Las Nubes Project

As part of their professional and cultural immersion in Costa Rica, the students of the Global Eco Arts Residency course, led by professors Brandon Vickerd and Laura, visited TEOR/éTica, the renowned independent platform for contemporary art, critical thought, and interdisciplinary research founded by visionary Costa Rican artist, curator, and scholar Virginia Pérez-Ratton.

Grounded in Virginia’s enduring commitment to expanding artistic discourse throughout Latin America, TEOR/éTica has established itself as a vital space for editorial innovation, experimental methodologies, collaborative inquiry, and ethical engagement within contemporary creative practice.

During the visit, students explored TEOR/éTica’s dynamic integration of theory, ethics, artistic production, and independent publishing, gaining deeper insight into how critical frameworks can contribute to sustainable cultural development and socially engaged artistic research.

This experience provided participants with valuable perspective on the role of contemporary art institutions in fostering intellectual exchange, empowering creative communities, and challenging conventional boundaries through reflective practice.

The founder's vision continues to resonate through TEOR/éTica’s work, reaffirming its significance as a pioneering force in contemporary art, regional dialogue, and the cultivation of resilient cultural networks.
Photos: Alixa González

On May 15th, the Global Eco Arts Residency course, led by professors Laura Levin and Brandon Vickerd, participated in a valuable cultural exchange experience in Costa Rica.

As part of the program, they visited the National Theatre, exploring one of the country’s most iconic historical and cultural landmarks.

They also attended a talk at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, presented by Imme Huttmann and Sofía Villena (head curator), who shared perspectives on creative processes, migration, identity, memory, grief, and transnational family connections through contemporary approaches.

The discussion encouraged reflection on how art, personal experience, and research can intertwine to address themes of absence, belonging, and long-distance relationships.

This experience strengthened the group’s learning, expanding their understanding of art and culture as tools for global dialogue, social awareness, and community connection.

As part of their professional and cultural development in Costa Rica, the Global Eco Arts Residency course, led by professors Laura Levin and Brandon Vickerd, visited satis.FACTORY, an independent contemporary art platform founded by Erika Martin Arroyo that is dedicated to strengthening local artistic practice, interdisciplinary research, creative collaboration, and meaningful community engagement.

During the visit, Shannon Garden(York University PhD Student) , as a residency participant, reflected on how this experience has challenged her to step beyond her comfort zone, engage with unfamiliar materials, expand her creative methodologies, and critically examine the lasting impact of her artistic practice.

Through dialogue with the satis.FACTORY team and collaborators, participants gained valuable insight into how this space operates as a dynamic creative incubator—supporting experimentation, shared resources, collective learning, and sustainable artistic innovation.

Erika Martin Arroyo’s vision, combined with Shannon’s lived residency experience, underscored the transformative role of these programs in cultivating both personal and professional growth while strengthening essential connections between art, research, and community.

This visit reinforced satis.FACTORY’s significance as a forward-thinking model for contemporary artistic development, collaborative inquiry, and the creation of resilient cultural networks.
Photos:Alixa González

Today, the Environmental Arts and Food Sovereignty course, led by Professor Martha Stiegman, visited the Pérez Zeledón Farmers Market as part of a hands-on learning experience focused on food sovereignty and local food systems.

During the visit, students had the opportunity to interact with local producers, learn more about the origin of fresh foods, and reflect on key aspects such as product availability, pricing, and sourcing in comparison to conventional grocery stores 🍅🥬🌽

The fresh ingredients selected during the visit were later used in a cooking class led by Ana Arias, who guided the group in preparing a traditional Costa Rican meal, connecting culture, food, and experiential learning 🇨🇷👩‍🍳

This experience strengthened the connection between community, local production, and education, while promoting a more conscious understanding of food systems, sustainability, and the importance of supporting those who grow our food. 💚
Photos: Daniel Zuñiga & Alixa González

As part of the local biological corridor committee, we are pleased to support initiatives that strengthen environmental education and the care of our natural spaces 🌿♻️