Explore Portugal like never before with the “Authentic Portugal” book series – this is how the national publication, Expresso, presents its latest exclusive project with the weekly newspaper.

Last weekend, the country tour, divided into three volumes, featured “Authentic Portugal—South and Islands.” The “Walks with Art” section first highlights “Sculpting Smiles.”

“The basalt sculptures of Helena Amaral’s Sorrisos de Pedra project, promoted by the MiratecArts association, are already an itinerary on the island of Pico,” notes the publication, adding that ”by discovering it, you also get to know this Azorean island better.”

“The fact that Expresso has placed the island of Pico first as an art walk, in its trails and other places, means that the mountainous island has been placed on the national cultural route through Sorrisos de Pedra, which is born from the mountain,” says artist Helena Amaral. “The project is intimate and solitary, but despite this they make those who pass through the island fall in love with them, and they are appreciated and valued outside the island, which makes me very happy, because each sculpture enchants others.”

Helena Amaral’s Sorrisos de Pedra project is celebrating its 10th anniversary this April since it began with MiratecArts. In addition to the tour of the island of Pico, with more than 250 sculptures spread over 40 locations, there is also a traveling exhibition of sculptures, accompanied by photographs by Pedro Silva. The sculptures can also be found in private gardens throughout Portugal and other countries.

From MiratecArts Press Release.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks the Luso-American Education Foundation for their support.