Locos Art Gallery Opening

When you think about Panamanian art, you probably think first about the mola. These multi-layered cloth designs are part of the Kuna's traditional dress, but the designs were originally painted directly on the body. Of course, you can purchase a mola at any souvenir shop in Panama; they make beautiful decorations for your home or gifts for your friends not fortunate enough to visit this country! Panama has also given birth to its share of world-renowned artists like Antonio Jose Guzman and Alfredo Sinclair, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 98. His daughter, Olga Sinclair, is also an artist, and she recently organized a world-record painting event. On January 18, 5,084 children aged 1-18 got together and painted the mural "2014: un siglo uniendo al mundo" in celebration of 100 years of the Panama Canal.

There are many other artists living in Panama today. Some are famous, some are not; some are native Panamanian, others are ex-pats who have continued to share their love of painting, drawing, and sculpture in their new home. You can see some of this work on display at various restaurants or at the markets in El Valle, Boquete, and Coronado.

This rich creativity is one of the things that makes our community so special. Locos Panama wishes to encourage and foster the continual growth of the little art world in Coronado. Recently, Coronado International School students did paintings in the styles of some famous artists, and they now hang on the Locos ceiling! If you would like to contribute to the arty ceiling, send an email to amanda@locospanama.com. Locos will supply the canvas if you supply the artistic brilliance!

Locos is also opening an Art Gallery on March 14. Artists are welcome to submit a work of art in any medium for inclusion in the gallery. The only specification is that it must be able to be comfortably displayed in the restaurant -- if it's too big, it can't be displayed! Customers will be invited to vote for their favorites between March 14 and April 11 by putting their Locos receipt into a box next to their favorite piece of art. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place artists as chosen by the Locos loyal customers.

On April 11, the gallery will close and artists who choose to participate will sell their work in a silent auction. 40% of the proceeds will go back to the artist, and 60% will go toward a local organization of the artist's choice.