Mark your calendars for the Aruba Art Fair 2017, November 24th, 25th, 26th, in the streets of San Nicolas.
A recent press conference at Fusion Wine and Piano Bar starred Tito Bolivar, Director di Aruba Events Foundation, as he outlined the program for this year.
In 2016, for the first edition of AAF, we were totally surprised by the excellent content on display and by the great interest it provoked among islanders, when in September 2016, AAF attracted 10,000 visitors in just one weekend and injected a tremendous energy into the otherwise sleepy town.
The local artist community and a remarkable number of foreign artists left their mark on walls and building around the main street. The murals stayed behind to tell the story. And I love visiting them, combined with lunch at O’Neil’s Caribbean Kitchen or Kamini’s Kitchen, I don’t get there often enough.
This year three local artists Robert Solognier, George Rosel and Paul Wong, will be contributing to our collection of murals, Robert is a repeat offender, his mural of the whale from 2016 is spectacular. Additionally, eight international artists, most of them 3D street painters, will be spotting our walls. You may check out the impressive lineup: Juandres Vera, Mexico, WD Street Art, Greece, Lina Arias, Colombia, Odeith, Portugal, Chemis, Czech Republic, Zedz, The Netherlands, Adele Renault, Belgium, ASA, The Netherlands, Jorit Chi, Italy, and Dopie, also from the Netherlands.
Tito reports most of these artist applied for the opportunity to come here following the success of last year’s AAF 2016.
At the press conference, Alice van Romondt explained on behalf of Prins Bernand Cultural Fund, that efforts are being made to bring artists from the other Dutch Caribbean islands to Aruba, but that might be a challenge in view of the fact that some of the artists lost their homes in the recent devastating storms.
Alex Nieuwmeyer, Managing Director Divi Resorts Aruba, a great supporter of the AAF, will be one of the host hotels for visiting artists. Divi already commissioned a mural from last year’s renowned muralist, Dutch artist Leon Keer. He created a life-like 3D painting depicting a turtle in a clear aquarium, set on the beach with the horizon on the same line, as the actual, real life horizon. Divi guests take pictures there all the time.
What you need to know: Wednesday November 22nd Fashion meets Art, curated by Swesdy Beeldsnijder. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, street fair, with 150 artists, pop up galleries, and public murals.
AAF will host 7 educational programs, during the week, including Art Talk, a photography contest, and school art activities. We’re in for a treat!
AAF is supported by the Aruba Tourism Authority, Divi Resorts, Prins Bernhard Fund, and unfolds in San Nicholas.
