Francisco Urbano is a founder of "L’ agenzia di arte" a group of artists who uses the internet as an opening for the global world. An acknowledgment that also materializes through exhibitions in various galleries and renowned spaces nationally and internationally.

How it arises the idea of ​​creating the "L'agenzia di arte"?
Francisco Urbano: Thanks to a group of Italian artists who created a page called "balance and art," which is a very comprehensive site, because it has artist worldwide. I was part of it at the invitation of colleagues and in 2007 I had the idea to create greater interaction with Portuguese and foreign artists hence the "L’ agenzia di arte" which quickly had a fantastic membership. We have over 600 artists from all continents, of which 80% are foreigners, this allows us to bring to Portugal artists from other parts of the world and the Portuguese can take their art through the world, showing it to people to which it would be almost impossible to reach. We took advantage of all the synergies and all this took a very professional character that required a good deal of my time. Right now we have an annual agenda, religiously in September 1st is placed the program for the following year and thus help to get to know the artists and that their works are placed in good locations, nobles even that help them in terms of curriculum

How you select the artists? There is a panel that chooses?
FU: You know, the group was created and is run by artists for artists, I do not like to criticize the work of others, from the moment on they have an artistic career are welcome, if you  like an artist or not depends on the observer. As an artist I have my own language, so others and we have to respect each others' work without the critical eye among us. There is not a selection; provided they have a remarkable career can join. We have some emerging, with them you have to be a little more careful because you need to realize if they want to pursue this career, or if it is just to sell a canvas or two and that is not an artist.

How you scheduled the exhibitions?
FU: In 2012 we started by Barcelona went to Coimbra, currently we are in Madeira and we will be present in Porto, on October 13th, at Casa Abel Salazar. Every year we are careful to choose the galleries, or spaces that strive for quality, which could add something to the careers of artists and we do not show our work in places that do not have this profile.

What are the new features that you have prepared for next year?
FU: Next year we will start an exhibition at gallery Visionarte in Barcelona and will be present in Figueira da Foz, at the 18th international exhibition of Vendas Novas and the House of Culture of Santa Cruz.

The focus from the beginning has always been a site online, why?
FU: Because is a recent tool for everyone, for society in general. It has been utilized in a positive way by either the artists to disseminate their work, either for collectors to know them. It's brutal, fantastic, because it allows us global exposure and we reached all around the world.