FAQs

In general, there are six to ten artists in residence in the main residency house at any given time, as well as two to three full-time staff members and several volunteers. Very often, there are ten to sixteen people around the dinner table!

1. By Bus

You can take a bus from Terminal Salitre in Bogotá.

Important: Make sure you buy a ticket to San Bernardo, Cundinamarca, as there are several towns named San Bernardo in Colombia.

Please note that the last buses usually depart around 4:00 PM, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

2. Private Car Service

We can arrange a private transfer from Bogotá directly to ArteSumapaz for approximately COP 420,000 per vehicle.

Payment should be made in cash directly to the driver after the journey.

If you need to withdraw cash, the driver can stop at an ATM along the way before arriving at ArteSumapaz.

NOTE: driving up to ArteSumapaz from Bogota can be as quick as 2-1/2 hours in the middle of the night – but during the day, it can take several hours more. There is a lot of construction going on in Colombia these days!

Art supplies of decent quality are difficult to purchase here – in general, we advise bringing as much as you think you’ll need. There are some shops in Bogotá, but anything of decent quality has been imported, and is thus priced more to cover shipping and taxes. Seriously, bring art supplies. We do not sell artist materials at ArteSumapaz.

For the time being, US Amazon has been offering free delivery and without duty on some items. We have an address in Bogotá to which you can safely have things shipped, and then someone can bring it up from the city.

Some of the better shops in Bogotá:

• Guerrero Tienda de Arte – on Calle 45 with Cra 19 in Bogotá
• Belle Chantraine
• Panamericana – multiple locations in Bogotá

For paintings, artists generally work on temporary stretchers, and then roll the paintings. Silicone release paper can be handy for lining the paintings.

• Water bottle(s) – there isn’t drinking water in the studios, so it can be great to be able to bring your own supply from the main house while you’re working.
• Shoes or boots for hiking – keep those ankles covered!
• A good hat for the sun
• Sunscreen
• Audiophones: we work really hard to keep all spaces peaceful and quiet so folks can work.
• Mosquito net for hat – some people have found these handy while hiking
• Any sorts of creams or lotions that you really like – these things can be difficult to get here

The kitchen at ArteSumapaz is a vegetarian kitchen. Absolutely no meat is cooked in the kitchen or using kitchen utensils. For some of you, that’s great, but for others, you might get a bit frustrated if this is not your personal norm.

Carnivores: You can purchase sandwich meats and keep them in the communal refrigerator, or take a tuk-tuk into town and partake in one of the famous grilled meat plates of Colombia.

Vegans: The majority of our plates are vegan, although occasionally we do add some egg or dairy. Eggs are frequently the mainstay of breakfasts here, although we usually have granola and fruits available too.  If you’re vegan, you might need to step in and help with your meals. 

1. By Bus

You can take a bus from Terminal Salitre in Bogotá.

Important: Make sure you buy a ticket to San Bernardo, Cundinamarca, as there are several towns named San Bernardo in Colombia.

Please note that the last buses usually depart around 4:00 PM, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

2. Private Car Service

We can arrange a private transfer from Bogotá directly to ArteSumapaz for approximately COP 420,000 per vehicle.

Payment should be made in cash directly to the driver after the journey.

If you need to withdraw cash, the driver can stop at an ATM along the way before arriving at ArteSumapaz.

NOTE: driving up to ArteSumapaz from Bogota can be as quick as 2-1/2 hours in the middle of the night – but during the day, it can take several hours more. There is a lot of construction going on in Colombia these days!

Art supplies of decent quality are difficult to purchase here – in general, we advise bringing as much as you think you’ll need. There are some shops in Bogotá, but anything of decent quality has been imported, and is thus priced more to cover shipping and taxes. Seriously, bring art supplies. We do not sell artist materials at ArteSumapaz.

For the time being, US Amazon has been offering free delivery and without duty on some items. We have an address in Bogotá to which you can safely have things shipped, and then someone can bring it up from the city.

Some of the better shops in Bogotá:

• Guerrero Tienda de Arte – on Calle 45 with Cra 19 in Bogotá
• Belle Chantraine
• Panamericana – multiple locations in Bogotá

For paintings, artists generally work on temporary stretchers, and then roll the paintings. Silicone release paper can be handy for lining the paintings.

• Water bottle(s) – there isn’t drinking water in the studios, so it can be great to be able to bring your own supply from the main house while you’re working.
• Shoes or boots for hiking – keep those ankles covered!
• A good hat for the sun
• Sunscreen
• Audiophones: we work really hard to keep all spaces peaceful and quiet so folks can work.
• Mosquito net for hat – some people have found these handy while hiking
• Any sorts of creams or lotions that you really like – these things can be difficult to get here

The kitchen at ArteSumapaz is a vegetarian kitchen. Absolutely no meat is cooked in the kitchen or using kitchen utensils. For some of you, that’s great, but for others, you might get a bit frustrated if this is not your personal norm.

Carnivores: You can purchase sandwich meats and keep them in the communal refrigerator, or take a tuk-tuk into town and partake in one of the famous grilled meat plates of Colombia.

Vegans: The majority of our plates are vegan, although occasionally we do add some egg or dairy. Eggs are frequently the mainstay of breakfasts here, although we usually have granola and fruits available too.  If you’re vegan, you might need to step in and help with your meals. 

1. By Bus

You can take a bus from Terminal Salitre in Bogotá.

Important: Make sure you buy a ticket to San Bernardo, Cundinamarca, as there are several towns named San Bernardo in Colombia.

Please note that the last buses usually depart around 4:00 PM, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.

2. Private Car Service

We can arrange a private transfer from Bogotá directly to ArteSumapaz for approximately COP 420,000 per vehicle.

Payment should be made in cash directly to the driver after the journey.

If you need to withdraw cash, the driver can stop at an ATM along the way before arriving at ArteSumapaz.

NOTE: driving up to ArteSumapaz from Bogota can be as quick as 2-1/2 hours in the middle of the night – but during the day, it can take several hours more. There is a lot of construction going on in Colombia these days!