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

On May 8th, students from the Environmental Arts and Food Sovereignty course, led by Professor Martha Stiegman, shared an unforgettable afternoon in Quizarrá through a friendly soccer match with local children and youth.

More than just a recreational activity, this experience created a meaningful space for community connection, cultural exchange, and social engagement. Through sports, laughter, and teamwork, students and community members built strong relationships while fostering mutual respect and understanding.

This interaction reflected the broader goals of the Las Nubes Project by emphasizing the importance of community collaboration, social inclusion, and experiential learning as essential components of sustainable development. By connecting directly with local families and youth, participants gained valuable insight into the social fabric of the community and the power of intercultural exchange.

Experiences like this demonstrate how meaningful engagement beyond the classroom can strengthen leadership, global awareness, and long term community relationships, reinforcing the value of education rooted in real world social connection.
Photos: Alixa González

On May 8th, students from the Environmental Arts and Food Sovereignty course, led by Professor Martha Stiegman, participated in an enriching educational visit to Coopecedral, where they explored the vital connection between agricultural production, cooperative organization, and food sovereignty.
During the visit, the group learned about the cooperative’s history, its development within the coffee sector, and its commitment to the social and economic well-being of the community. Through a guided walk across the farm, students gained firsthand insight into coffee cultivation, production, and commercialization processes, as well as the growing opportunities presented by international specialty coffee markets.
This experience provided a meaningful opportunity to examine how agricultural cooperatives play a crucial role in building more sustainable food systems by strengthening community participation, economic equity, and responsible production practices.
The visit also reinforced the importance of integrating hands-on learning experiences into academic education, fostering a deeper understanding of food sovereignty’s role in protecting local territories, supporting rural economies, and empowering communities.
Photos: Alixa González & Ana Martínez

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 🌿♻️

As part of their visit to the Bröran Indigenous Territory (Térraba), students from the Environmental Arts and Food Sovereignty course, led by Professor Martha Stiegman, participated in a tree planting activity focused on environmental restoration and community-based conservation.

Through this hands-on experience, students learned about the importance of protecting forests, rivers, and biodiversity, while also reflecting on the deep connection between territory, culture, and environmental stewardship within Indigenous communities.

The activity also highlighted the role of native trees and natural seed dispersal by birds and mammals in the regeneration of ecosystems, reinforcing the importance of collective action in caring for the land for future generations.
Photos: Ana Martínez & Alixa González

Students from the Environmental Arts and Food Sovereignty course, led by professor Martha Stiegman, participated in an enriching learning experience in Indigenous territories in southern Costa Rica, where they gained firsthand insight into community processes related to territorial defense, environmental conservation, and cultural identity.

During the visit, Gilbert González shared reflections on the historical and ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples, discussing topics such as land recovery, the protection of rivers and forests, and the social realities faced by many Indigenous communities. The group also learned about part of the work carried out by ARADIKES (Asociación Regional Indígena del Diquis) in collaboration with universities, Indigenous organizations, and environmental allies.

Later, in the Bröran Indigenous Territory (Térraba), Cindy Vargas Ortiz presented the project “Camino de la Semilla,” a community initiative focused on environmental education, the preservation of traditional knowledge, and the protection of nature through a cultural and community-based perspective.

The experience created valuable spaces for dialogue, reflection, and exchange on the importance of conservation, cultural identity, and community-led efforts in the protection of Indigenous territories.
Photos: Ana Martínez & Alixa González