The Ultimate Guide to Art Galleries Monteverde Costa Rica

LA TIENDA TANGARA DE LA RESERVA MONTEVERDE

At the top of the mountain is the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. There is a large building that houses a restaurant, dormitory rooms and a souvenir shop called Tangara. The store is open every day from 7 am to 4 pm. It has a large selection of mostly nature-inspired products. The store is committed to buying Costa Rican and locally if possible. They have a variety of clothing, including rain ponchos and jackets, and many t-shirts – their policy is to not carry shirts that sport beer or commercial logos.

They carry wood items made only from wood that is not endangered; their books are mostly nature-based, and they have many books for children as well as a good selection of nature guides (many by Monteverde authors.) They have some binoculars and a variety of batteries for people who find themselves in this beautiful forest without the necessary technology to record the experience.

You can find more information about the store at www.cloudforestmonteverde.com. The phone number is 2645 5122, ext 3.

FAUNA GLASS

At the entrance to the Monteverde Reserve Store, you will usually find glassblower Angel Castellanos Gómez sitting at his table, creating exquisite animals with his torch and colorful glass.

He and his wife, Maria Nela, own a shop in the center of Santa Elena, but Angel spends many of his mornings at the Reserve, talking with visitors and showing them how glass blowing works. He donates a portion of his sales to conservation of local forests. His website is www.faunaglass.com

HUMMINGBIRD GALLERY

As you approach the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve parking lot, you will find one of the oldest souvenir shops and galleries in Monteverde, the Galeria Colibri or Hummingbird Gallery.

It is famous for the incredible number of hummingbirds who have been visiting the (constantly replenished) feeders since the 1980s. Just sitting and watching these busy birds is a wonderful way to spend hours, perhaps fueled by local-grown coffee and delicious snacks from the Santa Marta coffee shop next door.

The stars of the gallery are the original photographs of flora and fauna taken by Michael and Patricia Fogden, who lived for many years in Monteverde. They are international wildlife photographers originally from England and most recently based in Ecuador. There are also beautiful bowls sculpted out of reclaimed wood by Wilson Arce Mendez who lives in Palmares. The gallery carries a number of books, t-shirts and other souvenirs. The store is open each day from 8 am to 5 pm and the phone number is 2645 5030.

THE GUINDON FARM

Wolf and Lucky Guindon were a young newly-wedded couple when they came with the other Quakers to Costa Rica in 1950. They developed a dairy farm, raised eight children and continue to be active in the Friends meeting and community activities. Starting in the 1970s, Wolf became involved in the founding of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Monteverde Conservation League, while Lucky raised their children and took art classes. All of their children are either artistically inclined or involved in biology, conservation or teaching.

Lucky Guindon’s pen and ink drawings can be found in almost every home and building in the area. She creates them by sitting for hours and days in the forest, drawing in intricate detail the strangler figs and vegetation that abounds in this forest. She has both original works and prints for sale. Her prints can be found at the Foresta Gallery in Cerro Plano and at Libreria Chunches in Santa Elena.

Eldest daughter Helena Guindon paints beautiful acrylic scenes of the view over the Nicoya peninsula, forest trees and farm life. Although she has been living in the United States (where she runs art courses on occasion) for the last few years, there are still copies of her original works and some prints available at her parents’ home and at Foresta Gallery. More information about Helena’s art can be found at www.journeysendfarm.org

Benito Guindon runs the family farm, creating delicious cheeses and kefir from the goat and cow milk as well as a variety of fruit jellies. His creative force is strong and you never know what he will be into next, but one thing you can usually find at the house are his woven pine needle baskets. He makes unique plates, lidded baskets and Christmas tree decorations from long pine needles he collects locally. 

To arrange a time to view the Guindon family creations, you can call 2645 5862.

ROBERTO WESSON – JAGUAR ART HOUSE AND STUDIO

On the road that heads from Monteverde, past the entrance to the Guindon farm, to the picturesque valley of San Luis, you will find the Jaguar Art Studio. Roberto Wesson is a prolific painter who works mostly in oils and has sold his painting to collections around the world. His work covers many styles and techniques, from impressionism and expressionism to realism and surrealism, some based on photographic images and religious themes – with nature as a constant inspiration, reflecting Roberto’s years as a nature guide and his interest in ornithology and botany.

