Quito’s El Recreo Shopping Center Transforms Public Spaces Into Artistic Hubs for Emotional Well-Being

By Sophia Martinez, Editor, Entertainment

QUITO, Ecuador — In a bold move to redefine urban spaces as sanctuaries for emotional connection, Ciudad Comercial El Recreo, one of Quito’s largest shopping centers, has launched RecreoSer, a year-long initiative that merges art, psychology and community engagement to foster well-being in the heart of Ecuador’s capital. The project, which debuted in January 2026, is already drawing attention for its innovative approach to blending retail environments with therapeutic experiences, offering visitors a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and connect in a city known for its fast-paced rhythm.

RecreoSer is not just another corporate social responsibility campaign. It is a living, evolving experience designed to transform the shopping center’s public areas into interactive stages for self-expression, emotional exploration, and human connection. From theater workshops led by renowned artists to participatory activities that encourage authentic dialogue, the initiative is challenging traditional notions of what a shopping center can be—shifting from a place of consumption to one of meaningful engagement.

“We’re not just filling space with art,” said Caridad Ponce, co-founder of Trevoa, the Ecuadorian design and communication agency partnering with El Recreo on RecreoSer. “We’re creating points of encounter—spaces where people can step out of their routines and engage with themselves and others in ways that are intentional, creative, and healing.”

The Vision Behind RecreoSer: Art as a Bridge to Emotional Well-Being

Located in the southern district of Quito, Ciudad Comercial El Recreo has long been a commercial and social hub for the city’s residents. With over 200 stores, a cinema, and a family park, the center attracts thousands of visitors daily. Yet, like many urban spaces, it has struggled to offer more than transactional interactions. RecreoSer seeks to change that by integrating art-based interventions into the daily life of the center, turning corridors, plazas, and open areas into canvases for emotional expression.

The initiative was officially unveiled on January 15, 2026, with a public inauguration in the Plaza de los Artistas, a central gathering space within the shopping center. The event featured the premiere of “Mensaje de amor propio” (“Message of Self-Love”), an immersive art installation by Ecuadorian artist and designer José Manosalvas. Known for his work at the intersection of digital and handcrafted art, Manosalvas has built a reputation for projects that explore spirituality, personal transformation, and symbolic storytelling. His installation for RecreoSer invites visitors to engage in a process of introspection, using visual and tactile elements to reflect on self-acceptance and emotional resilience.

Manosalvas, who has exhibited his work in Ecuador and internationally, described the project as a response to the emotional toll of modern life. “In a world where we’re constantly bombarded by stimuli, we’ve lost the ability to listen—to ourselves and to each other,” he said in a statement provided to local media. “This installation is a call to slow down, to reconnect with our inner voices, and to remember that self-love is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.”

A Year-Long Journey of Activities and Workshops

RecreoSer is structured as a year-long experience, with a rotating calendar of activities designed to engage visitors of all ages. The programming is divided into three core pillars: artistic expression, emotional exploration, and community connection. Each month, new workshops, performances, and interactive installations are introduced, ensuring that the initiative remains dynamic and accessible.

In April 2026, the focus shifted to “Punto de encuentro, el arte de relacionarse” (“Meeting Point: The Art of Relating”), a phase dedicated to fostering authentic human connections. The activities, held in the Family Park area of the shopping center, are free and open to the public, with no prior registration required for most events. Highlights from the April lineup include:

• Punto de encuentro (April 24, 5:00 PM): A participatory activity where attendees use suggestive cards to spark conversations in small groups. The goal is to break down social barriers and encourage genuine dialogue, allowing participants to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
• Teatro terapéutico (April 25–26, 4:00 PM): A two-day workshop led by Christoph Baumann, a well-known Ecuadorian actor, and María Elena Pérez, a specialist from Trevoa. The session combines theatrical techniques with emotional therapy, guiding participants through exercises that explore vulnerability, self-expression, and the release of internal tensions. The workshop is designed to be intimate and inclusive, welcoming both experienced performers and first-time participants.

In addition to these public events, RecreoSer offers private workshops on topics such as humanistic psychotherapy, grounding techniques, somatic practices, and yoga. These sessions, led by certified professionals, require advance registration but are offered free of charge, reflecting the initiative’s commitment to accessibility.

Why a Shopping Center? The Role of Public Spaces in Emotional Health

The decision to launch RecreoSer in a shopping center may seem unconventional, but it reflects a growing recognition of the role that public spaces play in mental health. According to a 2022 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), urban environments that prioritize social interaction, green spaces, and cultural activities can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Shopping centers, as high-traffic communal hubs, are uniquely positioned to serve as platforms for such initiatives.

