La Esquina de Las Artes undergoes a transformation and re-opens with a renewed emphasis on art

Feb 1, 2025 | 0 comments

The courtyard of La Esquina de Las Artes features a giant hummingbird sculpture by Julio Machado,

By Jeremiah Reardon

My wife Belinda and I settled in Cuenca a decade ago after living in Monterey, California. We rented our first apartment near the Yanuncay River. Running errands in El Centro, we’d walk past one of Cuenca’s cultural gems, La Esquina de Las Artes. Located directly across the street from the University of Cuenca’s Teatro Carlos Cueva Tamariz at the corner of 12 de Abril and Augustin Cueva, it’s flower and plant filled grounds, stucco walls supporting exposed beams and red tile roof reminded us of Monterey’s Spanish traditions. Construction on the corner lot began seventy years ago, and the main material is brick.

Exterior of the Los Priostes Sazon Criolla restaurant and Gallery Auditorium.

In 2013, La Esquina had a coffee shop, jewelry design store, a photography gallery and a feria held on Saturdays. It featured artisan cheese and sourdough bread which went quickly. Recently, this complex has undergone a transformation. The coffee shop is still there, Cafe Melatte. When you enter its courtyard across from the university, the hummingbird metal sculpture by Julio Machado catches your eye. Balanced on a two-meter-high stand, its rainbow colors dazzle in the sunlight.

Beside it is the open-kitchen restaurant Los Priostes run by the same chefs of La Maria Cocina Libre. When you enter the restaurant, you’re in for a treat because art is everywhere, on the walls and above on the ceiling. Ecuadorian food is offered which is related to the country’s popular festivities with a good selection of traditional recipes, soft drinks and delicious desserts composed of local fruits such as fig and guayaba.

Artist Julio Montesinos is offering watercolor classes.

Situated around the corner from the cafe is 2° Expeditions owned by Felipe Neira, a tourism operator who offers attractive tourist packages to places such as the Cajas, the jungle and our historic center. Felipe also sells art by Julio Montesinos whose painting hangs in the gallery.

Farther into the courtyard is Kinara Art Gallery founded in 1989 by Diana Sojos de Pena, one of the cofounders of CIDAP in 1970. Maria Elisa, the manager, sells art treasures, new collections and natural dyes. She has on display finely woven classic and modern capes, handbags, accessories and decorations with the Ikat technique.

Kinara Art Gallery with Manager Maria Elisa (left).

La Esquina de Las Artes features a spacious art gallery on the floor above the restaurant, developed by nineteen art maestros who have at least thirty years of artistic experience like Eduardo Vega, Hernan and Miguel Illescas among others. With the contribution of Luz María Crespo, La Esquina cultural manager, a collective exhibition of painting, ceramics and sculpture entitled Cuenca and its Artists is presented, with unique creations in technique and style.

I became acquainted with Luz Maria while assisting her as a volunteer with Cuenca’s 2023 International Classic Guitar Festival. She has sung with the International Cuenca Choir and presents guests on her YouTube channel Ciudad Cultural, a program of interviews and reports whose purpose is to show the world Ecuador’s cultural wealth.

The Los Priostes Sazon Criolla restaurant.

The gallery is also being used as an auditorium for live arts such as concerts, recitals and lectures. A concert of Argentine music will be presented next Saturday, February 8, led by the pianist German Coppola and four musicians from the Cuenca Symphony Orchestra.

Presently, La Esquina is offering art classes beginning at 10 A.M. on Monday, February 3, and concluding on February 28. Julio Montesinos will teach watercolor painting. Jaime Lara, who has two fine prints on the art gallery’s wall, will teach pen and ink drawing. Teaching ceramics are Edgar León and Cristina Quinde, formerly, IdiomArt Gallery instructors. No prior knowledge is required. The cost of classes starts at eighty dollars. For more information call: 099 295-1585. Address: Av. 12 de Abril 4-191 y Augustin Cueva.