Living in Peru : your everyday companion

“First,” says Fátima McKinley, wife of U.S. Ambassador to Peru, with enthusiasm and pride, “if you want to know about Noche de Arte, you have to know about USEA.”
USEA is the United States Embassy Association and was created thirty years ago by US embassy employees.
It is a non-profit organization that is aimed at supporting charities and spreading the “good-will and volunteer-ism of the American people” throughout Perú.
USEA was created about 10 years after Noche de Arte began, and it held a pivotal role in the increasing importance and visibility of Peru’s largest and most important tribute to art.

Noche de Arte was created by a group of women that had formed the American Women’s Association. These women were generally married to Peruvians and were living in Lima permanently. They decided to work together to celebrate art, specifically Peruvian art, and they formed Noche de Arte.
Today, Noche de Arte is a four night event in which various pieces of artwork by many different artists is put on display, and later sold. Forty percent of the money from the sale of the pieces, as well as the entry fees, is eventually donated to designated charities. The goal of Noche de Arte is not only to support various non-profits, and those people who need the most assistance in Peru, but it also focuses on the support of Peruvian artists.
Fátima explains that Noche de Arte has a panel which receives applications from artists throughout Peru. While the artistic community in Lima is always well represented, “we try to include artists from the provinces,” she states, in regards to recieving submissions. She explains that it is more difficult for artists outside of Lima to get the publicity needed to “make it in the artistic world.”

Noche de Arte focuses not only on the established "maestros," but also on the up and coming artists, those well established artists, explains Fátima. Each year the event has grown; this past year 840 works by 360 artists were included in the event.
“We get so many applications,” she acknowledges. “I mean, this event is really a great way for Peruvian artists to get their work out there.” Noche de arte will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, and will do so “in a wonderful site,” beams Fátima.

“Over five years ago we held Noche de Arte here, in the residency [of the Ambassador of the United States]. But it grew too big, and because of security concerns, it had to be moved.” This year Banco Continental, under the support of Manager of the BBVA Foundation, Carlo Reyes, “will allow us to use their beautiful building, in the heart of the San Isidro artistic community for the event.”
Fátima’s passion for art is obvious; her entire face lights up as she discusses Noche de Arte. But not only is she passionate about art, she is passionate about Peru and its artists. She wants Peruvian artists to have the chance to show their artwork on a grand, even international, scale. And this passion for Peru and for art has led her to do wonderful things, one of which is furthering the development and the impact of Noche de Arte on various charities.


tags : art, Peruvian, Noche de Arte, communities

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4 Comments

# Nohemi Ponce de Leon says :
16 September, 2009 [ 02:31 ]

Congratulation, it is a great opportunity to see the best paitings of peruvian artists, I was two or three times, it wasd wonderful.

# Javier Lizarzaburu says :
19 September, 2009 [ 05:31 ]

Do hope this year they make a better effort at selecting artists and artwork. Last year was a bit of a sad event quality-wise.  Great effort but bad art.

# gloria joyce Supple says :
22 September, 2009 [ 06:32 ]

WEll finally a list. The web site for 2009 has been horrible. For a non Lima person really impossible to apply electronically etc.
The list isnt legible from trying to read it today Sept 22, 09' .

My Chulucanas "PICASSO" genius Ceramist Amauta Regional Gerasimo Sosa alache thusly was unable for months to apply via internet.
so sorry Lima will not see his worthy sculptures and amazing decorative rock/paddle built 1 1/2mm thin non "potter Wheel" 3,000 yr old amazing north Peru Traditional Simbila method of non coiled vessel making. Now with govt introduced wheels there this amazing world unique method is in severe danger of extinction.

# Ana Romagosa says :
21 October, 2009 [ 06:56 ]

It is wonderful, to have people like Ms Fatima McKinley that so positive about these people that they are looking ONLY for an opportunity in this market. God Bless you and go forward.

Congratulations!

Ana Romagosa

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