Art

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Cactus Blue Commissions Local Bonaire Artist to Create New Restaurant Image

In true Cactus Blue form--thinking outside the box--owner/operators Hagen and Corinna Wegerer have created a new “first” for Bonaire, by commissioning well known Bonaire artist, Henk Rozendaal, to create a new painting which the restaurant will use as its company insignia.

An unveiling party was held last Friday, December 21, 2007, at Cactus Blue.  After everyone had enjoyed cocktails, Hagen and Corinna thanked their guests, the local companies which support the restaurant, as well as Henk, the artist.  Then, the tarp came off, and the new sign for Cactus Blue was seen for the first time in public.  The title of the painting is, “Taste Something Delicious at Cactus Blue,” and will now be the restaurant’s main street sign.

After congratulations were given, the guests enjoyed some of Cactus Blue’s finest appetizers.  Images from the evening’s event can be viewed on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Christmas Art Auction Benefits the Bonaire Animal Shelter

On Friday, December 7th, 2007, the Second Annual Christmas Art Auction will be held, with proceeds going to the Bonaire Animal Shelter.  Various artists from the island have donated their work for this auction, in order that the shelter may raise additional funds for their worthy efforts.

Those who are interested in the auction can have a sneak peak via a special web site by clicking here.  At this site, you’ll find short descriptions of the auction items, the size of the artwork, and the starting bid price, so that all may come prepared to purchase their favorite pieces.  Those who are not on-island, but still wish to participate, may make an absentee bid via the Internet.  Click on the special button (How to make a bid) on the web site captioned above, and you may indicate your maximum bid for the item(s) you wish. (Source:  Ronald and Jacqueline Hettinga)

Friday, November 30, 2007

Bonaire Artist is Exhibiting at Broadway Gallery in New York City

Known for his colorful murals that beautifully complement the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire, artist Henk Roozendaal is currently exhibiting his art at the Broadway Gallery in New York City.

The exhibition titled “Hotel” features the work of various international artists whose art represent interpretations of the concept of a hotel, for example, as a temporary residence or an area of rest for travelers.  The exhibition opened at the Broadway Gallery (located at 473 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York) on November 16 and runs through this Friday, November 30.

Henk Roozendaal’s painting “Zen & The Art of Snorkeling” represents the active Bonairean traveler in a spiritual state of mind while snorkeling.  As the only exhibit from the Caribbean, the painting adds balance to the other works of art featured with its “stylized realism” which is created by Roozendaal’s skilled ability to paint flat with a 3-dimensional result.

Henk Roozendaal relocated from the Netherlands to Bonaire in 1999 with his wife Herma and son Boy.  Together with author Guus Gerritssen from the Netherlands (who relocated to Bonaire in 1998 with his wife Nita), Henk has produced two editions of the book “Portraits of Bonaire,” which features Roozendaal’s painted portraits and Gerritssen’s written portraits of predominant Bonairean residents.  (Source:  TCB-North America)

Friday, January 12, 2007

Bonaire Lions Club Sponsors Innovative Fundraiser for Bonaire Charities

The Bonaire Lions Club has come up with a creative idea to raise funds for the renovation of the Skol di Arte building, as well as for the Sosiedat Diabetiko Boneriano, and Drecha Kas, along with other pending Lions Club projects.  Workshops will be held where prominent Bonaire citizens will make, with the assistance of local artists, their own signed works of art.  These unique masterpieces will be then auctioned at a BBQ.

The workshops will be held at the Kas di Arte (Playa Pabou, on the seaside promenade) on January 17 and 18 starting at 5:30 PM.  The exposition of these unique works of art will be from January 21 through 28, from 5:00 to 8:30 PM.  The culminating auction will be held in conjunction with a BBQ on January 28, starting at 8:00 PM.  Aimed Ayubi and Felix ("Papi") Cicilia will be the auctioneers.

The lucky participants (in alphabetical order) are:  Boi Antoin, Jackie Bernabela, Elsmarie Beukenboom, Ramoncito Booi, Geraldine Dammers, George DeSalvo, Captain Don, Hector Daal, Herbert Domacasse, Richard Hart, Maarten Maartense, Evert Piar, Raymundo Saleh, George Soliana, Jan van der Straten, and Ernst Wesselius.

