ArteAntigua

Mixed Media Art Workshop in March

Laura Rico — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:15:26 +0000

Established artist Kim Grant will be bringing mixed media art to La Antigua Guatemala. Aspiring artists are welcome to join her March 18-27 for Art Workshops in Guatemala.

Mixed Media, Collage and Art Journal

Join Kim Grant and find your own personal artistic expression. This is a playful class, filled with demonstrations where you can freely experiment with newly learned techniques.You’ll bring home art you can proudly frame or include in your art journal. Spend 4 days at spectacularly beautiful LAKE ATITLAN … Experience an incredible Lenten procession in Antigua.

March 18-27 2010

Imagine yourself…… creating art while overlooking the volcanoes and mystical Lake Atitlan!! We spend three nights here at Posada Santiago, where you’ll learn numerous techniques to cross artistic boundaries of mixed media — ie how to use innovative paint and collage techniques, transfers, found- objects, metals, Plexiglas, string and wax.

We base out of old colonial Antigua, with its cobblestone streets and centuries old ruins covered with bougainvillea, where your art will be inspired by Guatemala’s colorful and exotic surroundings. You will utilize interesting items found at the market – fabulous local handwoven fabrics, beads and Milagros. This workshop covers many techniques Kim used creating “Destiny of Souls”, which was featured in Cloth, Paper, Scissors Fall 2005 and also featured in BEST OF AMERICA Mixed Media Artists & Artisans 2009. Her style of instruction provides a meaningful experience for students of all skill levels and background. It is the perfect opportunity for a beginner with an imagination and desire to learn, to create something new and exciting – and have fun! More seasoned artists will pick up new skills and techniques and discover ways to incorporate them into their own work. This class is designed to broaden your horizons and free your mind.

A highlight of this workshop are the Sunday Lenten processions. You’ll see ‘alfombras’ – carpets made of sawdust, flowers and pine needles that families design and create in the streets in front of their homes. Then processions pass by – hundreds of people from local churches – carrying ‘andas’ – heavy floats – on their shoulders, with figures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and other saints. It’s an incredible, must see to believe, experience!!

Total package price, including tuition, lodging in lovely colonial style hotels, a hearty breakfast each morning all ground transportation and some pretty interesting cultural experiences is US$1,845. Art supplies are not included.

Kim Grant is an innovative artist and popular instructor. Her art is fearless in its variety of mediums and styles, ranging from textural and geometric shapes, to color layering, collage and beyond. Some of her pieces create the illusion of being metal, though they were transformed from paper. She’s an experienced instructor, having taught numerous workshops in Guatemala, Thailand, Vietnam and France. She has published articles detailing her artwork and techniques in a variety of books and magazines. Kim’s work is represented in fine art galleries nationwide and collected by corporations and private clients. You can learn more about her work and contact her at Kim Grant Designs.

Contact Information Liza Fourré
Director Art Workshops in Guatemala
phone: 612-825-0747
Click here to e-mail

Soul of the Guitar, Sprit of the Drum

Laura Rico — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:26:51 +0000

Delve into the spiritual depths of music with a Costa Rican artist. Singer MAF presents:

“Alma de guitarra, Espíritu de Tambor”

The magic of the island of fantasies, four voices singing. Accompanied by the sensuality of the guitars, and the force of the drum… En la IN the simplicity and beauty of the acoustic and the organic.

One dream. Two drums. Three guitars. Four voices. Five musicians. Interpreting the sounds of the muses of the sea and the mountain.

Vibrating with the beats of bossa reggae, funky rock… and immersing the stage with projections and photographs, they promise to use sound to take you on a journey to the countries and colors of this tropical island.

Saturday, February 27 at 7:00 pm.

Entrance: Q. 60.00

Participants:

Antonio Jueves González and Luís de la Rosa, singers
Jonatan Bermúdez, drummer
Franklin López, percussionist

For reservations call: 78323037

Italian Guitar at !Espacioce!

Laura Rico — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:12:08 +0000

The Centro de formación de la cooperación española in La Antigua and the Instituto Italiano de Cultura present Italian guitarist Fabio Federico Saturday, February 27th.

Fabio Federico, originally from Calabria, received his diploma from the conservatorio de Cosenza, to subsequently complete his studies of improvement in the Biella with different and illustrious guitarists worldwide.

He began his professional work at the age of nine and is world renowned in Italy.

The program Federico is presenting at Espacioce! is a tour featuring the great authors of the 80s and 90s, such as Mauricio Colonna, Angelo Gilardino or Mauro Giuliani.

The concert begins at 5:00 pm.

Todos Santos of the 1980s

Laura Rico — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:02:00 +0000

The changes in the Guatemalan village of Todos Santos inspired one German photographer to document what he encountered during the 1980s. Hans Namuth earned widespread renown after photographing Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock. Artwork from his Todos Santos project will be on display at El Sitio Proyecto Cultural beginning Saturday, February 20, at 7 pm.

An excerpt from Revue Magazine:

In 1947 Hans Namuth made his first visit to Todos Santos Cuchumatán with his French-born Guatemalan wife Carmen Herrera. He returned to Todos Santos after the great earthquake of 1976 that took the lives of many Guatemalans. The changes he saw in Todos Santos persuaded him to photograph the entire population of the town. The project began in 1978 and concluded in 1987, with Namuth making several trips a year to complete this work.

The indigenous seem to understand instinctively what I want from them; we communicate with looks and gestures. The most important thing is empathy and mutual trust. This is a formula that has never failed me. -Los Todos Santeros, Hans Namuth, (Nishen, London, 1989)

Traditional Maya Blessing

Laura Rico — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:54:42 +0000

Observe the exotic customs of traditional Maya Blessings this week.

La Peña de Sol Latino is hosting an authentic cultural event where a Maya sacerdote (priest) conducts a special ceremony to bless Los Amigos de La Peña.

The event is free and begins at 5:00 pm on Monday, February 15th.

Vegas in La Antigua NGO Benefit

Laura Rico — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:31:11 +0000

Itching to try your hand in the games of chance? This Valentine’s day place your bets on Guatemala’s numerous NGO operations.

For the second year, La Antigua Guatemala Network and Jades S.A. along with other sponsors are offering an event which is fun for the attendees and profitable participating NGO’s.

To be held at Casa Convento Conception on Sunday afternoon, February 14th, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm in Antigua, it will feature Poker, Blackjack, Roulette and Bingo, as well as an Elegant Silent Auction and a Casino Boutique. In the Bistro, food and drink will be available.

Entrance: Q200

If you have any questions please contact Judy Sadlier at 7832-9871 or send an e-mail.

Rock Out on Valentine’s Day

Laura Rico — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:42:00 +0000

Enjoy a jam session presenting the oldies but goodies this Valentine’s Day. Rockstalgia presents Cariño, a selection of English and Spanish hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Band Members include:

Luís Ramírez – First voice and drums
Fernando Vidal – Base and vocals
Ottoniel Coyoy – Keyboard
Fredy Carrera – First guitar and vocals

The concert at El Sitio Proyecto Cultural begins at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 13th and at 4:30 pm Sunday, February 14th.

Entrance: Q70

Celebrate Valentine’s Weekend with Children’s Folk Dances

Laura Rico — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:09:26 +0000

The Maya population is a culture rich with custom and ancient stories. This Saturday, February 13th the Niños con Benedición from San Antonio Aguas Calientes is presenting a performance in traditional folk dances at La Peña de Sol Latino.

Ninos con Bendicion” is a grassroots dance group made up of ten children ages 6-10 years old who come from some of the poorest families in the village. As their culture is based on corn, the children present a few short, local, Maya dances involving the crop planting, blessing, and corn harvest.

The free event begins at 1 pm.

Donations that will help support the children’s school expenses are graciously accepted.

Plato Fuerte at Panza Verde

Laura Rico — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:14:54 +0000

Take a fresh look at food and the way it’s presented before you – the consumer – eats it.

Arturo Monroy’s installation of Plato Fuerte opens this week.

Galería Sol del Río at Meson Panza Verde will be hosting the exhibition beginning Wednesday, February 10th at 5:00 pm.

The art will be on display until March 7th.

Symbolism in Art

Laura Rico — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:58:26 +0000

Learn about the meanings and motifs behind modern art in this week’s lecture hosted by AnEcho in La Antigua, Guatemala. Acclaimed artist Ricardo Silva is presenting Symbolism in Art.

Born in Valparaiso, Chile. His artistic creations take place in Guatemala, Spain (Barcelona) and the United States. His works are found in important private collections in Spain, France, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Belgium, Holland, Germany, United States, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, at the Museum of Modern Art of Guatemala city, the FORMA Museum of Modern Art of El Salvador, Didrichsen Museum of Modern Art of Helsinki, Finnland and in permanent exhibition at the Vice Presidential Offices of Guatemala city and in several private collections and galleries of Guatemala. His works have been commented in important art publications of Guatemala, magazines and public forums. Silva regularly lectures on contemporary art in different cultural and educational institutions and is part of the avantgarde group of abstract artists of Guatemala and Central America. The artist exhibits and donates works for altruistic and benefit endeavors through serious and recognized non-profit associations of Guatemala, specially compromised in underprivileged child health programs, human rights,conservationist and ecological programs as also for the care and prevention of animal abuse.

