Two sisters have transformed their family’s retail legacy into a large art supply store with classes and an exhibition space
If you love art, colour, design, beautiful stationery, tools for visual creation, and artist materials of all kinds, in all shapes and sizes, you’re in luck. In the central Algarve is a shining and sprawling new artist’s Mecca.
Be your medium paint, pen and ink, pencil, pastel, crayon, marker, chalk, spray paint, art knife, etc., you will be in your own private paradise.
When you first set foot in Arco Iris you will be blown away by its sheer size and the variety of inventory.
You will be greeted by a friendly salesperson, but you can feel free to walk around and roam the world of art supplies.
The name Arco Iris is appropriate, because it means ‘rainbow’ in Portuguese. I quickly assumed it was owned by a big company, but then, to my delight, I learned that it’s owned and operated by two sisters who grew up in the hills of the western Algarve, in Monchique.
In this era of corporate mergers and retail chains, it’s refreshing to see Algarve natives open an exciting and innovative new retail shop.
The story began about 40 years ago, when the parents of Sofia and Ana Carmo opened a stationery and tobacco shop in Monchique. Business was good, and they were entrepreneurial.
Before long they owned three such shops. Soon, they expanded into the city of Portimão and eventually the Aqua Shopping Centre.
By then, the two daughters were old enough to work with their parents in the Portimão shops. “Our stationery customers were often requesting more art supplies,” Sofia recalled. “My sister and I saw an opportunity to expand. We kept adding different kinds.”
One day, Sofia met a salesman from Portugal’s largest art supply producer and distributor, Quadrimóvel. She began dreaming of a much bigger store with a very thorough line of inventory.
She called the salesman, and her dream became within reach. Arco Iris and Quadrimóvel formed a partnership. Soon, their big shop Arco Iris would be located in the Sudoeste Retail Park off the A22 in Alcantarilha.
Stocked with a plethora of art supplies, Sofia and Ana would now rock the Algarve art scene. They could be satisfied with the great shop they achieved. But for them, that wasn’t enough.
Next, they planned a well-equipped classroom so art teachers and students could gather and create art together.
“We don’t charge for the use of the classroom,” said Sofia. “It brings inspired people in here to make art so it’s a win-win for the teachers, students, and our store. It’s a beautiful relationship.”
The multiple classes currently cover drawing, painting with acrylics, painting with oils, and working with pastels.
Now, Arco Iris was a truly innovative art supply store. You might think, what else could they do? Never resting on their laurels, Sofia and Ana decided to build a large upper loft with an attractive gallery space for art exhibitions.
“Many of our customers are professional artists and they know exactly what they need.” said Sofia.
“Other customers enjoy art as a relaxing hobby. I know doctors and lawyers who make art as a way to escape from the daily pressure. It’s a creative way to meditate. Art is beauty and we’re happy to be helping with the creation of it in the Algarve.”
Arco Iris is open seven days a week from 10am to 9pm. The staff is always available to help customers with choosing the right paints, brushes, canvas, paper, and much more.
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