Cuenca’s ‘Open Studios Art Walk’ is looking for artists and art lovers

Meet Cara Venn.

Before moving to Ecuador in March 2014, Cara lived in India for five years where she sponsored the Art 4 Kids, India! program that taught over 150 Tibetan and Indian children. After relocating to her new home in Cuenca, she decided to offer a community venue for intercultural creative expression and launched the Four Rivers Center for the Creative Arts in May.

An art class at Four Rivers Center for the Creative Arts in Cuenca.

Since then, five other artists have joined the Center. Four Rivers provides opportunities for exhibitions, juried shows, musical events, classes, expressive movement, movie nights, and many other artistic activities.

Cara is presently organizing Cuenca’s first “Open Studios Art Walk,” on Thursday, October 1, in the city’s historic district.

If you are an artist and would like to participate, here is how it works.

When you participate as an artist, you will open your studio to the public during the hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you do not have a studio or live in El Centro, it may be possible for you to exhibit your art in an El Centro café, restaurant, shop, or gallery (contact for details).

A map of Cuenca’s historic district highlighting your studio and a description of the kind of art you create will be available at various cultural and public venues throughout the city before the event. Using the map, art enthusiasts will be able to chose from among the participating artists and visit those locations.

A painting, “Untitled” by Cara Venn.

It is suggested that you offer refreshments to your visitors and be engaged in creating art during the Open Studios Art Walk. You might also want to have brochures and/or business cards available and a nice selection of your art on display for sale.

To participate in the Open Studios Art Walk on October 1, email Cara Venn or Emma Tamay at CuencaArtWalk@gmail.com before August 28. Please include a short bio and images of your work. If you are a business owner in El Centro and would like to participate by opening your venue to an artist, we would love to hear from you.

There is no cost other than an initial donation of $3 to $5 to cover printing and distribution.

Cara is seeking volunteers to design and distribute the publicity for this event. If you can help, kindly contact her at CuencaArtWalk@gmail.com.

Venn has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago and a Masters in Fine Art from the Arts & Consciousness program at John F. Kennedy University. She has worked as a transpersonal, body-centered psychotherapist and registered expressive arts therapist. She is a professional visual artist. Her artwork has been in many exhibitions, juried shows, and private collections.