Monte Azul Center for the Arts
Programs and Facilities
Our Commitment
Monte Azul exists to support the work of artists because we believe the artistic process is critical to a successful society.
We provide studios, but our purpose is larger. We remove practical barriers. We protect the time and space necessary for creation.
Our facilities and programs are built on this commitment. They are the foundation for a community where artists and their work can thrive.
For more insight regarding the inspiration and design of the Monte Azul facilities, please follow this link.
Monte Azul Gallery
Monte Azul rotates curated exhibitions at the gallery space located in the Atrium Gallery, as well as in the Visitor Suites, and throughout the grounds.
Works from the collection are inspired by the artists' experiences at the Monte Azul property and produced on-site. The works are available for acquisition, which also helps to underwrite the Fellowship Programs.
Personalized Residency
Reconnect and trust the process. Monte Azul Center for the Arts is a customizable experience, giving you permission to play and find inspiration – in the environment as well as within – to rediscover what’s most important to you.
Monte Azul Center for the Arts caters to artists in a number of disciplines. We offer an inclusive residency program, where diversity is a creative advantage.
24 Hour Studio Facilities
The new Monte Azul Studios, opening December 2023, offer artists 24-hour access to quality facilities that are equipped with a 1978 Griffen large formate press for a number of printmaking techniques, kiln, potter's wheel, slab roller for ceramics, and facilities to explore screen printing, digital arts & photography, theater and movement, writing, painting, and sculpture.
Painting & Sculpture
Monte Azul's painting and sculpture facilities provide versatile workspaces tailored for artists. The indoor studios offer a functional environment with ample lighting. Outdoor areas throughout the property allow for inspiration from nature while working. Additionally, our covered gallery functions as a practical space for making work as well for exhibitions.
Offsite, artists may also opt to contract the services of skilled craftsmen for assistance and support. Artisans working in steel, concrete and stone, as well as wood offer technical insight along with specialized tools and facilities.
Writing
Monte Azul is an ideal place to contemplate, disconnect, and focus on writing. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, film treatments, or mixed media, writers thrive in the privacy, comfort, and ideal climate at our riverside residency. Located in a lush, green valley, the center provides a serene haven from daily distractions, offering uninterrupted time and space for your creative work.
Each writer is hosted in a private suite with a dedicated studio, ensuring a peaceful environment to think and create. The natural beauty of the surrounding rainforest and the gentle rhythm of the river provide a constant source of inspiration. It is a sanctuary designed to nurture both the craft and the creator.
Printmaking
At Monte Azul, artists explore both traditional and experimental fine art printmaking. Our scale fosters deeper focus, stronger connections, and easy access to equipment. The setting encourages experimentation, personalized support, and collaboration, while reducing distractions and fatigue. They enjoy ¡ space and autonomy—which is ideal for creative growth.
Experienced artists may print independently or choose the guidance of the Master Printmaker to help them achieve their goals.
Monte Azul features a dedicated printmaking studio. Resident artists have 24-hour access to the facility which includes a 1978 Griffen large format (74 x 39 in | 188 x 100 cm) press for a number of printmaking techniques.
Paper & Pulp
For artists seeking texture and place, hand paper-making is a profound medium. It transforms foraged fibers like bromeliads or orchids into distinctive pulp, which is then formed by hand on a screen. Artists my embed organic textures and colors into each sheet, allowing full control of thickness, inclusions, and density. The result is a durable, tactile foundation—carrying the essence of its origin in every fiber.
Artists may request the guidance of paper-making expert Ileana Moya, who integrates nature directly into her art by creating her own inks and papers. Her mastery was refined over a decade at Milan’s Gráfica Uno and as a guest artist at NYU’s prestigious Krishna Reddy Atelier.
Ceramics
Our approach to ceramics at Monte Azul is to offer an opportunity to explore and experiment. As part of our commitment to support the local community, we have selected Santa Ana clay as our house product. A richly hued, iron-rich material native to Costa Rica’s Central Valley, Santa Ana clay is an ideal vehicle for work that does not require refined finishes. Due to its coarse texture and low plasticity, successful handling requires a solid foundation in ceramic techniques and a demonstrated ability to operate and manage kiln firings.
We invite experienced ceramicists to engage with this material through thoughtful experimentation, and to contribute to a growing dialogue around its creative potential and limitations.