No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveSkené Foundation hosts alternative gift fair

Skené Foundation hosts alternative gift fair

artferia 4

Under her pseudonym “Ishtar,” Hellen Guillén Valverde makes every kind of jewelry imaginable.


Robert Isenberg

It was a great idea: Invite artists from across San José to show off their handmade works. Dub it the “alternative gift fair,” to attract Christmas shoppers. Host the event in the Antigua Aduana (old customs house), a colossal brick warehouse in Barrio Carmen that is often used for big events. Raise awareness of the Skené Foundation, a nonprofit organization that produces and promotes a variety of arts and events, most recently its own theatrical rendition of “The Kama Sutra,” performed in San Pedro.

Although organizers hoped the event would draw art lovers from all over the city, foot-traffic was a little slow last Wednesday, and participants looked a little disappointed. “There wasn’t a lot of advertising,” admitted one artist. “Just on Facebook. People typically come on the weekend, not during the week.” She had already booked a spot at a street fair next week, and added she looked forward to it.

There were other deterrents as well: the four-day fair was scheduled from Tuesday to Friday, starting at 11 a.m. and going until 11 p.m., when most people are working or commuting. Skené booked a band for each evening, but the customs house is more like an airplane hangar than a music venue.

Still, artists seemed eager to unveil their works, and the room was lined with about 50 foldout tables. For patrons who were lucky enough to visit, artists showcased an impressive range of products and materials, from baked goods to clothing.

“It’s either this or a call center,” said Juan C. Flores Hine, a multimedia artist. Hine wore a patch over his eye, owing to debris in his studio. When asked whether the patch bothered him, he said, “It’s worth it.”

The fair continues through Friday, Dec. 6.

artferia 5

Silvia Monge Fioravanti makes her own paper, then binds the leaves into diaries. Like many bookworms, Fioravanti shied away from the camera.


Robert Isenberg

artferia 7

Marilyn Montero Zeledón is a multifaceted seamstress, but she also designs outfits specifically for Barbie dolls. Sound eccentric? Her mother did the same for 30 years.


Robert Isenberg

artferia 1

A microphone awaits use on a temporary stage at the Alternative Gift Fair.


Robert Isenberg

artferia 8

Sculptor Gabriela Rojas uses the most unique material of all: bovine horns. From the bony material she creates all kinds of Costa Rican animals.


Robert Isenberg

artferia 3

They look like metal or wood, but Luis Huayamave’s sculptures are made from shaped paper.


Robert Isenberg

Trending Now

A Costa Rica Expat and the Devil on His Shoulder

Everyone has a dark side—that little devil in your conscience that says, go ahead and do it! even though you know it’s wrong. It...

Tsunami Alerts in Latin America After 8.8 Quake in Russia

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast on Wednesday, one of the most powerful quakes ever recorded, triggering tsunamis with waves up...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

Costa Rica Tops Latin America in Attracting Foreign Millionaires

Costa Rica is a country that attracts millionaires. Projections indicate that by the end of 2025, a total of 350 foreign millionaires will have...

Can Costa Rica’s Blue Zone Preserve Its Longevity Legacy?

The Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica is recognized worldwide as one of the five blue zones, where people live beyond the age of 90...

Honduras Reinstates Mask Mandate Amid Rise in Respiratory Illnesses

Honduran health officials have reinstated a nationwide mask mandate following a spike in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and a fast-spreading Omicron subvariant known...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica