Monte Azul Center for the Arts
Experts at Monte Azul
Our experts are available to artists who come to explore new techniques or who require assistance in realizing their projects. Resident artists at Monte Azul may choose to contract an expert in Printmaking, Fiber & Paper making, and Ceramics.
Standard packages $900 are for three (3) days of private sessions, four (4) hours daily, including most materials. Some materials may call for additional costs.
Master Printmaker
Salomón Isaac Cháves Badilla
Cháves is an expert on contemporary and historical printing techniques, having developed and patented through the Univerity of Costa Rica with research performed in Spain and Morocco, the technique of using leather as an engraving surface called corium engraving.
For artists exploring printing techniques, he is available as a Master Printer in any number of techniques and actively recommends collagraph and woodblock for residencies. The immediacy of results with collagraph grants artists the opportunity to use natural materials found in the rainforest at Monte Azul. While onsite, Cháves also recommends woodblock due to the opportunity of working on readily available local tropical hardwoods, such as pochote, coffee wood, guava, among others, that offer a superior working surface and durability.
Professional positions
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Professor of Print Design and Basic Design. Department of Fine Arts, University of Costa Rica
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Researcher II Art Research Institute
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Master Printer, Conservator, and Principal. Arenal Studio, San José, Costa Rica
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Master Printer, Monte Azul Center for the Arts, Costa Rica
Academic Training
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PhD Fine Arts from the Complutense University of Madrid. Spain.
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Certified Conservator, School of Art and Antiques, Madrid. Spain.
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BA Educational Sciences with an Emphasis in Teaching, State Distance University, San José, Costa Rica.
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BA Fine Arts Engraving. University of Costa Rica, San José.
Master Papermaker
Ileana Moya Meoño
Artists can work alongside master papermaker Ileana Moya, whose practice is rooted in the natural world. She transforms locally gathered fibers—from bromeliads to orchids—into unique, handmade papers and inks, creating tactile sheets imbued with the essence of their source.
Her expertise is built on five years of dedicated research at the University of Costa Rica, with additional experience offering extensive international workshops with renowned paper artists, and a specialization in converting banana fiber into premium papers for global markets. For artists seeking a profound connection to material and place, her guidance offers deep immersion in texture, color, and form. Ileana’s innovative techniques have been showcased in over fifteen solo exhibitions throughout her distinguished career.
Professional positions
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Professor, School of Visual Communication, National University, Heredia, Costa Rica
Courses: Paper Techniques, Art Teaching History, Marketing for Artists -
Research Collaborator, Fiber Project
School of Plastic Arts & Faculty of Engineering, University of Costa Rica -
Consultant, Banana Paper Production & Conversion, Heredia, Costa Rica
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High School Art Teacher (AP Art Specialist), Accredited by the U.S. College Board
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Instructor, Paper Techniques, Monte Azul Arts Center, Costa Rica
Academic Training
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M.A. in Teaching, American University (UAM), San José, Costa Rica
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B.A. in Printmaking, School of Plastic Arts, University of Costa Rica
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Guest Artist, Master Workshop with Krishna Reddy, New York University, USA
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Research: "Two Fibers for Papermaking", School of Plastic Arts, University of Costa Rica