Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun - Mary Lou Cook
Art is something that some expats in our beach town, Puerto Armuelles, are actively pursuing.
In fact, recently we had one expat ask about where to buy acrylic paint to use in her craft projects. The next day, another expat asked what art classes were offered at Puerto's Centro de Bellas Artes Verisimo Castillo (Verisimo Castillo Center for Fine Arts).
In this post, we discuss the art classes offered, and other art opportunities offered in Puerto Armuelles.
We answer the question of where to buy art supplies, such as acrylic paint, in another post. (See the link below)
Puerto's Art Center: The Centro de Bellas Artes Verisimo Castillo. Bellas Artes offers classes for both adults and children. At various times of the year they offer classes in drawing, painting, guitar, and traditional dancing. Their main focus is on painting; acrylic painting.
These classes generally take a break in order for children to take classes during their summer break (January and February) and other school holidays.
Our daughter Skylar took a few art classes at the Centro de Bellas Artes when she was much younger. Then when she was 10 or 11 years old she attended afternoon painting sessions, which at the time were held every weekday afternoon. It was an adult class, but they were fine with her attending.
You can see one of the paintings she created during those sessions. Over the years, Skylar has also taken guitar lessons at the center.
Currently, there is a painting and drawing class in session. It runs from March - June 2018. It meets once a week, on Friday, at 4:30pm. The fee for the course is $30. The next session is expected to begin in July. The classes are all taught in Spanish.
You can also put your own group together for a class or drawing/painting group. The Director of the Center, Professor Carlos Miranda, is open to making that happen. The Center has easels and other art supplies available for your group's use. There will, of course, be a fee to use the space and their supplies.
For more information, you can stop by the Center or call the office at 770-7380. You can also reach Professor Miranda directly at 6665-5324. FYI, very little English is spoken at the Center.
The Bellas Artes building is located next to the Las Palmas baseball field, on the road to the Las Palmas neighborhood. It is shown in the photo.
Art Workshops. Brenda, an expat and one of the owners of the Tsunami Inn, offers workshops using Polymer clay, mosaics, and more. She is interested in creating art out of glass bottles and anything she is inspired by.
Her husband Don recently built her an art studio which includes a nice-sized kiln. That is where the workshops take place. I took one of her Polymer clay workshops recently. It was very enjoyable & educational.
Check back here or on the Puerto Armuelles Friends FB page for announcements of upcoming workshops.
Jewelry Making & Crafts. Every other Tuesday there is a jewelry/craft making opportunity at an expat gathering in the Coronado neighborhood. The other Tuesdays you can enjoy playing scrabble, as well as swimming in the pool or in the ocean. Here is some jewelry that was made on one such Tuesday.
Children Music Lessons. There is a musician in the Pueblo Nuevo neighborhood who for many years has offered music lessons and appreciation to kids in Puerto Armuelles. The drop in music experience is every Sunday afternoon. You will see him hanging out on his porch. Pueblo Nuevo is a tiny neighborhood behind the police station. Just after you pass the police station, his house is on the left, just before you are forced to turn right to avoid going the wrong way on a one-way road.
Puerto's Flea & Craft Market. You can sell your art at our monthly (more or less) market. It is held at the downtown waterfront park. You can sell your wares at the market even if you have no work permit. It is legal as long as any income generated is a minor part of your total income.
If you want to sell your art, crafts, or your stuff at the market & have Whatsapp, please contact us. I will ask if you can be put on the Whatsapp group. The Whatsapp group is for people who will plan on participating in the market. So only make a request to be part of the group if that is your serious intention. As a vender will be asked to donate part of your proceeds to help the street animals of Puerto Armuelles.
Do you know of any other art opportunities in Puerto? Please let me know.
Art of all types can be fun, especially when there are other people inspiring you with their art - or their attempts at art.
If you want to put your hat in the "art" ring, you may want to contact Brenda of the Tsunami Inn. She is interested in helping people explore art, of any type. Many people have never had the opportunity or time to explore their creative instincts. Now that you live in Puerto Armuelles, that has changed. You now have time to dabble and explore different mediums. You may find you have an unrealized talent. Something to pursue in this next chapter of your life.
If you have information about an art opening, where to find the best deals on artists supplies, or what crafts you are making to sell at the Saturday Flea Market, please comment below. We would love to hear from you.