Silva will be giving his lecture Wednesday, February 10th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at AnEcho in Casa Convento Concepción.

Guatemala: Beautiful and Ugly

Laura Rico — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:25:59 +0000

Bewitching and mystic. The allure of Guatemala takes hold of the heart through the prose of the man behind La Antigua’s Quinta Maconda – John Heaton.

There is no place as beautiful and ugly and dramatic and as full of life and death as Guatemala. It is art! Guatemala is a mystical lady, but one of ill repute. She wields charms and seduces to no end. She is tantalizing, haughty, daunting, vibrant, and treacherous. Those who dare to get involved and immerse deep into this land ultimately pay a price. Some will just evaporate, be disappeared, or simply leave; few will come out untouched.

This is no alluring description like those found in luxury travel magazines. Then again, we are not dealing with an ordinary destination. For those who crave the edge, Guatemala is as sharp as it gets. A land where extremes rub elbows- Beauty and the beast. They dance a whirlwind while trying not to step on each others toes. When they Ultimately do, the music stops with deathly silence. And, as if nothing, it resumes, as bewitching as ever. Life goes on. This is Guatemala’s reality: harsh, raw, vibrant, bewildering and unforgiving; all amid a land of majestic volcanoes and jungle mists, one where highland Maya ancestral traditions and unfathomable beauty lie.

For those who live this country, it is essential to deconstruct, to shelf genteel upbringing, worldly manners and grow tougher skin. It is part of ones check list before entering the stage of this real theater, one filled with Botero-esque actors playing Garcia Marquez meets Mario Puzo. Games of masks and mirrors prevail and one can be struck by the disappearance of a friend and moments later by the praising of henchmen – or even, by the kidnapping of a brides rose’s! Yet, in some strange way, one remains awed by the beauty of it all.

This is a land where adventure echoes and curiosity is its fuel. There is no roar of the lion, but the tremors of earth itself, the rumble of volcanos spewing glowing lava, dawn mists ripping from the canopy of primal forests, dugout canoes gliding silently on the mirrored waters of jungle streams and pagan effigies serving as the protectors of the dispossessed. Extraordinary landscapes, ancestral cultures and eternal contradictions: Magical surrealism is Guatemala!

Almost a quarter of a century ago, it was a perfect canvas for me. A land where passions could be expressed freely and be transformed into art and enterprise. Away from gilded boxes, conservative nay-saying and unwarranted pretensions. This was terra incognita: wild, unfashionable, yet terribly alluring and at the antipode of western habits. And mostly, then, I had her all to myself. That is when Guatemala became my adopted home: under the volcanos, amidst the ruined monuments of a small Spanish colonial town named Antigua. Struck by devastating earthquakes over the centuries, time stopped with each tremor and created a rare and stunning setting of old stones, myths and legends.

A Night of Enchantment: Masked Venetian Ball

Laura Rico — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:23:26 +0000

For one magical evening, mystery will enshroud Las Ruinas Santa Clara as masked men and woman convene for a night of enchantment and dance at the Venetian Ball.

Located in one of Antigua’s more charming ruins, this should be the highlight of the social season.

Participants can find locally-made costumes for the event.

Q100 from every ticket purchased will be donated to local charities.

Several local painters will be performing live at 8 pm. A theme will be assigned and the artists will have 90 minutes to complete their artwork. At 10 pm, an auction will begin, with the proceeds from all sales donated to the charity of the artist’s choice.

The masquerade will also host an Italian buffet by Culinaria’s Alejandro Rayo from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. A cash bar will provide sodas, beer, wine, champagne and various liquors. The event will also feature a string quartet, dancing and a DJ.

A prize will be awarded for the best costume.

A professional photographer will be in attendance, so look your best!

Tickets can be purchased through the following organizations and businesses:

Los Ninos
Developing Scholars
Antigua Tobacco Co: 3a Calle poniente, #12 7832-9420
Antigua Tobacco Co: 5a norte, #32b 7882-4228
El Sitio Restaurant: 5a Calle poniente, #15 7832-1664
Revue Magazine: 61 Calle poniente, #2 7832-4619
Partners for Surgery: 5996-7254
Sobremesa, 3ra calle poniente, 4352-2792

Costumes can be purchased through the following suppliers:

Alex Ferrar of Sobremesa: 3ra Calle Poniente, #3e 4352-2792
Antigua Tobacco Company: 5ta Norte. Sales of masks from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Diseno Professional (tailors): #34 2a Calle poniente 5417-4806
Miriam de Carpio of Creaciones Mirusha: 10a Calle 17-18, Zona 6, Gautemala 2288-0511 2256-0622
Ocasiones: 5417-4806
Christa at Maya Jardine: Antigua, 5a Calle Oriente #10, 4159-2203
Party Time: 3a Ave, 15-41 Zona 14

The magic begins at 7 pm.

