BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — The Central American nation of Costa Rica is better known for its pristine beaches, cloud forests and abundant wildlife than for its contemporary art, but the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) is out to change that. Since 2021, BMAC has offered an annual trip to Costa Rica that introduces travelers to the country’s vibrant arts scene and — at the same time — provides valuable international exposure and connections to some of its leading artists.
Related artwork is on view at BMAC through June 16 in the museum’s Living Room. There, visitors can take in artwork by Carolina Guillermet, Mauricio Herrero, Rossella Matamoros, Philipp Anaskin, and others, along with examples of Costa Rican folk art, as well as photographs and original artwork by past participants in BMAC’s annual trips.
The deepening ties between BMAC and Costa Rica reflect the passion of Ken and Eve Klothen, part-time residents of Costa Rica and Guilford, Vermont. A former BMAC board member, Ken conceived of the annual trip, dubbed “Art, Craft, and Nature in Costa Rica,” after forging relationships with artists and art institutions in the capital city of San José and other parts of the country.
“It’s exciting to be able to meet the artists and talk with them about their inspiration, process and the challenges they face,” said Sarah Freeman, BMAC’s director of exhibitions, who accompanies the travelers each year. “Seeing work in the studio and having the opportunity to hear firsthand from the artist and learn about the context of the Costa Rican art world, it’s a really rare treat.”
“It’s a wonderful experience sharing my artistic work with visitors from Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, and I feel sincere gratitude for the curiosity and sensitivity of the travelers I met,” said Guillermet, a painter, fiber artist, and professor at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Costa Rica. “We have no other organized groups coming specifically to get to know our contemporary art and artists, so this type of experience reinforces our human ties and brings us closer.”
Herrero, a printmaker, runs Casa 49, a San José art studio and gallery that supports a community of artists. He has welcomed BMAC visitors since 2022.
“Young and emerging Costa Rican artists are introduced to U.S. art lovers and collectors, and in turn, the North Americans see work and meet artists still unknown in the U.S.,” Herrero said.
Painter, performance artist, and mixed-media creator Rossella Matamoros finds that hosting BMAC visitors and listening to their reactions to her work “makes me realize things about myself and my technique that at times, while doing it, I forget,” she said. “It’s very rewarding for me to have that kind of feedback.”
The next BMAC trip to Costa Rica will take place Jan. 12-22, 2025. Space is limited to 12 travelers. For more information and to register, visit brattleboromuseum.org.
