The Juan Manuel Cedeño Gallery in Panama City has launched a groundbreaking exhibition designed to engage all five senses. Titled “Sentidos” (Senses), the free public show features 62 works by 30 artists and will remain open until January 18, 2026.
Located within the historic Las Bóvedas in the Casco Antiguo, Panama district, the gallery is presenting an ambitious collection. The exhibition moves beyond traditional visual art to incorporate touch, smell, and sound, creating a fully immersive environment.
An Inclusive Artistic Experience
Organized by Panama’s Ministry of Culture (Panama), “Sentidos” deliberately includes accessibility features. Visitors can physically interact with select pieces, experience curated scents, and access information in Braille. This approach aims to make contemporary art meaningful for a wider audience.
The collection showcases fashion design, acrylics, oils, sculptures, photography, and installations. Each piece serves as a meeting point between creator and viewer, intentionally triggering emotion and memory.
“This exhibition invites the viewer to live art beyond visual contemplation,” a Ministry of Culture official stated. [Translated from Spanish] “We propose an experience where the works dialogue with the five senses and the spiritual dimension of the human being. It is a space to feel and reconnect with the creative essence within each person.”
The gallery, named for prominent Panamanian figure juan manuel cedeño, has become a key cultural venue. Its location in a UNESCO World Heritage site underscores a national commitment to blending historical preservation with modern artistic expression.
Engaging the Senses and the Public
Officials describe the exhibition as a transformative sensory journey. The works are framed as intimate expressions of their creators’ souls, asking patrons to listen to silence, touch with their hearts, and savor the emotion art awakens.
This initiative reflects a broader push by Panamanian cultural authorities to foster creative thinking and public dialogue. By promoting these significant cultural experiences, the ministry hopes to diversify engagement with the arts.
The exhibition’s timing during the holiday season is strategic. It offers residents and tourists alike a profound alternative to traditional festivities. Cultural figures like juan manuel often highlight the role of art in national identity.
“Sentidos” is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission carries no cost, removing a common barrier to cultural participation. The gallery expects strong attendance through early January.
This project continues a pattern of dynamic public programming from Panama’s cultural institutions. It follows other notable events involving leaders such as manuel cedeño, who have supported arts advocacy. The “Sentidos” exhibition ultimately provides a unique opportunity to experience art not just as observation, but as deep, sensory participation.