In early 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in the Community Arts Residency hosted by Muse Arts in Quimbaya, Quindío, Colombia. After several years of considering this program, I finally joined, and it became a transformative experience for my artistic and professional development.
The residency brought together artists from Mexico, the Philippines, Canada, Cuba, and Colombia in an immersive cultural and artistic exchange grounded in the theme of dreams. Over the course of twelve days, we engaged in workshops, collaborative art-making, site-specific explorations, and community dialogues. We shared our stories and artistic practices, learned from each other’s perspectives, and connected deeply with the residents.
Living in the coffee-growing region of Quindío offered a unique opportunity to learn from the land, the culture, and the traditions of the Colombian community. The lush green landscapes, the warmth of the people, and the region’s strong connection to ancestral knowledge shaped my experience and inspired my work.
This residency allowed me to nurture myself as an artist, pause to reflect on my practice, and explore the role of art in building bridges across cultures. The collective imagination and co-creation fostered during the residency encouraged me to consider how dreams—personal, political, and ancestral—can guide us toward healing and transformation. I left Colombia feeling enriched, inspired, and grateful for the solidarity and artistic experimentation that Muse Arts cultivates.