Roberto’s studio is in a lovely round building with natural light. You can visit and talk with him while he paints his big colorful canvases.

He also sells prints at Luna Azul (see below.) Another highlight of his place is the more than 300 species of miniature orchids (Costa Rica has 400 species) that are on display outside the gallery. The studio is open most days between 10 am and 6 pm, or you can call his cellphone at 8359 5249 to be sure that he is there.

Taking a walk or drive from Monteverde to San Luis, to see the beautiful views and stunning sunsets is a great way to spend an afternoon in Monteverde. Include a stop at the Guindon Farm (if someone is home) and the Jaguar Studio, which sits just 100 meters from where the views open out of the forest and sweep across the San Luis valley.

THE HOTEL FONDA VELA

Back on the main road, just below the turn off to San Luis, is the Hotel Fonda Vela. Although they don’t have a gift store, the whole hotel is one big art gallery, filled with the artwork of the patriarch of the family, Paul Smith. You will seldom stay in a hotel where there may be as many as twelve original paintings on the walls of your room, let alone in every public part of the hotel, including large murals that Paul painted on the building surrounding the swimming pool. Even if you are not a registered guest, going to the Fonda Vela just to see Paul’s artwork (and a few sculptures and paintings by others), as well as the views over the surrounding forest to the Pacific, is time well spent. Their website is www.fondavela.com

PAUL WARREN SMITH

Paul Smith is one of the most creative residents of Monteverde. He has been painting since the early 1970s and many of those paintings are on display at the Hotel Fonda Vela which is owned by his children. Born in China, but a Canadian citizen, his work reflects his international travels and his love for landscapes. He also does impressive portraits and still life.  In the last couple of years, Paul became inspired to make mosaics and many of these are hanging on the outside walls at the hotel. There are also carved wooden plaques and larger painted murals.

Paul is also a musician and has been making instruments for decades. He has made several violins, violas, cellos and a contra bass or two. Paul has a small workshop on his property near the Fonda Vela and if he is home he is very welcoming to visitors. In fact he will likely try to encourage you to help him on whatever his latest project is or to pick up an instrument and accompany him on his violin. paulwarrensmith.blogspot.com. Phone 2645-6056

MARGARET ADELMAN

Margaret is Paul Smith’s sister and is as multi-talented as her brother – she plays piano and recorder, hosts gatherings for singers and Shakespeare readings, she paints, sketches and writes.

Margaret was also the original force behind the famous Monteverde Music Festival back in 1992 which only happens sporadically these days. She creates beautiful writing paper, envelopes and calendars with her pen and ink drawings. Margaret has written a children’s book Once Upon an Island, which is available through Amazon.

LORNA SMITH

The third talented sibling of the family is Lorna Smith. Lorna shares her time between Monteverde and Washington State. She creates beautiful and functional ceramics in her small studio in Monteverde Centro. She sells her work at Wholefoods Monteverde and in the Foresta Gallery in Cerro Plano. She works with many different glazes and techniques which gives her a large repertory of work. Images of her work can be found on her website   http://lorna-smith-pottery.com

LA COLINA LODGE

Sitting in the “Y” of the road above the Monteverde Cheese Factory is La Colina Lodge. It is worth a mention for the spirit of creativity that prevails there. There are many examples of beautiful mosaics and fanciful painting on the furniture, floors and walls, mostly done by Nanci Johnson, the owner who is sometimes, but not always, in the house. They sporadically hold art fairs (feria de colores) in the yard, have workshops covering everything from food art to yoga and meditation, host musical events and serve delicious creative food. http://www.lacolinalodge.com

MAURICIO VALVERDE ARCE

When Mao isn’t managing La Colina Lodge, he is no doubt somewhere in the woods, or elsewhere, taking photographs. His photography celebrates the magic, beauty and design of the natural world, macro images of patterns and colors that the naked eye doesn’t always see, but Mao and his lens does. He has lent his hand as a designer to numerous venues here in the community. A series of his stunning photographs adorn the walls of the Monteverde Lodge and Gardens.https://www.facebook.com/mauricio.v.arce1

EDDA PACHECO – ANAHATA

Edda’s passion is found in her intricate drawings and fanciful jewelry. Anahata is her art line that comes from and expands with her heart onto cards, stones and paper. Her work can be found at the Luna Azul and Foresta Galleries. Edda’s cell is 8565 0965 and the Anahata Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/Anahata.monteverde

MARIE CHANTAL NADEAU

SHANTY is the brand of professional jewelry-maker Marie-Chantal Nadeau, a resident of Monteverde originally from Quebec, Canada. She works with precious metals and gemstones to create one of a kind pieces, custom designed and fabricated. She has a large portfolio with many pieces representing the exquisite nature seen in the Monteverde area. She also offers unique gemstones to jewelers mostly in Costa Rica. Her pieces are available at Luna Azul and Foresta Galleries in Monteverde. Marie also does custom work. You can see examples of her work on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Shantyjewelry

SARAH DOWELL

Sarah Dowell is one of the original and most prolific artists of Monteverde. She has been painting striking watercolors since the early 1970s. She lives in a rustic wooden house and gallery that is a short walk up behind the Monteverde Institute. There are signs at the corner (entrance to the Cheese Factory, Institute or Curi Cancha Reserve) that will lead you to her place. You can drive a vehicle part way but it is a very beautiful walk through the forest and her gallery is worth the effort. Sarah’s paintings range from exotic colorful flowers and animals to forest scenes and people, and she experiments with different styles which means her portfolio is large and varied. Her prices have stayed very reasonable for the unframed paintings that she packs in a cardboard roll to travel safely to your home. There is almost always someone at the house to receive you, but if you want to be sure that Sarah is there, you can call her at 2645 7624

MONTEVERDE CONSERVATION LEAGUE STORES

 The Monteverde Conservation League has been around since the late 1980s. It owns the largest private reserve in Costa Rica, The Children's Eternal Rain Forest (or BEN as it is known here.). They have an Information Center across from Luna Azul and a systems of trails with educational facilities at Bajo del Tigre, the entrance being between Monteverde Centro and the Cheese Factory. You can take part in workshops, hike in a lower elevation forest (not cloud forest), birdwatch, enjoy night hikes and also look at the gardens created by ProNativa featuring indigenous plants. In both the information center and at the entrance to Bajo del Tigre there are small gift shops. The products they carry are either directly related to BEN, t-shirts and hats, or books and educational materials related to the local forests and their conservation. The store at the Info Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the store at Bajo del Tigre is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. All the proceeds from the sales in these stores go to an endowment fund that supports the Children's Eternal Rain Forest, so your purchases are an eternal gift to the future of the forests in the Monteverde area. Their phone number is 2645 5003 and their website is www.acmcr.org.

MONTEVERDE ARTISTS’ COLLECTION

 In 2014, following the deaths of two of Monteverde’s favorite artists, Meg Wallace and Turid Forsyth, some of their friends and fellow artists got together and started the Monteverde Artists’ Collection. This is a collection of a sample of the works of local artists who wish to participate with the hope that one day there will be a Monteverde Art Museum. At this point, due to space, it only includes visual flat art, and the intention is to preserve examples of an individual’s work and make it available for anyone who wishes to view or study the art of Monteverde.

Presently there are 16 artists represented and there is a rotating exhibit in the lobby of the Hotel Belmar – besides Turid and Meg, Meg’s mother Stella Wallace and Marco Tulio Brenes, who have both recently moved out of the community, have works in the collection. The art will be housed and curated by Marlene Leiton Campbell in the Campbell Library at the Monteverde institute (open Monday to Friday 8-5.) For a donation of $100, you can purchase a painting and the proceeds will go toward keeping the permanent collection. 

CASEM (COOPERATIVE OF ARTISANS, SANTA ELENA, MONTEVERDE)

This cooperative was founded in 1982 by eight women and has grown to close to 100 members, including a few men. It is a non-profit organization that aims to provide income for local artisans, mostly working in their homes, who also gain self-esteem and independence as they support their families through the sale of their crafts.

The store, in Monteverde Centro, has a wide range of gifts – from decorative wall hangings and fabric bags, aprons and potholders, to clothing, unique woodwork, ceramics and jewelry – made from sustainable indigenous materials. The coop also offers workshops and training programs. It is open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm and Sunday 8-4. There is a café in the back that sells delicious “tipico” food, delivered at a “tipico” pace. You can email them at casemcr@yahoo.com or telephone 2645 5190.