They will be assisted in their endeavors by the following local artists (in alphabetical order):  Frans Booi, Renate van der Bijl, Nochi Coffie, Winfred Dania, Josephine Ebing, Ady Figaroa, Janice Huckaby, Erwin La Cruz, Nina Ledezma, Sedney Maarten, Germaine Nijdam, Henk Roozendaal, Rien van Silfhout, Marianne Sluizeman, Sipke Stapert/Dianir Rivas, and Eefje van Twillert.

Tickets for the BBQ and auction are now available for FL 50.00 per person ($28.08 per person USD) by calling or faxing 717-3015, or emailing to dickdisselbonaire@flamingotv.net. (Source:  Bonaire Lions Club)

Note Update January 22, 2007:  Photos of the art in progress, as well as the final masterpieces, are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery.  To view the images, courtesy of Jackie Bernabella, click here. 

Note Update January 29, 2007:  As a final note on this event, the top three selling entries were as follows:
1) Evert Piar (Director of MCB Bank) with his painting, “Bonaire is not for sale"--Sold for NAFl 3000.00 (USD $1685)
2) Captain Don (Environmentalist and Activist) with his painting “Bonaire on the cover of Time magazine in Dec’ 07"--Sold for NAFl 3000.00 (USD $1685)
3) Gezaghebber Herbert Domacassé’ painting of Bonaire “Together with Holland we can make it"--Sold for NAFl 2800.00 (USD $1573)

Friday, November 10, 2006

Queen Beatrix Continues Her Bonaire Visit Opening Art Exhibit and Meeting Windsurfers

On Thursday, November 9, 2006, Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands continued with her Bonaire tour.  After visiting the Marshe di Rincon, she continued to the Kas di Arte to open the new exhibit highlighting works of many Bonaire artists.

Here the doors were opened wide for the Queen to enter and privately view the collection consisting of paintings, sculpture, stained glass, and traditional costumes decorated with scenes of Bonaire.  As she stepped out from the exhibit a few minutes later, she was pleasantly surprised to see a group of young children saluting her, after which they performed several dances.

In the afternoon, the Queen honored Bonaire Windsurf Place with a vist to meet Bonaire’s legendary sailors and watch an exhibit by the Bonaire Kids as well as those who have turned professional.

The Queen leaves Bonaire on Friday morning, to continue her Antillean tour with a stop in Sint Maarten next.

To view images from Thursday’s visits, click here to view the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery.

(Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Reception for Sunbelt Realty’s 12.5 Year Anniversary

Sunbelt Realty, one of Bonaire’s top real estate companies, will be celebrating its 12.5 year anniversary tomorrow, October 27th, at a special reception.

The reception will be held at the Bambu Restaurant, located on the waterfront halfway between Fort Orange and the Divi Flamingo. The event runs from 5:30pm until 7:00pm, and will also introduce a new real estate magazine, featuring, among other things, the photography of local artist, Wilna Groenenboom, who has been specializing in a study of Bonaire’s historical buildings. There will also be an exhibition of new art work at the reception.

The reception is open to the public, and Sunbelt especially welcomes all of their past, present, and future clients, as well as friends and business associates. (Source: Sunbelt Realty, Bonaire Reporter)

Sunday, September 24, 2006

2007 Edition of the Bonaire Creations Calendar Released

Following high acclaim for the 2006 Bonaire Creations Calendar released a year ago, Linda & Jake Richter and their company, Bonaire Creations BV, have announced the release of the 2007 Bonaire Creations Calendar.

The new 2007 Bonaire Creations Calendar features new images by the Richters, both of whom are resident artists on Bonaire. The new images present Bonaire in a variety of different and colorful ways and are displayed with large monthly layouts providing Antillean, U.S., Canadian, and Dutch holidays.

Linda Richter is well known in Caribbean art circles for her stunning oil pieces reminiscent of Bonaire.  Jake Richter is equally known for his digital painting, utilizing his own photography as a base.  Together, they bring a magical quality to this calendar - it will remind the viewer each day of their memories of the island of Bonaire.

