Encounters: curated moments

Encounters. To connect. Foster Community and advocate for contemporary art.

In a time when attention is scattered and experiences feel increasingly transactional, there is something quietly radical about creating space for presence. VELVENOIR’s Encounter Series was born from this need—for moments that connect, challenge, and imply inspire people through the art, the conversation, the food, drinks and overall experience. Rooted in contemporary art and expanding into architecture, design, performance, and conversation, the series is less an event than a curated cultural dialogue. 

What inspired the Art Encounter Series?

After years of working with collectors, hoteliers, and developers across the art world, I started to feel a disconnect. So many events had become fast-paced and transactional—lacking soul. I craved something slower, more personal. Something that honours the artwork, the artist, and the people experiencing it.

Alexandra, together with Johanna hosted the first Encounter Series as an antidote. A space where contemporary art is not just seen, but felt. Where scent, music, conversation, and cuisine come together to create a deeper, more sensorial connection. We hosted the first edition in 2024 at the CCA Andratx, Mallorca. Now Alexandra and her team, are developing the encounter series for 2026. 

What makes this event different from other art-focused gatherings?


It’s not an art fair. It’s not an opening. It’s something else entirely. We’ve curated museum-level works—from Thomas Ruff to Jorinde Voigt, Pia Fries, Hayv Kahraman, and others—but placed them within a setting that touches all the senses. The idea is to break down the distance between the viewer and the work. To feel it. To taste it. To hear it.

Every encounter is limited, private, and invitation-only. We’re not interested in scale—we’re interested in depth.

“This was never about another event. It was about creating a space that touches something deeper—an experience you don’t just attend, but can´t forget."

Can you walk us through the experience?


Guests begin with a Collector Preview Cocktail on Thursday evening: signature drinks, live music, a bespoke soundscape by DJ Jez Pereira, and a preview of the collection. The atmosphere is refined but relaxed—designed for true engagement.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, we host two intimate Art Dinner Experiences. Guests are seated among the artworks. Each course is inspired by a specific piece and created by Michelin-starred chef Maria Solivellas, paired with local wines from Vins Miquel Gelabert. During dinner, a violinist and cellist interpret select artworks through live performance.

There’s a scent created for the series. Collectible pieces curated from Kaia and Mezza-Maiso. An exclusive art carpet designed by Jorinde Voigt. And even the tableware—handmade by Sara Linder Forrer—is part of the narrative. Nothing is generic. Everything is curated.

 

Why Mallorca?

Mallorca has a deep creative energy—its light, its nature, its stillness. Johanna lives there, and I’ve spent so much time on the island that it felt natural. The location CCA Andratx provides the perfect contrast: raw Mediterranean beauty meets intellectual clarity. It’s not about spectacle, it’s about connection.

What’s the intention behind the series?

We want to offer an alternative. A place where art is not consumed—but experienced. Where collecting feels soulful again. Where people come together—not to transact, but to connect.

There’s a lot of talk in the art world about slowing down. But very few experiences are built for it. This series is.

How are artists and collectors responding?

It’s been overwhelming—in the best way. Artists, and Galleries are excited to show their work in this kind of setting. And collectors are ready for something meaningful. We’re not chasing press. We’re not selling mass tickets. This is about relationships—between art, the invited people, and the memory created together. 

Strategic Impact

 

 

Rather than mimic the overstimulation of large-scale fairs, the Encounter Series are created for a slower and more profound rhythm. Every guest was personally invited. Every object, sound, and scent was intentional. The outcome was more than an event—it was a living collection of memories, emotions, and connections.

  • Collector Engagement: Reframed the collecting process as an embodied experience

  • Brand Positioning: Incorporated 1800 Tequilla, local wineries and cultural institutions on the map. 

  • Artist Advocacy: Elevated the role of artists beyond the gallery—into performance, interpretation, and object design

  • Cultural Diplomacy: Showcased Mallorca’s creative spirit through local partnerships, cuisine, and hospitality

  • Legacy Thinking: Pioneered a format for future cultural investment and collector relationship-building

The Invitation

 

At its core, the VELVENOIR Encounter Series is about generosity: of thought, of space, of creative exchange. For brands and collaborators, it offers a rare opportunity to be part of something quieter, deeper, and longer-lasting than a campaign. It’s not a showcase—it’s a shared ethos. 

If you are a brand or institution exploring how to engage with culture as dialogue—VELVENOIR welcomes the conversation. 

“This is not about marketing,” says Schafer. “It’s about meaning. That’s what stays with people, long after they have joined us and our partners at the dinner.” 

The upcoming series will unfold across selected locations in Europe, each chosen for its architectural relevance and atmosphere. Every encounter will revolve around a core curatorial narrative—developed by art curators part oft he VELVENOIR collective in collaboration with visual artists and thinkers from the global contemporary art scene. 

 

What to expect: 

_Immersive art installations and curated collections 
_Artist talks and intimate collector conversations 
_Collaborative table settings with design and culinary artists 
_Curated sound, scent, and spatial experiences 
_Editorial content, documentation, and limited-edition publications 

 

These encounters are not open events. They are carefully built environments for dialogue—between people, between disciplines, and between generations. 

 

Partner with Us 

The VELVENOIR Encounter Series 2026 is now in development. 
Selected partnerships are being explored for upcoming locations. 

Contact: alexandra@velvenoir.com 
www.velvenoir.com

 

 

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