PATRICIA JIMENEZ

Patricia Jiménez was one of the founders of CASEM and continues to be a powerful force behind many artistic and community initiatives in Monteverde and Santa Elena. She is a poet, an activist, a mentor and a gifted painter. Patricia does acrylic paintings, often with a nature theme but just as often guided by her social and spiritual beliefs. Patricia makes paper out of both natural fibres and recycled newsprint that then become notebooks. She paints fabric, working with other women who then sew with it. There are few people in the community who have not benefited in some way from Patricia’s guidance and from her beautiful artistic contributions including her poetry. She is generally too busy to take phone calls, but her work, and often herself, can be found at CASEM.

MONTEVERDE COFFEE SHOP

At this point of your art tour, you must be exhausted and in need of refreshment. The Café de Monteverde is in Monteverde Centro, near CASEM and right next door to Whole Foods Monteverde (where you can find Lorna Smith’s ceramics as well as food art such as Benito Guindon’s homemade cheeses; coconut yoghurt, homemade breads, and local chocolates from Café Cabure.) The Café serves delicious coffee that is grown and roasted locally by a cooperative farm in San Luis and in conjunction with Life Monteverde. This cooperative is about coffee, but also about a sustainable healthy community and educating people on environmentally conscious choices. The coffee in the café is prepared by artistic baristas who know their beans and brewing techniques. They have a sample of many local artist’s work on their walls. You can find more information at  http://www.lifemonteverde.com

Monteverde Centro is a wonderful place to shop, relax, refresh and watch the locals, who visit while watching their kids, who play while watching their dogs, who may look relaxed but are always keeping an eye on the tourists.

CASITAS DE RECICLAJE

While meandering through the Monteverde area, you may notice several small concrete structures that have been painted or covered with colorful mosaics. These are recycling collection centers and local artists such as Paul Smith, Hazel Guindon, and George Phillips have spent time beautifying them with the help of volunteers and the Environmental Education program from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Take a moment to enjoy these community art-in-the-environment projects.

MARCO TULIO BRENES

Marco Tulio grew up in San Luis with art in his soul. He was taught from a young age how to work with wood. He developed his many artistic skills over the years, studying under some of the best artists in Costa Rica and the United States. He eventually had his own studio/gallery in Monteverde, ArtesTulio, which displayed his sculptures, paintings and drawings. He is currently in Spain and so the gallery isn’t open but there are samples of his art in many buildings in the community. Monteverde is anxious for his (and his family’s) return! To view examples of his original work you can visit his page at https://www.facebook.com/artestulio


CASA ALQUIMIA ARTES

The Casa Alquimia B&B is an art workshop, gallery and family-run hostel situated in central Monteverde. It is owned by artists Tarsicio Castillo and his wife Marianela who are from Ecuador but have been living in Monteverde for many years. They have created a very serene but sociable space with private rooms featuring beds for thirteen people and a shared kitchen. They welcome volunteers who will help them complete this on-going project and also guests who want to take part in workshops on painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawings, and jewelry making, using recycled materials such as seeds, bamboo, and leather. You can reach them at 8970 7760.

LUNA AZUL

On the main road to Monteverde, at the corner of the road to the Hotel Belmar and the “bomba” (gas station), sits Luna Azul. It is a unique clothing and jewelry store with a few other products such as books, aromatherapy, semi-precious stones, fossils, crystals, and ceramics. Almost everything in the store is made in Costa Rica, but they do buy original work from travellers passing through. They carry two Costa Rican clothing designers: Jenny Salas, from Grecia, whose brand is Frayel; and Yamileth Lopez, a local woman, whose brand is Yaloco. They also carry several local jewelers including Shanty (we have already talked about); Raquel Bogani, Javier Pixao and Diego Rodriguez whose line of jewelry is known as Cultural Trival. The store is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm, except Sundays when it opens at 10:30. For clothes shopping it is the best place around, as Stefy Rodriguez is very good at helping you choose just the right piece for yourself or as a gift. Their phone is 2645-6638, and their Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/lunaazulmonteverde

DIEGO RODRIGUEZ CALDERON

There is a good chance that you will run into Diego while you are visiting Monteverde. He is one of the very friendly guys behind the desk at Pension Santa Elena, he is DJ ShakaBrah who puts on a reggae night every Wednesday at Green Park Tavern as well as hosting a reggae radio show Saturday afternoons on Monteverde community radio (www.monteverde.fm)

However, here we are talking about his beautiful macramé jewelry line known as Cultural Trival. Mixing multi-hued stones and cord with a multitude of macramé techniques, Diego’s necklaces and bracelets are unique. https://www.facebook.com/CulturaTrival








FORESTA GALLERY

A little further down the road toward Santa Elena is a magical gallery called Foresta – you will know it by the large red mask outside (created by another very creative Monteverde resident Patrick Moore.) Opened by three local women in 2014, the number of artists it represents has grown from a few in the Monteverde area to several national artists as well. The products range from batiks to clothing to jewelry to aromatherapy and beyond. The owners, Paula Nijamkin, Milagros Rodriguez and Yamileth Lopez, have all been creators of stunning original art for many years. They also sell Café Paraiso coffee which is sustainably grown and roasted in nearby San Luis. The store is open seven days a week from 10 am to 6 pm and generally one of the artists is on hand. Their phone number is 2645-6081 and you can find them on Facebook under Foresta Monteverde.

PAULA NIJAMKIN

Paula is originally from Argentina but has been a creative force in the Monteverde area for over fifteen years. She specializes in an ancient Japanese technique, Rozome, which uses waxes and dyes to paint silk into ethereal batik wall hangings and scarves as well as fabric-covered notebooks. She also makes hand braided fabric floor mats.

MILAGROS RODRIGUEZ

Originally a graphic designer from Peru but a Monteverde resident of more than fifteen years, Mili has been involved in numerous artistic projects over the years, sharing her talent and passion with many. She designs yoga clothing that she has made with Peruvian cotton by Peruvian weavers, creating a line known as Asana Yoga. She also makes ceramics that she fires in her wood kiln at her home in San Luis. Her clothing is also available in Nosara.

YAMILETH LOPEZ

In 2010, Yamileth started her design company called Yaloco. Growing up in a small community near Monteverde, she was taught in school about the need to be kind to the environment and several years ago she developed a technique to create purses and wallets with recycled tire rubber. She also makes incredible one-of-a-kind clothing with deconstructed used clothing and fabrics. Her creations can be found in Foresta and Luna Azul as well as stores in San Jose and Puerto Viejo. https://www.facebook.com/yaloco

MONTEVERDE ART HOUSE

Another beautiful shop and gallery to visit in the Cerro Plano neighbourhood, Bertalía Rodriguez opened its doors about eleven years ago. First as her personal art studio then as a place for workshops, a gallery for her and her family’s original artwork, and finally as a shop that carries unique work “hecho con amor” as Bertalia describes it. There is a lovely garden with a gazebo and walking trails that you can enjoy. The Art House welcomes creativity every time it walks in the door! The store is open seven days a week during high season from 9 am to 6 pm. 2645-5275 https://www.monteverdearthouse.com

BERTALIA RODRIGUEZ

Born in Atenas and trained as a psychologist, Bertalía followed her husband, a local man, to Monteverde in 1977. She came in the after-wave of two artists, Bill Kucha and Ron Tomlinson, who had inspired and taught many Monteverdians to develop their creative skills. She joined in with other locals in workshops and shared spaces of creativity. Bertalía was one of the founders of CASEM (see above). She works in watercolors, sculpture, paper-maché and whatever other medium excites her.  Bertalía can be found most days, being creative, at the Monteverde Art House.

SUMAG EL INCA

At the top of the steep hill coming out of Santa Elena is a small but well-stocked store specializing in South American products. It is a family run business, the de la Torre family arriving from Ecuador about fifteen years ago. They make a number of the products themselves – hats, scarves and bags – and import colorful wool and cotton clothing, blankets and hammocks from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Other stores in the area carry some of these kinds of products, but only this shop has as large of a selection. They are open every day from about 10 a.m. till 8 or 9 in the evening. You can call them at 2645 6738 to make sure they are open.

MONTEVERDE COMMERCIAL CENTER OR ‘THE MALL’

There are several businesses in the mall worth checking out including the Saturday morning Farmers’ Market. However, the shops change regularly and so we leave you to discover the place on your own. The artistic part of the mall, which is also where the buses from San José and Puntarenas arrive and depart from, are the large murals painted by Roberto Wesson (see above). A stroll around the parking lot to see the massive colorful hummingbird, toucan, manakins and forest scenes is definitely worth the time and they make an excellent backdrop for photographs.

CHOCO CAFÉ DON JUAN

Across from the entrance to the mall is the Choco Café Don Juan. Besides delicious fresh roasted and brewed coffees from the family-owned Don Juan Coffee farm and delectable desserts and chocolates made on site, they also have a small gift shop that carries coffee-related items, some local products such as aprons and soap, and jewelry. It is a great place to sit while waiting for a bus, to enjoy fine coffee with a dessert, lunch or an early dinner. 2645-7444. Choco cafe is open 8 am to 7 pm every day. Their website is:   http://www.chococafedonjuan.com/

LIBRERIA CHUNCHES

Chunches is a book, art and office-supply store in the heart of Santa Elena. You can find school supplies, a variety of paints, pens and paper, printer inks, camera accessories and much more.  You can make copies here. There is a selection of souvenirs and gifts as well as books for adults and children. Chunches carries many cookbooks, children’s story books, and field guides, in both English and Spanish, by national and local authors. They also carry a variety of pocket-field guides, inexpensive quick references of birds, mammals, amphibians, plants and fish that have been laminated to stand up to the often damp muddy conditions you find in the rainforest. Many of these have been illustrated by Monteverdian artists. Below is a bit of information about some of the local authors and you can find their books in a number of local stores. Chunches is open every day from 8 am to 6 pm. The phone number is 2645-5147.

MARK WAINWRIGHT

Mark is a British naturalist, artist and writer who has lived in Monteverde since 1991. He wrote and illustrated the Natural History of Costa Rican Mammals, as well as a children’s book, Jungle Jumble and illustrated a number of the pocket-field guides including mammals, amphibians and reptiles. He has co-produced a number of natural history videos and his smooth voice can be heard narrating videos made in the area.

ROBERT DEAN

Another import from England, Robert has lived in Costa Rica since the early 1990s. After a successful career as a musician, he became passionate about ornithology and has illustrated a number of pocket-field guides of birds in Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Belize and Florida. He is the illustrator of The Birds of Costa Rica (First and Second Edition) and The Birds of Panama: A Field Guide. Robert can often be found in area venues playing guitar with his local band Chanchos de Monte or jamming with other musicians of the area.

WILLOW ZUCHOWSKI

Willow is from the US but has been living in Monteverde since the early 1980s. She is a botanist, ecologist, nature guide and author/illustrator. She is also the founder of ProNativas, an organization that is concerned with educating gardeners, landscapers and plant nurseries with the importance of utilizing native species. Willow has written and/or illustrated a number of books including Tropical Plants of Costa Rica: A Guide to Native and Exotic Flora (with Turid Forsyth) and An Introduction to Cloud Forest Trees (with William Haber); she has also illustrated pocket-field guides to Tropical Trees and Tropical Blossoms of Costa Rica. www.pronativas.org

NALINI NADKARNI

A long-time researcher and part-time resident in Monteverde, Nalini is a professor at the University of Utah in the Biology department, and her passion and expertise is forest ecology. She is the presenter on at least three TED-talks and the author of a number of scientific papers and books, most recently Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connections to Trees. With Nathaniel Wheelwright, Nalini edited Monteverde: Ecology and Conservation of a Tropical Cloud Forest which brings together the research of biologists, ecologists and natural historians in Monteverde. It was recently translated into Spanish. www.nalininadkarni.com

KAY CHORNOOK

A Canadian who arrived in Monteverde in 1990, Kay spent years following one of the original Quakers of the area, Wolf Guindon, through his beloved cloud forest. She gave him a tape recorder and spent many more years transcribing the stories that he told to the machine. The result is a lyrical non-fiction book called Walking with Wolf: Reflections on a life spent protecting the Costa Rican wilderness. It documents the history of the Quakers who came from Alabama and founded the community of Monteverde. It then colorfully relates Wolf’s involvement in the conservation of the forest as a founder of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Monteverde Conservation League and his tales as the first forest guard in the area with a great passion for simply being in the forest.  The book is to be published in Spanish in May 2015. kaychornook@gmail.com

RODRIGO CADIZ – SOLAMARILLO

Across from Chunches, on the outside deck of the Pension Santa Elena and Taco Taco Taqueria, you can almost always find Rodrigo. Chilean by birth but with many years in Monteverde, he sells his beautiful macramé jewelry under the name “Solamarillo”. At times he is joined by other “street artists”, making the Pension Santa Elena a very enjoyable place to hang out, where you can eat delicious tacos, listen to the eclectic mix of music being played in the pension, visit with travelers from around the world and perhaps even do a little shopping.

