Guanacaste Costa Rica Art

During the end of this month and through part of the first week of May (to May 8th), there is an exhibition of art at the Museo Guanacaste in Liberia, Costa Rica.  It is called the Art Festival in the Museum and this is the second year of the exhibit.  The art includes 30 samples in all: paintings from local artists, sculptures and local crafts, as well as an exhibition of wood carvers making sculptures, workshops and concerts. 

Most of the artists are from the Guanacaste province, and a few are recent transplants.  One of the painters who is featured at the show is from Switzerland, but she lives and paints of subjects in Costa Rica.  Here are some photos of the paintings that are featured in two rooms at the museum.

The Patio, Heaven and Earth by Christian Porras.  Another of his patio paintings is shown below.

Leaf, a colorful macro study by Helga Denoth from Switzerland, who became enamored of tropical Costa Rica.

Montadero by Jorge Sáenz, part of a Guanacaste cultural tradition.

Reorganization of a figure by the landscape by Juan Carlos Ruiz, one of two paintings in this style on exhibition.

The Mediterranean Muse by Norma Varela.  She has other portraits of women from Guanacaste province.

Monomorphosis I by Rodicab, part of three paintings in a series reflecting a local legend.

Corner of the patio by Christian Porras.

Holocaust of the pigeons by Rebeca Alvorado

Outside of the museum there were three sculptors working on Saturday, two working with wood and another with stone.  The sculptors participating included Ulises Jiménez, Manual Vargas, and Domingo Ramos.   Here are some photos of two of them doing their craft, and some pieces that were exhibited in the museum:

A mix of power tools and hand work were needed to make this sculpture.

Power tools make sculpting faster, but noisier and perhaps more dangerous.

Other works of art included carvings using the fruit of jicaro trees.  These small trees have odd flowers and the globe-like fruit are borne along the stems.  They were used by indigenous people to make drinking and eating vessels, spoons, as well as musical instruments like maracas and ocarinas.  Here is a display of the artistic uses of jicaro:

So, if you are near Liberia during this time of the year, take some time out to go see the art.  It is a pleasure to view and the atmosphere in the Museum is accommodating.  You can also make a donation for the renovation of the building, as it is a work in progress.  This fort-like building, which covers a whole block, used to be the police headquarters and held prisoners as well.  You can tour the building as well during the art exhibition.  Here is a photo of one of the four parapets of the building: