An inspiring residency experience
Monte Azul
Located in the foothills of Mt. Chirripó in Costa Rica, the country's highest peak, Monte Azul Center for the Arts is a residency program located on a private 100 acre (40 hectares) rainforest reserve, with more than a 1/4 mile (1,200 mts) of riverfront along the Río Chirripó Pacífico.
This artists residency program began in 2008 with an innovative focus on art, while offering a personal touch to nurture the artist’s creative process.
The program is for artists of many disciplines who want to be immersed in a world free of distractions – and feel embraced and secure to create what they came to accomplish.
Expansion
Monte Azul announces the expansion of studio facilities scheduled for completion in late 2023.
The beautiful structures were designed by Monte Azul alumnus and partner at award-winning Cañas Arquitectos, Andrés Cañas Barahona.
Cañas produced the much admired Walking Stones sculptures in 2010, installed throughout the property, during his first Monte Azul Residency, and has a long career in fine art in sculpture and site-specific installations.
The concept of the Monte Azul expansion is to create an intimate environment that includes a gallery at the center of four live-work studios equipped for digital, performance, culinary, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional arts. Located just steps from the majestic Chirripó River, the spaces offer artists the utmost privacy with the opportunity to also engage in community.
Andrés Cañas Barahona´s vision is an elegant, contemporary solution with spaces that invite an artist to experience the rainforest, along with its inspiring sights and sounds, and to explore in privacy while feeling fully supported at Monte Azul.
The gallery will exhibit works produced by resident artists. In collaboration with other galleries and institutions, will offer an intimate space in which to hold exhibitions and other events.
Thanks to our Community of
Art Patrons
The innovative model and format of Monte Azul offer an opportunity for individuals and institutions to support the work of artists by collecting works and funding residencies through a grant and fellowship program.
For the opening season, we are happy to present four artist awards:
Andrés Cañas Barahona Award
Robert Gamblin Artist Colors Award
The Joe & Jackie Award
Donna Uchida Award