“Shopping centers are often seen as places of consumption, but they’re also gathering places,” said Marianela Berrazueta, General Administrator of Ciudad Comercial El Recreo, in a press release announcing the initiative. “With RecreoSer, we’re reimagining what it means to visit a shopping center. It’s not just about shopping—it’s about connecting, creating, and caring for one another.”

The initiative also arrives at a time when Ecuador, like many countries, is grappling with the mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2023 study by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) found that depression and anxiety rates in Latin America increased by 30% to 40% during the pandemic, with young people and urban populations among the most affected. In Quito, where access to mental health services remains limited, community-based programs like RecreoSer are filling a critical gap by offering low-barrier, stigma-free opportunities for emotional support.

The Artists and Experts Behind RecreoSer

RecreoSer is the result of a collaboration between Ciudad Comercial El Recreo and Trevoa, a Quito-based agency specializing in communication, design, and social impact projects. Founded in 2015, Trevoa has worked with a range of clients, from nonprofits to corporate brands, to develop initiatives that prioritize human connection and emotional well-being. For RecreoSer, the agency has assembled a team of artists, therapists, and facilitators, each bringing a unique perspective to the project.

• Caridad Ponce: Co-founder of Trevoa and the driving force behind RecreoSer’s conceptual development. Ponce has spent over a decade working at the intersection of design, psychology, and community engagement, with a focus on creating spaces that foster emotional resilience.
• José Manosalvas: The Ecuadorian artist and designer behind “Mensaje de amor propio.” Manosalvas’ work often explores the relationship between technology, spirituality, and personal growth, and he has been recognized for his ability to make complex emotional themes accessible through art.
• Christoph Baumann: A veteran actor and theater director with extensive experience in therapeutic performance. Baumann’s workshops are designed to assist participants explore their emotions through movement, voice, and storytelling.
• María Elena Pérez: A specialist in emotional well-being and somatic therapy, Pérez works with Trevoa to develop workshops that integrate body-based practices with psychological support.

What’s Next for RecreoSer?

As RecreoSer enters its fifth month, the initiative shows no signs of slowing down. The May 2026 schedule, which has not yet been publicly released, is expected to include music therapy sessions, collaborative mural projects, and workshops on mindfulness and digital detox. The shopping center has also hinted at plans to expand the program’s reach by partnering with local schools and community organizations, ensuring that the benefits of RecreoSer extend beyond its physical walls.

For Quito’s residents, RecreoSer offers more than just a series of events—it represents a shift in how public spaces are perceived and used. In a city where the pace of life can feel overwhelming, the initiative provides a much-needed reminder that art, connection, and emotional well-being are not luxuries, but essential components of a healthy community.

“What we have is just the beginning,” said Ponce. “Our hope is that RecreoSer will inspire other spaces—shopping centers, parks, even offices—to think differently about how they can support the emotional needs of the people who use them. Given that at the end of the day, we all demand spaces where we can be seen, heard, and cared for.”

Key Takeaways

• RecreoSer is a year-long initiative launched by Ciudad Comercial El Recreo in Quito, Ecuador, that uses art and therapeutic activities to promote emotional well-being.
• The project transforms the shopping center’s public spaces into interactive hubs for self-expression, connection, and healing, with free workshops and installations open to the public.
• April 2026 activities include a participatory dialogue session (“Punto de encuentro”) and a therapeutic theater workshop led by actor Christoph Baumann and Trevoa specialist María Elena Pérez.
• The initiative is a collaboration between Ciudad Comercial El Recreo and Trevoa, a Quito-based agency specializing in communication and social impact projects.
• RecreoSer reflects a growing recognition of the role that public spaces can play in supporting mental health, particularly in urban environments where access to emotional support is limited.

How to Participate

Most RecreoSer activities are free and open to the public, with no prior registration required. Workshops and events are held in the Family Park and Plaza de los Artistas areas of Ciudad Comercial El Recreo, located in the southern district of Quito. For updates on upcoming activities, visitors can follow the shopping center’s official Instagram account or check the El Recreo website.

For those interested in the private workshops, advance registration is required and can be completed through Trevoa’s website.

What’s Next?

The next confirmed RecreoSer event is scheduled for May 2026, with details expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The initiative’s organizers have indicated that the May lineup will focus on music therapy and collaborative art projects, continuing the theme of using creative expression as a tool for emotional healing.

Have you participated in RecreoSer or a similar initiative? Share your experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow World Today Journal for more stories on how art and community are transforming public spaces around the world.