On Canopus Studio and redefining artistic spaces
Catarina Alexandre, Founder of Canopus Studio
For Catarina Alexandre, the journey of creating Canopus Studio was rooted in more than just organising events. It was about building a creative home for people looking to connect through art. The idea had been forming for years in her mind, long before she moved to Luxembourg and realised there was a gap in the city’s cultural scene.
With opportunities in the museum and gallery world limited by language barriers, Catarina decided to take control of her own path. That spirit of independence and intention extended to the very name of Canopus Studio, which carried deep personal meaning for her. “Canopus is the brightest star of the Cassiopeia constellation. And I liked it because as I'm called Catarina, it’s like the sea of the sea of the sea.”
Canopus Studio Event
Art as a Social Connector
Beyond fostering creativity, Canopus Studio became a space where people could form real friendships. “You move to these big cities where people are always in a rush or they are worried about their corporate jobs,” Catarina explains. “If you don’t work within the corporate sector, or if you just don’t really want to hang out with your corporate colleagues, you have some trouble meeting friends.”
She wanted to recreate the kind of effortless connection people experience as children, when making friends and expressing creativity felt natural. "When we're kids, it's so easy to make friendships because we're not afraid of judgment. You could be in a park or a café, start playing with another child, and never see them again—but in that moment, you made a connection, free of expectation or pressure."
Her events, ranging from painting workshops to sculpting and collage nights, offered a relaxed, judgment-free environment. And over time, Canopus Studio became a gathering place for people from all walks of life, uniting individuals across industries, backgrounds, and artistic abilities.
Catarina’s Drink and Draw Club
The Evolution of Canopus Studio
Now, as Catarina moves to Paris, she is taking Canopus Studio into a new phase. “Paris has always been my dream, so I didn’t even think twice.”
While the Luxembourg events focused on creative workshops, she sees Paris as an opportunity to expand the concept into deeper cultural and philosophical discussions. “At some point, I felt stuck in the creative aspect. I wanted to explore something more reflective and intellectual.”
This shift has led to the launch of Salon Moderne, a modern reimagining of the intellectual salons of the past. “You know the films set in the 19th and 20th centuries, where men gather in clubs, drinking, smoking and debating politics, art and history? That’s what I want to create but for the modern woman.”
The salon will offer a space for women to gather and engage in meaningful conversations on art, culture, and society. “We already live in a world where we are constantly hearing men’s opinions. I want to create a space just for us.”
For those outside of Paris, Canopus Studio has also introduced Le Grand Club Littéraire, a book club that carries the same spirit of conversation and cultural exchange. “I love novels, I’m a huge fan of Agatha Christie, but I also enjoy books that are more substantial, that challenge you to think.”
This evolution signals Catarina’s vision for Canopus Studio as more than just an events platform—it is a growing movement for women to engage meaningfully with art, ideas, and one another.
The Last Soirée x Canopus Studio
Before fully settling in Paris, Catarina is already making her mark on London with an exciting collaboration that reflects Canopus Studio’s mission of blending art, culture, and connection.
On March 29 and 30, 2025, Canopus Studio is partnering with The Last Soirée for a two-day event celebrating the intersection of fashion and art.
The event kicks off on Saturday at The Curator’s Atelier at the Royal Academy of Arts, where guests will sketch iconic style moments over lunch. The following day, The Curator’s Lounge will transform art into fashion at a style-inspired cocktail hour.
With Canopus Studio’s next chapter on the horizon, Catarina’s passion remains unchanged. “I think that, in the end, it’s all about sharing a moment with other people, having a conversation, creating something, and just enjoying that time together.”
Whether through intimate salons in Paris, a growing literary network, or dynamic collaborations, Canopus Studio continues to create spaces where creativity finds a home.
