Friday 06. of February 2009

By: goat

During your travels along the dirtroad, you may have noticed Inspiracion Galeria de Arte. Inspiracion Galeria joined the community of Santa Teresa just a little over a month ago, opening its doors to artist, tourists, and curious neighbors.  Located just 200 meters north of La Lora, Doug Rhodes and his partner Malika Lawrence have a goal:  To make, sell, and create art.  Just as important they hope to establish a venue in which the community can show, express, and develop their creative ventures, as well as host workshops and community events.

 

    One such community event is Collage Night, held every Wednesday at 7pm.  During Collage Night anyone can attend, experienced and beginners alike, and allow their creative juices to flow through collage.  This is a free event, although they ask attendees (if they can) to bring magazines, books, or any collage type material they don't mind cutting up.  Encouraged is the sharing of collage materials for those who come without; and of course, material donations are always welcome and appreciated. 

 

Drinking is neither encouraged nor prohibited; many bring a bottle of wine to share or a favorite snack to munch. Collages can be posted on CollageNight.com, a website created for the sharing of this medium by artists around the world. Eventually they plan to do a show exhibiting collages created by consenting Collage Night participants.

Another example of how Doug and Malika hope to share their newest “inspiration” is through the creation of masks.  At a full moon party last month, the lunar energy provoked creative forces and Malika was reminded of the African masks her father use to make out of old plastic bottles.  Sharing this memory with Doug sparked a crazy frenzy of collecting tossed soda bottles, cutting and sanding, and finally the painting of masks. Doug chuckles impishly, “ It’s ‘green’ art that’s not necessarily green.”  They plan to start workshops teaching children and adults how to make the masks thus inspiring artistic production as well as reducing the plastic waste in Costa Rica.

 

Inspiracion Galeria exhibits works by local and international artists as well.  Shows will be scheduled monthly starting in February (see calendar of events).  The gallery is open 11am to 7pm everyday except Mondays.  For more information about hours, shows, or workshops call Inspiracion Galeria de Arte at 2-640-0690.