Art scene
Art scene
Arty Aruba by Susan Campbell The past few years have seen an explosion of artistic talent blossom and take root all over this island, and now visitors can experience their creations at almost every turn. A quiet metamorphosis
Not long ago visitors and locals began noticing cobalt blue ceramic horses popping up all over the place in downtown Oranjestad. But don’t think that placing eight steed sculptures around downtown as random art was the entire plan. They have a cultural purpose as well. Aruba’s Paardenbaai (bay of horses) has an important history as a horse-trading port. The paso fino breed left behind by the Spanish are among the finest in the world, and the downtown bay is where they would swim ashore from the boats. It’s all part of a quiet arts and culture movement infiltrating the island in a myriad of interesting forms to showcase Aruba’s formidable creative talents and culture.
Aruba’s inherent artistic fortitude has always been alive and well, but it hasn’t always been easily accessible or recognizable by visitors. The art community and cultural promoters have typically been locally focused, yet the works have been hiding in plain sight if you knew where to look. Aruba’s resident artists like legendary painter Elvis Tromp are showcased in many of the lobbies and rooms of the major resorts, on the walls of numerous fine dining establishments, and in public spaces like the airport, government buildings, and museums. Some restaurants serve as mini galleries such as Gasparito and Papiamento. Cuba’s Cookin’ has an excellent collection of original Cuban art, while L’America Gallery sells a lot of local art along with their international offerings. Local art, crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs can be found at Cosecha
Learn to make beautiful glass creations at Terrafuse A local artist at work during the Korteweg festival
Historically, most of Aruba’s artists have used their home workshops as their galleries, which have been accessible to the public by appointment only. Though there are a few walk-in options like Ateliers ’89 in Oranjestad where Elvis Lopez runs an art school and holds half-day workshops for groups. Marian and Ciro Abath have always held workshops for visitors in ceramics, glass, and bronze at their Terrafuse location in Turibana. (You can also visit them as part of a Wix tour.) But it wasn’t until recently that local Aruban art received a lasting home, and the entire creativity movement began receiving the kind of recognition it deserves.
been certified by the national seal of craftsmanship Seyo Nacional pa Artesania that recognizes locally handmade products so they can be distinguished from imported mass-produced products.” If you’re lucky enough to be downtown when the trendy new Korteweg appears out of the blue (korteweg means short street), you can see all kinds of local art. The festival literally pops up overnight on the tiny downtown street it was named after. Crafters and artists transform a little barren alley into a lively, colorful festival open to the public, and then they tear it down again! The Korteweg concept pops up at other island events and locations as well. You’ll also see community art and craft stalls joining the many seasonal festivals that take place downtown and along the waterfront marina.
UNOCA sets the stage
Two of the eight blue steed sculptures you can admire in the downtown area Local artist, Elvis Tromp, posing with one of his colorful paintings
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Top left photo by Tara Markus. Bottom left photo courtesy of Elvis Tromp. Right photo courtesy of Cosecha
Aruba’s first permanent, public national art collection now graces the walls of the UNOCA building in downtown Oranjestad. The space is designed to evolve and grow with time, and the works have been curated from on-island and abroad. Another new permanent home for Aruba’s creative residents is Cosecha. Set in a beautifully restored 100-year-old mansion in downtown Oranjestad, it hosts the island’s most authentic regional art pieces, crafts, and works. The founders say, “Products found in Cosecha have all Left photo courtesy of Korteweg. Right photo courtesy of Terrafuse
San Nicolas: an artistic revolution
As Oranjestad’s art movement slowly revealed itself in the capital city, San Nicolas underwent an entirely different experience. The art scene exploded onto the streets almost overnight throughout the town that locals call Sunrise City. It began with the initial beautification and upgrade of infrastructure throughout the historic oil refinery community. Monuments like the old church and water tower were restored, and then everyone came out to paint the town – literally! ! Nights 27
Art scene
Art scene
The government-sponsored Aruba Mural Projects was just the beginning. Young and old were invited to create bold, colorful works on the old boarded up areas, crumbling walls, and decrepit buildings. The result was incredible. But it was the Aruba Art Fair held in the fall of 2016 that really changed everything for good. What began as a simple idea to attract international artists to pitch in on the beautification and to showcase bright, local talent, went beyond their wildest dreams. The response was astonishing! Even the organizers were surprised when some 10,000 people turned up during one weekend alone! It was truly the event that put San Nicolas squarely upon the international art world radar. Five temporary galleries and creative spaces were opened for the event, and now one remains as a continual showcase: the ArtisA Gallery, which is owned by the Aruba Art Fair foundation. It provides a revolving selection of exhibits showcasing both national and international artists. The Art Fair has now become an annual event with culinary art competitions, building takeovers, multimedia programs, contests, workshops, and more. But its most important legacy was the Art Walk it left behind.
Strolling throughout the main center of San Nicolas today, you’ll be surprised at how much cool art you’ll encounter at every turn. Over-the-top giant sculptures and stand-alone monuments brilliantly painted, transformed buildings, even 3D interactive experiences! Plus the beautiful new ceramic art benches lining the streets are works of art unto themselves. There is also free Wi-Fi and a Solar Power Tree for charging your tech that sends the charming old community soaring into the 21st century.
Tito Bolivar, founder of the Aruba Art Fair says: “We have been working hard to make San Nicolas the art destination of the Caribbean, where creative talent from all over the world will come to express, relax, and create wonderful works for all to see in our historic town. We hope it will draw visitors and locals alike to experience its unique new vibe. And we have many exciting plans for future art projects here as well.” A second incarnation of Cosecha has also been opened in San Nicolas, and there’s a brand new modern Museum of Industry, and a new Community Museum full of exciting exhibits in the newly renovated landmark, the Nicolaas Store. A new wave of multimedia art
The ArtisA Gallery in San Nicolas
There have been standout stars in the multimedia category for years. Artist Gilbert Senchi who has fashioned some of the island’s most iconic outdoor sculptures and Elisa Lejuez-Peters who brought her passion for fashion and textiles to the island to create avant-garde silkscreen art using prints as her muse. Now, a new generation of young artists is surfacing to make a name for themselves. And they are incorporating a multitude of mediums.
For example, there’s young Armando Goedgedrag who splits his time between creating gorgeous oil paintings of Aruba’s nature and creating multimedia renditions of the island using photography, video, and even drones for aerial work. Then there is local videographer and cinematographer Juan Torres whose mini movies of Aruba for many promotions are getting great critical acclaim. Many of these talented up-and-comers are graduates of Academy of Fine Arts and Design Aruba in downtown Oranjestad. Look for their beautiful powder blue building on Ooststraat. Visitors can watch the young artists at work, and the academy arranges public workshops. You can even make your own 3D printer creation there! Brave new world! As you can see, Aruba’s art scene is entering a whole new phase of fabulous. So go get creative with this island’s talent, or simply appreciate their outstanding work now that it’s easier than ever to access it. " Armando Goedgedrag hard at work for his next creation
The Bordalo II mural was part of the 10 public art pieces created for the 2016 Aruba Art Fair The clubhouse entrance at Gold Coast features a sculpture by Gilbert Senchi
Leon Keer created a clever trompe-l’oeil 3D mural for the Aruba Art Fair
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Bottom photos courtesy of the Aruba Art Fair. Top right photo courtesy of the ArtisA Gallery
Students at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design Aruba Clockwise from left, photos courtesy of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design Aruba, Armando Goedgedrag, and Gold Coast
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