Timeout for Art – Impromptu Art Class – Museo Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador

Tags

museo bahia de caraquez, Painting Artifacts, Student Art Cllasses, The Mola Series

Opening Inauguration for Legado de Colores

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin

(Ecuador 2015)  Back in February, I dropped by Museo Bahia de Caraquez and enjoyed reminiscing with the staff about the Mola Series Exhibition the museum sponsored back in 2012.  Ready to work on a new series of museum artifacts, I asked permission to take a few photos.  With a bit of red-tape, the director Sixtina Ureta authorized me to photograph a few of my favorite pieces.  She also told me that my “Spiral” painting in their collection would be included in an upcoming show.

From 2013: Imagine my surprise when the guide at the Bahia de Caraquez Museum told me that my painting was in a new exhibit upstairs!

After a few delays, the museum’s most-recent show opened this morning for the viewing pleasure of a group of students.  I knew there would be students, but I did not realize that they were students of art!    Many wanted their photos taken with me in front of the spiral painting, and we had several laughs – especially when I crouched down with my back against the wall to be the same height as Sixtina.  Several other artists and supporters of the arts attended the formal presentation – it’s always a special honor to witness extranjeros who attend the local events.

There were young artists and older students, so I sat on the floor to be closer in height with the younger ones.

Sixtina discusses the museum’s colorful paintings for the Legado de Colores exposition at Museo Bahia de Caraquez

from 2012 “The Mola Series” – Painting pictured at Portoviejo Museum before it reached its permanent home at Museo Bahia de Caraquez.

“My teacher would like for you to come downstairs,” one student said as the gathering ended.  I followed Sixtina and others down the stairs to a level below the main floor.  A second art event was about to begin!

The paint brushes on the floor made me smile! – Museo Bahia de Caraquez

Javier has done a great job with the 50 young artists, and I spent the next hour looking over shoulders, critiquing, advising, backing up Javier’s instructions,  giving short demonstrations (very short) and giving autographs of encouragement.

Step into the classroom, look over my shoulder and enjoy the assortment of work created by these talented young artists.

Javier’s classes – Museo Bahia de Caraquez Ecuador

Art class Museo Bahia de Caraquez

The museum will showcase the students’ work in two weeks – Thursday April 9th with a reception in the evening.  I mentioned that traveling back to Jama at night is sometimes a problem, and Sixtina immediately invited me to stay in her home!   It will be fun to see the students again as they bask in the spotlight.  I’ll have to take a special book and ask for their autographs!

Before closing the door to this post, let’s step back upstairs and meet my newest model:

Jama Coaque artifact – Museo Bahia de Caraquez

Watercolor in progress: I thought that some colors, in honor of the new exhibition, might jazz up this one’s wardrobe!

A bundle of positive energy, Sixtina is rarely without her signature smile!

Thanks for touring the museum and taking a Timeout for Students!

Z