BANCO NACIONAL ART MURAL

Next door to Taco Taco, at the entrance to the Banco Nacional, is a wall that has been dedicated to raising consciousness about sustainability through art. There is a three-year contract between the BN and CIEE (Center for International Educational Exchange) under the mentorship of local artist Ana Ovares. Using recycled materials, and through the mediums of mosaic, painting and poetry, the purpose is to get people thinking about what they are consuming and what they are wasting. Every six months, when new CIEE students come for a semester of courses on sustainability, Ana involves some of them in another project that looks at different aspects of community life, but always within the theme of awareness about trash and consumerism. It is well worth stopping to see the work by Ana and the students, and to reflect on your own consumption and waste patterns.

ANA MARIA OVARES UGALDE

Ana Ovares grew up in the Monteverde area and has been creating art all her life. She is also a holistic practitioner and runs the “macrobiotica” store that is across from the Supercompro. Besides being a massage and holistic health therapist, and a poet, Ana describes her creations as “conscious art” which she expresses through ceramics, painting, mosaics, sculpture, and candle-making. She can be found most days at her Holistic Healing Arts & Medicine store which is open from 8 am to 6:30 pm except Sundays. You can call her at 2645-6035 or her cell 8804-2772.

GLASS ART STUDIO

Near the beginning of this guide to the arts, we talked about Angel Castellanos and Fauna Glass. The Glass Art Studio is Angel and his wife Maria Nela’s store in the center of Santa Elena. Angel is present most afternoons creating delicate glass animals which they pack securely for transport. They also carry books, clothing, jewelry and other souvenirs. The store is open 11 am to 8 pm every day. You can phone 2645-7598 or visit their website at http://www.faunaglass.com/

SOUVENIRS CAMINO VERDE AND SELVATURA

Since this is mostly meant as a guide to the arts and artists of the Monteverde area, we will not linger on the stores that are basically souvenir shops, but two of the biggest ones in downtown Santa Elena are Selvatura and Camino Verde, which are both also tour offices. Every kind of souvenir can be found in these stores and they are almost always open.

In Costa Rica there are many musicians in many genres who have CDs available. You will find these CDs in many of the shops. Beyond the more obvious sounds of salsa, meringue and cumbia, you can find recordings by Costa Rican artists of classical, jazz, calypso, contemporary Costa Rican or nueva cancion, traditional, rock, reggae, as well as many videos. The CD Simbiosis, by pianist Manual Obregon, was recorded here in the Monteverde cloud forest and incorporates the musical sounds of nature with lyrical piano melodies. Please take a few minutes to listen to some music from this country and support the talented musicians by buying a CD or 3.

WOODS ART GALLERY

In the same building as, and part of the same business as the food market, Supercompro, is the Woods Art Gallery. This large store has many of the same souvenirs you will find in the other souvenir shops as well as a large t-shirt and hat collection, but it also has a large selection of Costa Rican wood art on the top floor. It is worth going upstairs to take a look at, and maybe purchase, the many different wood sculptures, some larger than life, and the more traditional wooden bowls, canisters and utensils. You will also find masks, paintings and other sculptures. 2645-6668. It is open all day, every day.

