A center for the arts in Cundinamarca, Colombia
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.
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.
Continue readingCo-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.
Continue readingWhether 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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I’m currently in Japan for the month of March, attending my own artist-in-residency at Studio Kura, in Ishotima, Japan. Besides getting to focus on my own work, I’m getting to see firsthand how an established AIR functions.
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On 15 January, 2019, we hosted an exploratory meeting for our alternative arts school. The overall plan and proposed curriculum was presented to a group of young artists. The participants were also asked about their levels of interest in the proposals.
One thing we heard was that several participants would be interested in attending a brief introduction workshop – perhaps a weekend in duration, so that they could experience the curricular approach and facilities firsthand.
If you wanted to attend this meeting, but couldn´t, or are just interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us. We are planning for the first 6-8 week session to commence in August 2019.
I’ve received a lot of questions lately about how people can get involved with ArteSumapaz. Right now, we are still in start-up mode, dealing with things like setting up the non-profit foundation, and negotiating the lease contract.
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Recently, in meeting with another foundation director here in Bogotá, I was inspired to write my own manifesto:
Global warming. War. Famine. Disease. In the face of these countless crisis we face in our world, we believe that the presence of art provides a deeply abiding affirmation of hope. Inherent in art is a constant questioning of the status quo, of what is established, what needs to be questioned. It gives individuals the permission to look both more deeply within and in the world around them. It elevates the taking of time to contemplate, to observe more keenly the relationships of all things with everything. We explore the stories and myths that abide in our collective memories, that guide us backout of our struggles, both as a people and as individuals.
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