"AQUI HÁ GATO!"
The "AQUI HÁ GATO!" originates from the collection of Maria Adelaide dos Santos Cruz Ferreira (1937–2022), a native of Foz do Arelho. Although we do not have more biographical information about the collector, we know that the set was donated to the House-Museum, where it became part of its heritage and accessible to the public.
The collection allows you to know a diverse set of objects and is a starting point to address topics such as memory, collecting, animal representation and the relationship between people and cultural heritage.
And you, how many cats can you find?
A collection to discover
Cats are present in different spaces of the House-Museum, among furniture, objects and other elements of the house. Its distribution invites visitors to observe carefully, look for the pieces and discover different forms of representation.
This dimension of discovery contributes to making each visit a participatory experience. Some pieces stand out immediately; others require a closer look. For children, the collection can be explored through search, comparison and identification activities, stimulating curiosity and attention to detail.
Cats in art and culture
The figure of the cat is present in different historical periods and forms of artistic expression. It appears in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, literature and decorative arts, revealing the diversity of interpretations and meanings associated with these animals.
Cats also integrate collections from museums and cultural institutions in several countries. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York brings together works in which cats play an important role, as do other museums and projects dedicated to the relationship between animals, art, history and culture.
The HERE IS CAT! is inserted in this context from a private collection, valuing the objects that constitute it and the issues that may raise. Through it, the House-Museum seeks to promote interest in art history, collecting and the different ways in which animals are represented and integrated into everyday life.
A collection that brings culture closer together, community and animal welfare.
COLECTION · CASA-MUSEU JAIME UMBELINO
The collection of Maria Adelaide
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The collection of cat figures by Maria Adelaide dos Santos Cruz Ferreira (1937–2022), born in Foz do Arelho, brings together pieces of different shapes and materials. Donated to Casa-Museu Jaime Umbelino, today it is part of its heritage and allows you to discover different representations of these animals.
More than decorative objects, these pieces are a starting point for exploring collectionism, material culture and the relationship between people and animals.
KNOWLEDGE · FAMILY · EDUCATION
How many cats can you find?
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Cats are part of the experience of visiting the House-Museum. Distributed by the different spaces, they invite visitors to observe carefully, discover details and find pieces that can go unnoticed at first glance.
For children, the collection offers an opportunity to turn the visit into a small adventure of discovery. Searching for cats, comparing shapes and choosing a favorite are simple ways to stimulate curiosity and look at heritage in a participatory way.
ART · COMMUNITY · ANIMAL WELFARE
A collection that inspires new relationships
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Cats have inspired artists, writers, illustrators and collectors throughout history. Its presence in international museums and collections reveals the link between animals, art and culture.
AQUI HÁ GATO! intends to start from this collection to develop educational activities, artistic projects and collaborations with the community and animal protection entities. We want to promote knowledge, responsible adoption and respect for animal welfare, creating new opportunities to learn, participate and care.
Mission and activities
HERE HÁ GATO! integrates the mission of Casa-Museu Jaime Umbelino to preserve, value and disseminate heritage, promoting access to culture and community participation.The collection is a resource for the development of artistic, educational and cultural activities aimed at different audiences. Among the planned initiatives are exhibitions, guided visits, workshops, activities for families and schools, photography projects, meetings and collaborations with artists, associations, educational institutions and entities related to animal protection.These activities aim to stimulate observation, creativity and knowledge, as well as promote reflection on the relationship between people and animals, the responsibility to care for and protect and the importance of animal welfare.The House-Museum also intends to use the collection as a starting point to create projects that bring the heritage closer to the community and establish relationships between art, education, civic participation and social intervention.The collection is thus simultaneously a heritage set to preserve, an educational resource and an opportunity to develop new forms of cultural participation.Discover, know, create and care. This is the purpose of HERE IS CAT!
Jaime Umbelino House-Museum · CEF
Timetable
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Wednesday to Sunday 11:00–13:00 14:00–19:00
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Visits by appointment.