Daegal Godinho stands on the balcao of a massive old house, built more than two centuries ago, with a welcoming smile. Spotty the dog wanders around, running up and down the steps to sniff visitors. Inside the grand Godinho mansion is a chapel, long corridors covered in art and a little café in the back that serves up delicious chunky cheesy sandwiches and decadent shakes. At Majorda, this Godinho has been at the forefront of the art and creative culture movement.
This is Carpe Diem Art and Learning Centre, in the heart of Majorda, not too far from the beach and the hotels that dot its landscape. In here you will find a variety of artwork, a dash of classical, a splash of modern, and then some. In the little shop adjacent to the café you’ll also find a bit of kitsch. Outside, near the entrance, a board announces the different workshops being held at Carpe Diem. There’s a self-defense workshop, a series of nutritional seminars and of course, the mandatory art and dance classes.
It’s been just under three years since Carpe Diem came to life; their first exhibition was in November 2012. “It was a learning curve for me when we just started. I didn’t know how one sources art, didn’t know the market, I didn’t have a client database. It was quite a challenge. Then Rajendra Usapkar came forth and provided art work for a show where the money went to a charity. We began that way. The objective wasn’t the earning; we just needed to get the word out,” says Daegal.
It’s a challenge to keep yourself in the game as an individual art gallery, not backed by big money or a corporate. So, Daegal decided to set the stage for regular workshops. “We did that and made a little money from the rental. There were a few artists, from Mumbai, the UK and Goa, who exhibited their work. The first year or so was tough. Not every was keen on exhibiting in South Goa. It was an untapped market and an unknown one. Daegal and Carpe Diem persevered.
In January 2014, well-known Goan artists Mohan Naik’s exhibition catapulted Carpe Diem to a higher level. “We managed to sell about 35-odd paintings. Soon, other artists began to show interest,” Daegal says. 2014 was a good year, it was where Carpe Diem grew in strength. More exhibitions and quite a few heavy duty workshops followed.
Now it’s in expansion mode. The art shop is set up and Daegal is quite particular about the products being sold there. “If your work is unique, there’s a space for you. We have little pieces of art, some ceramic products. In fact, we also encourage people to buy a ceramic product and paint it while eating at the café,” Daegal explains. In fact, the art store is not the only artisanal space around. Cherry Tomato, the popular eating joint in Colva, has taken over the café space and created a line of sandwiches and more. It’s a lovely space, where you’re surrounded by art and munching down on a delightful club sandwich. Nearby, there’s space for a ceramic studio. It’s almost done. Soon, Ramdas Ghadekar will take over the studio and the kiln and hold workshops on ceramic art. The space beyond can hold a band or a group of artistes and be a great setting for a musical evening.
If one took one look at Daegal Godinho’s past, they would have raised an eyebrow to his current status as purveyor of the arts in South Goa. He worked at an NGO, handled all their tech work and grew into a techie, all the while doing a stint with the Mustard Seeds Art Company. Then he went to the Middle East where he added more tech experience to his resume. Now, he stands tall in South Goa, on his balcao with that welcoming smile. Behind him, there an art and learning centre that holds a lot of promise. Carpe Diem for him isn't just a name it seems, it's a mantra!