Entrance: Q500 per person, Q900 for two people

Saxopiano Serenade in La Antigua

Laura Rico — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:49:54 +0000

Relax to the smooth sounds of the saxophone and piano with a most enjoyable treat in the classical arts this Friday. Singer/songwriter Giovanni Passarelli is performing at El Sitio Proyecto Cultural.

A Guatemalan singer and composer with a profound passion for music. Passarelli was born in Guatemala City November 3, 1972. He decided to dedicated himself to music later in life, after receiving a university degree in administration and has five years studying music. He as performed in bars, restaurants, hotels and other locations throughout Guatemala City.

In 2005, worked with Fernando Scheel to produce his debut album, “Tu Lugar,” where he had the opportunity to sing with Celia Recinos – a renowned actress, comedian, presentor and composer in Guatemala. Passarelli also earned support from prestigious musicians such as Paulo Alvarado, Alfredo Cáceres, Germán Giordano, Carlos Suchini, Manuel García, Rolando Gudiel and Miguel Ángel Villagrán. The wonderful voices of Gloria Cáceres, Luisa Cancinos, María Elisa Urrutia, Anneliese Magermans, Nelson Leal y Jorge Estrada contributed to the chorus.

Passarelli’s music was recieved well by the public and the singer/songwriter continues to present his music through Guatemala. He has also promoted his work in the United States and in Spain. As his career develops, Passarelli is thinking of experimenting in opera music.

Entrance: Q60
The concert at El Sitio begins at 7 pm.

Local Wine from La Antigua

Laura Rico — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:18:28 +0000

Locally produced wine from La Antigua Guatemala has not been available since the colonial times… until now. Chateau DeFay, a new local vintner has brought the art of wine making in Guatemala back to life.

First Vintage
by Ira Lewis

A rewarding excursion to Guatemala’s first winery to produce wine from locally-grown grapes since colonial times

Hidden behind a coffee finca on the lower slopes of volcano El Agua is the first winery to produce wine from Guatemalan-grown grapes since colonial times: Chateau DeFay. Jacques and Angie DeFay recently presented their first vintage after years of finding the right grapes, some false starts, lots of very hard work and years of nurturing the vines. The vintage is 2007, but the wines have only just become available to the public.

After a four-kilomoter drive down a dirt road from Santa María de Jesús toward Palín, it comes as quite a surprise to find this turreted chateau, which would be perfectly at home in Bordeaux or Italy. A gate on the left with the discreet initials “CDF” marks the entrance.

The three wines of the first vintage, even coming from young vines, show promise. Could Guatemala be another improbable area that will become a wine-producing country because the right soil and weather conditions exist? It all starts with one winery.

For example, North Carolina was not a wine-producing state 20 years ago. Then tobacco demand fell, a few farms planted grapes and some started to make wine. As the potential became apparent, experienced vintners came into the area and now wine cognoscenti are starting to refer to the North Carolina Piedmont region as the Sonoma Valley of the East Coast.

Read the entire article by clicking here.

Painting for the Public

Laura Rico — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:57:28 +0000

Revue Magazine has featured two local artists in La Antigua Guatemala who feel that art should be shared with everyone:

Painting in Public Spaces
by Laura McNamara

Budding artists Geovany Flores and José Luis López Godoy honored their former elementary school, Escuela Mariano Navarrete, with the gift of a vast, colorful mural.

What does the mural depict?

José Luis López Godoy: The central idea behind the mural is that it was created for primary children. It is focused upon Maya icons and iconography, mixing a lot of trends—from a little cubism, naive art and pop art—so that the children have a little art history.

Geovany Flores: The making of the mural was inspired by the Popol Vuh. The Popol Vuh is a sacred book of the K’iche’ Maya and narrates the creation of vegetation, animals, the first man made from corn, and, afterwards, the origin of the K’iche’ Maya. The Popol Vuh is like the Bible for the Maya … the perfect, human-divine creation for the gods are the men of corn. You can see in the central part of the mural a tree with corncobs. This narrates the creation of the first men. The tree also signifies the central axis of the universe and narrates the three planes that make up the terrestrial world.

What inspired you to make the mural?

Flores: José took the initiative and contributed the first ideas … he went to the school and spoke with the director. The director said, yes, we could make the mural.

Godoy: The kids gave us the inspiration. We did a quiz where we summoned all the kids to make a drawing of what worried or bothered them the most. In the drawings we found, with much surprise, that they were most affected by the violence in their lives. So we wanted to relate in the mural something more, showing different alternatives.

Read the entire article by clicking here.