We announce the results of the 2026 Building Arts Grants call, aimed at providing practical training for apprentices under the guidance of highly regarded masters of traditional building.
This initiative aims to support the transmission of traditional building trades, encourage generational continuity, and promote knowledge related to the preservation of the built heritage.
Following the evaluation of the applications received —all of them of high quality and representing a wide range of profiles—, the following grants have been awarded:
Donald Gray Building Arts Grant
Training with master thatcher Manuel Monteserín
The selected candidate is David Álvarez Fernández (Villasinde, León, 32 years old).
David has experience in stone restoration, timber roofing, as well as in heritage preservation work, including interventions at the castles of Vega de Valcarce and Balboa. He has also been involved in maintenance work in the surrounding landscape and along the Camino de Santiago. His profile stands out for his strong connection to the territory where Manuel Monteserín carries out his work, as well as for his commitment to the preservation of pallozas and other forms of vernacular architecture.
Fundación Fuentes Dutor Training Grant
Training with Cantería Jaurrieta
The selected candidate is Wagner Carrión (Pamplona, 26 years old).
Wagner received training in stonemasonry at the Pamplona Municipal Workshop School, which he has complemented with professional experience at Construcciones Leache, S.L., a company specialized in the restoration of historic heritage. He has taken part in projects such as the restoration of the medieval bridge of Monreal and the Church of San Salvador in Sangüesa. His profile combines technical training with hands-on experience on site and in the workshop.
Fundación Gondra Barandiarán Training Grant
Training with master glass artist Mikel Delika
The selected candidate is Itziar Méndez (Ávila, 21 years old).
Itziar completed her Arts Baccalaureate and a Higher Vocational Diploma in Artistic Glass at the School of Art in León. She has further developed her training through experience in specialized workshops such as Vidrieras Vitrex and through an Erasmus placement at the Gustav Van Treeck workshop (Munich), where she expanded her knowledge of stained glass and mosaic. Her profile combines artistic sensitivity, technical experience in working with glass, and a clear motivation to continue developing in the field of stained glass.
The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation would like to thank all applicants for their interest and for the effort devoted to preparing their submissions, and to acknowledge the high quality of the proposals received.
These grants have been made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Fundación Fuentes Dutor, and the Fundación Gondra Barandiarán, with the collaboration of INTBAU España.
