The temporary exhibitions at Ca l’Arenas seek to disseminate the art collection that the Museum of Mataró conserves and keeps watch over through a rotating selection of its most prominent pieces, including paintings from the Renaissance and Baroque period; Catalan painting from the 19th and 20th centuries, with works by Rusiñol, Llimona and Dalí, among others; the complete collection of Goya’s engravings from the 1937 edition; and the contemporary and local art collection. The holdings particularly showcase the works of the Arenas i Clavell brothers; the ground-floor exhibition space is divided into different galleries that conserve the house’s original structure and explain the legacy that Jordi Arenas left to the city of Mataró.
Jaume Arenas (Mataró, 1918-1983) excelled in the technique of watercolour, while his brothers, Jordi Arenas (Mataró, 1920-1988), stood out in portraiture and landscapes. Their house was a gathering point for lively discussions and, even more importantly, an art school for many of the city’s artists.
Designed as a dynamic, multipurpose art centre, the house also hosts a programme of cultural activities, including colloquia, lectures, concerts, educational workshops and family-friendly events.