Open house at idiomARTE’s new home

By Jeremiah Reardon

IdiomARTE is pleased to invite you to the Open House of its new home on Saturday, September 19, from 6 to 10 p.m. This grand opening will take place on Benigno Malo 4-76 y Calle Larga in downtown Cuenca.

StoryJAM team: Diana Moscoso, Sarah HB, Lisa Jaffe, Barry Callen

And what a lineup for the evening! Noel Batista will have you jamming to his AfroBeat. Salsa dance instructor Yunior Hernándaz will be giving lessons. And the Harmony Youth Symphony of the GRACE Foundation and AfroChonta will perform. There will also be delicious treats provided by Taita Panadería. And you’ll be greeted by idiomARTE’s owners, Sarah Hanen Bauer and Diana Moscoso.

Library volunteers: Lauren Zeimatus-Gibson, Jill Jordan

Wander the halls and meet the artists in their studios! On the ground floor are ceramist Candy Sugarman and artist Belen Carpio. On the second floor are the studios of Barbara Eiswerth and Cristian Leon.

Windows of the second-floor library and classroom overlook the street and beyond the river and distant mountains.

Comfortable seating and a throw blanket make the library a cozy space. The brightly painted classroom is furnished with a large table and chairs. Outside these rooms, the varnished wood of the solarium floor enhances a welcoming common area where guests can relax, read and gather with friends.

Spanish students enjoying the solarium; artwork by Barbara Eiswerth

IdiomARTE’S community library is where folks can come and grab a book off the shelf, serve themselves a cup of tea or coffee and make themselves comfortable in the different sitting areas and read a book. Teresa Durrant is the library’s principal book donor, and her generous donation motivated the center to start this community library. Sarah said. “This is a huge addition to idiomARTE!” In total, the collection numbers over 1300 books, the majority in English and some in Spanish.

Speaking of the center’s transition, she said, “IdiomARTE will focus more deeply on ongoing programs, creative practice, learning experiences, and cultural exchange.”

Sept. 3 StoryJAM: Davie Mozie, Latise Harrison, Mama C.

Sarah and Diana were excited to welcome people to the new idiomARTE house on September 3 for StoryJAM, the first event in the new space attended by a full house. The program featured Healing Through Community with internationally recognized artist, poet, musician and community activist Charlotte Hill O’Neal, known as Mama C., who shared her healing process. StoryJAM is a monthly storytelling night hosted by Barry Callen, where people share their own stories around a different theme each month.

idiomARTE: Cristian León, Sarah HB, Barbara Eiswerth, Belen Carpio, Luzmila Guamán, Alejandra Herrera, “Kokocha,” Diana Moscoso, Candy Sugarman

Alejandra Herrera has developed a thriving and growing language program at idiomARTE over the past year and a half. Beginners may choose between four different Survival Spanish classes, depending on familiarity with the language. These are small-group courses designed to help you dive in, take things one step at a time, start using what you learn, and build confidence little by little.

Students don’t learn everything at once. Instead, each course focuses on a manageable set of useful vocabulary, grammar and expressions for everyday situations. Each course focuses on a different cultural, social, or artistic theme, with vocabulary, grammar, and concepts woven naturally into the lessons.

House artists and work crew at idiomARTE

Cultura Viva class is for Intermediate plus learners, taught entirely in Spanish and designed to explore the connections between language, culture, and art. Through dynamic classes, local guest speakers, field trips, talks, and hands-on activities, students strengthen their language skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Ecuador and Latin America.

IdiomARTE’s first event in the new space will be a special book launch and musical performance featuring Argentine archeomusicologist Esteban Valdivia and Matías Mahmud Otola. There will also be a book signing, with books available for purchase. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the event beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the door. With seating limited to 25 people, advance purchase is highly recommended.

Save the date for IdiomARTE’s Open House! Drop by between 6 and 10 p.m. on Saturday evening, the 19 of September for a night of art, music and community.