The calendar is 8.5” x 11” when closed, and 17” x 11” when open, so it can be purchased while on Bonaire and easily will fit in either a carry-on luggage or checked baggage.  It is also printed on high quality, fine-art paper. The new calendar can be previewed at www.BonaireCalendar.com.

The 2007 Bonaire Creations Calendar will officially go on sale for a retail price of US$12.95 on Monday, October 2, 2006 at several local Bonaire stores, including Chat ‘n’ Browse, Jewels of Bonaire, and Photo Tours. Additionally, several resorts and hotels will carry the calendar, including Buddy Dive, Carib Inn, Golden Reef Inn, and Yellow Submarine. For those not on Bonaire between now and the end of the year, the calendar will also be available on-line starting October 2nd at www.BonaireStuff.com and www.CaribbeanArt.com.

Special arrangements are also possible for people and companies wishing to buy calendars in volume for use as Christmas presents and client appreciation.

A launch party, to be held at Antillean Wine Company on Kaya Industria on September 30, 2006 from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM. The launching will feature complimentary wine and cheese--the wines being specially chosen for this event by Antillean Wine Company.  Non-alcoholic beverages also will be available. Advance copies of the calendar will be available at a special reduce price at the launch event.

Bonaire Creations, B.V., a company started by Linda and Jake Richter in 2004 to help promote and sell their Bonaire-originated art, is based at Kaya R. Statius van Eps 17 in the Belnem area of Bonaire. Viewings of current original art are available by appointment only. Phone number is +599-717-4112. E-Mail: . Web: www.BonaireCreations.com (Source:  Bonaire Creations Press Release)

Friday, September 15, 2006

Bonaire’s Artists To Be Honored At Kas di Arte in November

Kas di Arte, a non-profit organization to support the presentation of Bonaire’s arts to the public, will be presenting the juried exhibition “Hommage aan de Bonairiaanse kunstenaar” (Homage to the Bonairean Artist) in November.

The official evening opening will be November 8th and the exhibition will continue through the end of the month. It is hoped that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will preside over the opening herself.

A total of 67 works representing 48 artists have been selected for this exhibition. All local artists were invited to submit up to 3 works each for the jurying process and in August 2006, 56 artists submitted a total of 141 works for the jury’s consideration. The actual pieces of art were dropped off at the Kas di Arte building north of Kralendijk so that the jury could get the full impact of all the works to make their eventual choices. An evening open house for the public was also held so that the general public could view all submitted artworks and vote by ballot for their favorite works.

The official jury for this Kas di Arte exhibition was the board of directors of Kas di Arte, including Jackie Bernabela, Elvio Cecila, and Wilna Groenenboom, plus two guest jury members: Frans Booi and Merieke Roozenburg-Postema.

Some artwork shown at the November exhibit will also be available for purchase and a portion of the purchase price will be donated to the Kas di Arte Foundation.

In related news, the Kas di Arte Foundation announced it had received a donation of Naf. 2400,- as a result of a fundraising event at the end of August aboard the Freewinds cruise ship, where artist Carl W. Röhrig exhibited his works, and three local bands - Kaña Brabu, Foyan Boys, and Glen I su Gang - performed. The money will be used to repaint and restore the Kas di Arte building in advance of the November exhibit.

Kas di Arte, the Artistic and Cultural Foundation of Bonaire, is located north of downtown Kralendijk on the water at Kaya J.N.E. Craane 34. (Sources: Kas di Arte Release, BonaireArt.org, The Richter Scale Blog)

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Bonaire Artist, Nochi Koffie, Completes Wall Mural in Holland

Bonaire artist, Nochi Koffie, has recently completed a tremendous project in Holland, where he painted a wall mural for Lucas Diving in Holland. 

Mr. Lucas, owner of Lucas Diving and Nochi’s patron in this project, expressed his satisfaction and happiness with the form the project has taken and its final results.  Many people watched Nochi while he was working and admired the different phases of the work.  For additional information, click here.  (Source:  TCB Press Release)