AIR: James Michael Maynard

Name: James Michael Maynard
Place of residence: USA/ traveling
Occupation: Aspiring writer and musician
Age: 24
Met in: Fondation ArteSumapaz, Colombia / October 2019
Contact: jamesmayn32@gmail.com

Editor’s note: This interview is part of an ongoing series of interviews by Gabriel Kreuzer, on his travels through South America. Photo by Gabriel Kreuzer.

Gabriel Kreuzer (GK): If you had the free choice, who would you like to have dinner with?

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The poetic act of the dance of life

The Artist in search of Totality

When the seed of my father fertilized my mother’s egg, a new organism was born. Initially a Stem Cell; a living being, sacred, made up of atoms as old as the Universe itself and with all the genetic information necessary to make me who I am. This first cell reproduced, multiplying and creating new cells in a magical alchemical process of mitosis.

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Announcing volunteer/residency opportunities

As we enter our seventh month here at ArteSumapaz, we are so grateful for the many volunteers who have shared their time and energy with us. Volunteerism wasn’t really a part of our dream to begin with, but a chance meeting with someone who had participated with the volunteer platform Workaway turned us on to the possibilities; and since then, we’ve had over 30 volunteers from all around the world!

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Photos from Joseph Puglisi

Recent photos from resident/volunteer, Joseph Puglisi, in August-September 2019. Many of Joseph’s photos are used throughout this site (thank you, Joseph!).

Ric Dragon leading drawing workshop

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A Chilean Periodibujante in residency

I had been traveling for 10 months when I arrived at ArteSumapaz, accompanied by Damián and carrying heavy backpacks. This house, lost among the mountains, has been one of the hundreds of places that I have inhabited since I started traveling. During this journey I have had very diverse homes, including mobile homes, beach houses, tents, hostels, apartments and pensions. Some I loved, and others not so much; It’s part of the “risk” of this adventure. ArteSumapaz is one of the homes that I loved.

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Kirsty Nicoll AIR

Scottish artist, Kirsty Nicoll, has been our second international AIR. As she had been traveling through South America prior to her arrival, Kirsty had a limited supply of materials with her; she has used the opportunity for a very personal investigation of self-portrait. Many thanks to both Kirsty and Joseph Puglisi for the following interview.

Inerviewer: Joseph Puglisi

Joseph: What is your name and your cultural background?

Kirsty: I’m Kirsty Nicoll, and I’m from Scotland. 

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Nils Verkaeren

In July 2019, we had our first official artist-in-residence, the Belgian painter, Nils Verkaeren. I had first seen Verkaeren’s work via a recent book, and was excited to have him working here; the actual experience was even better than I could have anticipated. Not only is Verkaeren a remarkable painter, but his energy for life and work is energizing.

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Press Release: A New Art and Culture Foundation Begins in Colombia With Audacious Dreams

Co-founders Ric Dragon, a United States visual artist living in Colombia for the past four years, and Pedro Crump, a Colombian composer and musician, have announced the formation of a non-profit organization dedicated to the support and growth of art and culture in Colombia. The foundation, named ArteSumapaz, is located on a former coffee plantation of 286 acres in San Bernardo, Cundinamarca.

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Books about Colombia; recommended

Whether you’re coming as a volunteer or as a visiting artist, if this is your first visit to Colombia, there are a few really wonderful books that are worth reading. Here are our recommendations:

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