, almost in secret, allowing for a more direct, intimate and personal connection with each piece.

The space is constantly evolving and conceived as a walk-through environment featuring enamel paintings and sculptures—both her own and by other local artists—that activate all the senses. Some pieces can be touched, others interpreted, and several don’t even have titles until visitors decide to name them. With a drink in hand and guided subtly through the space, art becomes experiential rather than contemplative.

Good to know: one of the key elements of the experience is that the viewer also becomes a creator—you can name untitled works, leaving your own interpretation as part of the exhibition.

Where: Godoy Cruz. Exact address provided upon booking.

In the heart of Chacras de Coria, Estación Paso de los Andes is much more than an old train station—it’s a piece of Mendoza’s memory brought back to life. Once part of the historic Trans-Andean Railway connecting Argentina and Chile, the building was a key hub for decades before falling into disuse. Today, after a full restoration, it has recovered its original essence—woodwork, tracks, signage—and become one of the most attractive places to rediscover local history from a new perspective.

Its transformation into a cultural center has given it a vibrant second life. It now operates as an open space hosting art exhibitions, live music, talks, fairs and even food experiences, with a café that complements the visit. The curatorial approach focuses on accessibility, bringing together emerging and established artists through rotating exhibitions and ongoing activities that encourage repeat visits. The idea is clear: not a static museum, but a living space connecting community, culture and heritage.

Good to know: one of its standout features is its curatorial proposal, which includes works by local contemporary artists available for purchase in accessible formats.

Where: Mitre 1875, Chacras de Coria.