VITOSIS TIENDA Y FARMACIA

Another significant business in Santa Elena is Vitosis Store and Pharmacy. We include it here because it carries a number of items that you may not find elsewhere, including clothing and shoes, fabrics and camera equipment. This is the only pharmacy in the area and you can have a consultation with the pharmacist and purchase many medicines without a doctor’s prescription. Vitosis probably has the best selection of towels in the area, a popular souvenir item as they are colorful depictions of wildlife, iconic images and Costa Rican money. There are also many hammocks and tshirts. It is open seven days a week. Tel 2645-5004

DEPORTES ANDREY

A couple of doors down from Vitosis is a small but packed sports store, Deportes Andrey. It is very much a store meant for “deportistas” and carries good quality clothes and shoes, particularly for soccer players. They also carry bags and equipment for camping and cycling. The reason we mention it here is that with the rise in popularity of “futbol” and the Costa Rican national team’s success in the 2014 World Cup, many people have taken an interest in finding national team uniform shirts and this is a good place to look.  They also have water bottles and mugs with team logos. The store is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6:30 pm. You can call them at 2645-6187. GOOOAAALLLL!

ARTESANIA EL TEPEZCUINTLE

On the road that runs behind Bar Amigos (or follow the steps below Supercompro and past Quimera Restaurant and turn left) is a rustic little shop that specializes in seed and bead jewelry. Graciano Ramon makes most of the jewelry himself. He is originally from Cartago and arrived in Santa Elena about 12 years ago and opened his shop in the front of his house. He does carry some other artisans’ work but you can be assured you will see a variety of seeds and natural products put to good use in the jewelry he sells. He is open every day from 9 am to 7:30 pm. You can reach him at 8557 3810.

COMING INTO MONTEVERDE: GUACIMAL

When you leave the Panamerican Highway and head toward Monteverde, you will pass through the little community of Guacimal. We want to mention a new venture that started this last year that is proving to be a hotbed of cultural and community activity. The Sustainability Demonstration Center, also known as La Casona de Guacimal, began in 2014 as a refurbishing of this beautiful building that was a hub of activity decades ago but has sat empty for the last twenty years or so. Verónica and Alexander, originally from Monteverde, bought it with the intention of opening it to the community. There is now a Saturday Farmers’ Market, workshops, a petting zoo and a small gallery of local artists such as sculptor David Villalobos, in and around this cultural center. You can contact them at 2647-1057 or stop by when passing through Guacimal. 

SOUVENIR ROSEWOOD

If you come to the Monteverde area from Tilarán, you pass through the outlying community of Cañitas where the signs will start telling you that you have arrived in Monteverde. It is well worth a stop (or it is also possible to walk, drive or taxi there from Santa Elena) to see not just the shop, but the property of Licho and Danis, a friendly creative tico couple. Licho is a master woodworker, turning bowls, canisters and plates out of different woods from trees that have fallen down naturally. His favorite is rosewood, or cocobolo, and thus the name of the shop. Danis makes jewelry, mostly out of recycled materials, including paper, seeds, cans, flowers and copper wire rescued from microwaves.

Not only is their store packed with wonderful wood creations and jewelry, but Licho will be more than happy to take you on a walk through his finca,past the coffee bushes, pointing out the different species of trees and proudly showing you the myriad of orchids that he has. It is a short walk through the garden to his woodshop where he will show you how to turn a bowl on the lathe. He only uses beeswax on his wood pieces so they are safe for food; he returns the wood sawdust as composted mulch to his garden. It is impossible not to get caught up in his enthusiasm and friendly approach to sharing this little piece of the Costa Rican campo with tourists. In old-fashioned typical tico-style, Licho and Danis open their home and hearts to you for free. You can call them at 2645 6456 to arrange a time to have a tour, or you can just stop by. We highly recommend that you go – it may be one of your favorite memories from Costa Rica.

COSMÉTICOS NATURALES MONTEVERDE

Located in San Luis, the Vargas Torres family (Margarita, Noé and their three children) produce high quality natural cosmetics which you can buy in many different stores in the area as well as through their webpage. The soaps are made with a vegetable oil (olive or sunflower) base and distinct ingredients such as organic coffee from their farm, citrus, medicinal herbs, chocolate and honey. There are also avocado oil creams and the family continues to develop more personal beauty products. You can find information on their website at www.monteverdebeauty.com, on their Facebook page Cosméticos Naturales Monteverde or you can contact them at 2645 6344 or monteverdenc@gmail.com 

WE TRIED TO INCLUDE AS MANY LOCAL ARTISTS AS POSSIBLE (APOLOGIES TO ANYONE WHO HAS ACCIDENTLY BEEN LEFT OUT!) PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD YOUR CRAFT OR ART SHOP HERE!