Honduras This Week Cultural



	PEOPLE & CULTURAL

Monday, May 05, 2008 Online Edition 18

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Artist Cesar Ordoñez:
Raising the profile of Honduran art while continuing to produce his own

Callum Oliver Reece
Honduras This Week

Artist
Callum Oliver Reece/Honduras This Week
Ordoñez, a prolific painter, and one of his many paintings. He will soon travel to China on an art tour where he will produce both painted murals and traditional paintings.

Cesar Ordoñez has been the face of Honduran art for as long as a quarter of a century. He is one of the few artists to have his own art school in Honduras and boasts an incredible résumé, which includes the painting “Childhood Remembers” located in the Larach Hardware store in Colonia Miramontes in Tegucigalpa, and the painting “Don Pedro.”

As the well-known artist approaches his 65th birthday, his mindset remains as determined as ever. With an upcoming project in China, which could quite possibly be one of his most challenging yet, his main objective is to break down the barriers and help clear the path for Honduran art to flourish as he believes it can.

Ordoñez, born on October 18, 1944 in the small town of San Marco de Colon in southern Honduras, believes he first developed his love for art in the womb. He believes what made him stand out from so many others was his sheer determination and hunger to succeed. When talking about his earlier years, he remembered using leftover pieces of coal, pieces used to heat the fire to cook, as ‘pencils’ with which to sketch.

He made his first sale when he was 13 for 200 lempiras and despite his remarkable talent, Ordonez never saw it as a possible career. His other interest lied in medicine and once he finished high school, he enrolled in medical school while continuing to paint as a hobby. He researched artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt and John Constable as well as painters from the Americas such as Edwin Church and Norman Rockwell. During his fourth year of medical school, he decided to drop out and pursue his love of painting.

Callum Oliver Reece/Honduras This Week
"Adam & Eve" is one of Ordoñez most recent paintings, completed in 2007

In 1979, at age 35, in what he described as a major turning point, Ordonez had a huge opportunity as he was sponsored by the Spanish embassy on his first exhibition as part of a ‘culture tour’ of the U.S. The tour gave him an incredible insight into the world of art and it was a world in which he wanted to be completely involved.

Cesar Ordoñez, a self-described “paintaholic,” is completely addicted to art. “I paint when I’m awake, asleep and half asleep, whether it is with a brush or in my mind,” and as soon as you step into a fraction of his world, it is clear he keeps up-to-date with art on a daily basis, looking at up-and-coming artists or new forms of art.

This is a man who has had to overcome many obstacles throughout his career and a man who clearly respects the importance of family. He reiterates how hard life is for any painter and how many people support artists and how many people do not. However, he maintains it is the determination that will get someone where they want to be.

“If art was in a perfect scenario, it would not be art; in any situation in life, you need upsets,” Ordonez claims.

He went on t o ment i o n that when growing up, people surrounding him “lacked the intellectual capability to understand his talent,” so subsequently, they didn’t support him.

Alvaro Morales Molina / Honduras This Week
"Childhood Remembered", perhaps Ordoñez most viewed painting hangs in Larach's hardware store.

One of the people who did support from the start was his grandmother, someone he described as a “self taught and wise lady.” He also counts his wife of over 40 years and his 5 children among his most dedicated, fervent supporters.

His take on art has always been simple and he is inspired by the culture and landscape of Honduras. He is against artists being forced to constantly find new angles and believes critics will often base their opinion by judging what is in “fashion.”

Nor does Ordonez think there is any such thing as a ‘best painter,’ rather painters who have better marketing skills to attract attention and ensure they are seen as the ‘most famous.’ He firmly believes it is these same marketing skills that so many painters throughout Honduras lack.

The project in China, for which he leaves in June, will require Ordonez to produce 3 murals and 30 paintings within 6 months. He considers it a “great challenge” and part of his responsibility while there will be to promote Honduran art, something that he has been doing for the last 25 years. Ordoñez leads by example and paves the way for other Honduran artists to move among world-renowned art cicles to get their art seen and appreciated.

ARTS

WOMEN IN THE ARTS - Mujeres en las Artes. One of the strongest artistic movements in Tegucigalpa. Mujeres en la Artes Leticia de Oyuela constantly sponsors workshops, exhibitions, conferences, art shows and community events in the city. For the complete schedule, log on to www.muaartes.org.hn or contact Veronica Romero at 222 3015.

ORIGINAL “HONDURAS VERDE” PAINTINGS.
Ecological collection of paintings. Visit www.hondurasart.com

PAINTING WORKSHOP. For adults and children.Instructor: Mauricio Garay. Fridays from 3:00 p.m. thru 5:00 p.m. Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. thru 12. Tel. 235-4463

FRENCH ALLIANCE CINEMA CLUB. Contact www.afhonduras.com or phone: 239-6165

“WE WANT TO BE LISTENED”, A RADIO PROGRAM.
At 88.7 FM from 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. from Monday thru Friday. Contact smarybelsanchez@gmail.com.

EL PARNASO. Visit www.elparnasohn.triplod.com , you will find all kind of artistic expressions.

“PROVOCATION”: AN ART EXPOSITION. Artists: Claudia Lardizábal and Cora Lardizábal de Bendeck will be exposing their art. National Gallery of Art in Tegucigalpa, since January 24th. Fulbright Association of Honduras, Pro Art and Culture Foundation and the National gallery of Art are inviting.

TERCO CULTURAL PRODUCTIONS. Contact them; they always have info on cultural activities. E-mail: tercoproducciones@ gmail.com. Visit www.karlalara.com.

PROYECTO GRITON ACTIVITIES. Visit www.proyectogriton.com and focus on KUPIAKUMI, you’ll find the daily logbook of the activities of this cultural group.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AT CAFÉ PARADISO. Café Paradiso (downtown) is always performing cultural activities. Contact paradiso@cablecolor.hn

EXPERIMENTAL THEATRE OF HONDURAS. Visit the website www.telah.org. They are presenting plays, essays about theatre culture. Tel: 220-0690, 238-3726

NATIONAL LIBRARY INSTALLATIONS FOR EVENTS- These installations are appropriate for book presentations, expositions, conferences and any other cultural events.

SPANISH CULTURAL CENTER (CCT) ACTIVITIES. January 12, 19, 27, and all Saturdays of February: “Modern Dancing ” by Isadora Paz. From 8-10 a.m. For inscriptions: ccet@aecihonduras.hn from January 1-10th.
January 23rd: Book Presentation by Tito Estrada. 6:30 pm.
January 24th: Theatre play presentation “El Maizal” from the group “Sombra Roja”. 6:30 pm.
January 29th: Books presentation by Maribel Suazo: “En Honduras hablamos con CH” y “Recuerdos imborrables”. 6:30 pm.

CHIMICAMPAMENTO.
January 14 -30, Chimicampamento for vacations at Chiminike facilities. Supporting the imagination of kids; (6 – 11 years old), from 8:30 am thru 12:00 m. Art, painting, sports, theatre play, artistic presentations, cooking, For reservations: reservaciones@chiminike.org.hn, Tel: 291-0339/42, Fax: 291-0347.

FICTION PRIZE FOR YOUNTH AND CHILD. Dead line: February 15, 2008, 12:00, for more information contact: ccet@aecihonduras.hn

MUSIC & DANCE

INFORMATION ABOUT PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA ACTIVITIES. Contact 235-4019

CLASSIC MUSIC WITH GREAT MASTERS AT PANAMERICAN RADIO: 95.9 FM. 7:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays. Beethoven, Mozart, Ravel, Tchaikovsky.

VOICES AND SONGS OF HONDURAS. “National identity audio”. Saturdays, 9:00 a.m - 10:00 1.m. at H.R.N. (92.9 F.M.)

GUILLERMO ANDERSON’S AGENDA. To know the famous Honduran singer's schedule, visit: www.guillermoanderson.com

LAST PRODUCTION FROM KARLA LARA. “Donde Andar”, L. 250.00. Make your request: (504) 238-5797.

LIVE MUSIC, 60/70’s- Restaurants Pa-pa Chacalín at Blvd. Morazán. For more information contact bigbbang_arte@yahoo.com.

ENJOY AT HONDURAS MAYA HOTEL. Thursdays and Fridays enjoy the “Catrachas and Mexican” nights. On Saturdays and Sundays you can enjoy your beer around the pool.

SABOR CUBANO- Come and enjoy the best Latin Rhythms: Salsa, Merengue, and Rumba. Every Friday at Restaurant-Bar: “Sabor Cubano” Learn how to dance with the best dancers in town and enjoy the original “Mojito Cubano”! Colonia Palmira, No. 1933, half a block from Taco Taco. For more information call: 235-9947.

EXCELLENT LIVE MUSIC- Fridays and Saturdays at Restaurant El Corral, Col. Alameda. Meats are their specialty.

EXCELLENT MUSIC FROM 60´S AND 70´S. At “Memories” in Plaza Millennium. From Wednesdays thru Saturdays from 7:00 p.m

MARRIOTT HOTEL ACTIVITIES. Every Thursday you can enjoy live music with the artist Hector Casas, from 8:00 p.m. thru 11:00 p.m. Happy hour from 5:00 p.m. thru 8:00 p.m. 2X1 Miller bear, frozen Margaritas and tequila Jimador.

COCINA LATINA AT MARRIOTT HOTEL. A special flavor every day of the week: Monday: Asian, Tuesday: Italian, Wednesday: Peruvian, Thursday: Mexican, Friday: seafood, Saturday: Italian/Mexican, Sunday: Honduran cuisine.

HONDURAN TALENT
Luis Alberto Elvir and Hugo Medina from Danli offers a little taste of their talent. You can watch their videos on youtube at:http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=aszepeda

MISCELLANEOUS

VIRTUAL GALLERY FOR FREE. An online tool for the exposition, promotion and marketing of art works. www.elmerchant.com.

“LA JOYA” AND “TAMARA”, TWO VILLAGES WITH THEIR OWN “CULTURAL HOUSE”. Arte Acción informs that these “cultural houses” will be open to the public since November. This cultural association will provide workshops in painting, puppets, circus, theatre, stilts. These cultural houses can present expositions, video presentations and both of them have library room. For more information: Tel: 239-6356 or e-mail arteaccioncomunicacion@gmail-com

“UN DIA EN LA VIDA” A HONDURAN FILM. Directed by Mayra Alvarado. See a demo visiting www.youtube.com/watch or visit http://douglasalonso.blogspot.com

DAY HIKES INTO THE PICO BONITO NATIONAL PARK AND THE LODGE AT PICO BONITO. Includes a guided hike on the Lodge´s natural trail into the Pico Bonito National Park with a stop at the Mermaid Falls swimming hole (Hike can be made at 8:00 am or 1:00 pm). Before or after your hike enjoy a delicious meal at the Lodge´s restaurant and explore the Butterfly Farm and Serpentarium also located on the Lodge´s property (before or after the hike). Price includes guide service, lunch, and park entrance fee paid to the Pico Bonito National Park Foundation (Drinks not included) Please call ahead to be sure we have guides available. E-mail: picobonito@caribe.hn, Tel. 504-440-0388/0389/0468

GUAYMURAS EDITORIAL AT SANTA MONICAL MALL. Near Col. Kennedy. This editorial has Honduran, Latin American and classical literature, and textbooks. Phone: 228-2192

GUAYMURAS: PUBLISHING AND SELLING HONDURAN BOOKS. “Naif in Honduras” by Leticia de Oyuela, this book reflects the Naif painting in Honduras. “Aventuras de la Rana Mariana y su amiga Capuchona” by Teresa G. de Coello, a treasure of infantile literature. Contact: libreguay@cablecolor.hn

“COPAN, KINGDOM OF THE SUN”. This book written by the Honduran Archaeologist Ricardo Agurcia can be purchased by contacting: congreso_ copan@yahoo.com

REPUBLIC HISTORY MUSEUM AT VILLA ROY. Schedule: 8:00 – 4:00 pm from Monday thru Saturday. Barrio Buena Vista, Tegucigalpa. Entrance fees: Hondurans and Central Americans: L. 10.00, from other countries: L. 20.00. For more information contact Patricia Leon Gomez at: pattyleongomez50@hotmail.com

HONDURAN DOCUMENTARY CENTER OF HISTORICAL INVESTIGATIONS (CDIHH). Has a great collection of books and national file documentary. Old Presidential House, Barrio El Centro. Visits from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Attended visits, all Wednesdays, cost: L. 5.00

NATIONAL EDUCATIVE TELEVISION CHANNEL (TEN). Channel 10 from 6:00 am – 11:00 pm

DOCUMENTARY ABOUT LATIN AMERICAN CITIES. For more information about this contest, visit www.ciudoc.net

SANTA MARIA DE LOS ANGELES MUSEUM. This interesting museum is open since October 2006. It is located in the town of Valle the Angeles. You will enjoy a great collection of interesting objects, old photos from 1800 - 1900, antiques of history, art and culture. Visit us at www.museosantamaria.com or e-mail us to: santamariamuseo@yahoo.com

WEEKLY ENCOUNTER OF MARRIAGES. Supporting the family ministry. Every Friday, Col. Las Colinas, Bloque Z, # 1613, 7:00 pm. Tegucigalpa. Free participation, including diner. Tel. 239-7190

BUSINESS WOMEN MEETINGS. Sharing testimonies
and praying. Every Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. at Glifo Room in Honduras Maya Hotel, free entrance. yam@cablecolor.hn or Tel. 9996-6707

INTERDENOMINATIONAL MINISTRY SUITABLE WOMENSchedule of meetings: Every first Saturday of the month, they offer a breakfast at El Candelero Room, Honduras Maya Hotel, 7:40 a.m. L. 100.00.

CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND INFORMATIVE BULLETIN. This is a cultural publication of International Spanish Agency for Cooperation. You can get the digital version visiting: www.aeci.es

EL PARNASO, THE FIRST CULTURAL PAPER IN HONDURAS. Visit www.elparnasohn.tripod.com

SWEDISH SCHOLARSHIPS- For Ph.D and post Ph.D. studies or for Master programs.
Visit www.studyinsweden.se or contact the Swedish Institute, Box 7434 SE-103, 91 Stockholm, Sweden.

NEURAL STIMULATION. Hands without Borders movement. Healing treatments on Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. at Avanti Building in Barrio La Granja, Comayaguela, room No. 308. For more information contact: ijhondurasneuralq@yahoo.com or Tel: 9945-5729

MUSEUMS & GARDENS TEGUCIGALPA

MUSEO DE HISTORIA REPUBLICANA
The Museum of Republican History is located at the Villa Roy building in Tegucigalpa's Barrio Buenos Aries. It is open 8:30 to 3:30, Tuesdays through Sundays and features portraits, paraphernalia, and other interesting items from past presidents. Admission is Lps. 20 for non-resident foreigners and Lps. 10 for Hondurans and Central Americans. For more information, call 222-3470 or 222-1468.

CENTRAL BANK MUSEUM
The Central Bank of Honduras located at the Comayaguela annex building is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. It has a permanent coin and painting exhibit. For special presentations, call the Emision y Tesoreria department at 237-2270 (-78), ext. 2117 (-2120). [CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.]

SANTA MARIA DE LOS ANGELES MUSEUM It is located in the town of Valle the Angeles. You will enjoy a great collection of interesting objects, old photos from 1800 - 1900, antiques of history, art and culture. Visit us at www.museosantamaria.com

NATIONAL ART GALLERY
The Galeria Nacional de Arte features rock art, pre-Columbian ceramics, colonial paintings, religious art and a wide selection of 20th century Honduran painters. The gallery is located at the Plaza de la Merced in downtown Tegucigalpa. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10-2 p.m. Admission is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for senior citizens, Lps. 3 for students and Lps. 1 for children accompanied by adults.

IGUANA FARM
The Biosfera Ecocentro Iguana Farm in Colonia La Joya invites the public to come and learn everything about iguanas. Admission is Lps. 5 for adults, Lps. 3 for children. The facility is open every day (except Wednesday) from 9 to 5. For more information, call 230-6346.

COMAYAGUA, COMAYAGUA

COMAYAGUA MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY
Located in the city of Comayagua, two hours north of Tegucigalpa, the Comayagua Museum of Archaeology is in the building that served as the seat of government in the 19th century. Exhibits include prehistoric fossils, cave art, ceramics, and objects used by indigenous cultures during the pre-Colombian era. The museum, which also has a small library, is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

COMAYAGUA RELIGIOUS MUSEUM
Located in the Casa Cural in front of Comayagua's cathedral, this museum features religious paintings and objects dating back to the 16th century. Hours are 8-12 and 2-4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. For more information, contact Leonardo Letona at 772-0348.

LA PAZ, LA PAZ

LA PAZ HOUSE OF CULTURE
The La Paz Casa de la Cultura is located in downtown La Paz. It features an attractive exhibit of the Lenca handicrafts and culture. It is open Mondays through Sundays.

SAN PEDRO SULA, CORTES

SPS MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY
The Museo de Antropologia e Historia de San Pedro Sula features exhibits on the development of Sula Valley, from 1500 B.C. to the middle of this century. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is Lps. 10 for adults, Lps. 5 for students and children under 12, and Lps. 2 for senior citizens. For more information, call 557-1496/557-1798 or fax 557-1874.

MUSEUM OF NATURE OF SAN PEDRO SULA
Sponsored and managed by the Fundacion Ecologista H.R. Pastor Fasquelle, this new museum was inaugurated last December in its current location at the Biocentro on 3 Avenida and 9 Calle Noroeste. It has 24 exhibits on the environment, natural resources and biology of Honduras. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays. Admission is Lps 5 for students from public schools and Lps. 10.00 for everyone else.

YUSCARAN, EL PARAISO

YUSCARAN HOUSE OF CULTURE
Yuscaran's Casa de la Cultura is located at the former Casa Fortin in downtown Yuscaran, El Paraiso department, just 45 km from Tegucigalpa on the road to Danli. It is open Mondays through Saturdays.

OLANCHO

PECH CULTURAL CENTER
The Pech have built a small house in El Carbon, Olancho to display their modern handicrafts. An exhibit of archaeological finds in the area is planned. You can ask to see the collection and/or get a tour of a Post Classic era fortified site. The Pech Cultural Center also offers medicinal plant tours, nature hikes, Pech dinners, etc. There is no admission fee to the cultural center. Hours: If you ask, they will open it.

COPAN

COPAN ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Located in the village of Copan Ruinas, Copan department, the museum exhibits a splendid assortment of Mayan pieces that have been found in the Copan Ruins Archaeological Park just 1 km away.

LA PUENTE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Featuring a sizeable collection of Mayan handicrafts and photographs as well as a room with Japanese antique ceramics, this museum is located at the El Puente Archaeological Site, about an hour's drive from Copan Ruinas.

MAYAN SEPULTURAS MUSEUM
Inaugurated in 1996, this is the premier Mayan museum in the Mundo Maya, featuring the finest examples of Copan's tombs, sculptures and architecture. Located at the Copan Ruins Archaeological Park, the museum is open Monday through Sunday.

TELA, ATLANTIDA

LANCETILLA BOTANICAL GARDENS
Located 2 kilometers from Tela on the Atlantic coast highway, the gardens feature one of the largest collections of tropical and subtropical plants, shrubs and trees in all Latin America. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Sundays. There is an admission charge.

LA CEIBA, ATLANTIDA

TROPICAL BUTTERFLY FARM
The Tropical Butterfly Farm & Gardens of La Ceiba is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The farm is located at The Lodge at Pico Bonito in the village of El Pino, about 25 minutes west of La Ceiba. Admission is Lps. 30 for adults, Lps. 15 for children and $6 for international visitors.

BUTTERFLY AND INSECT MUSEUM
Thousands of butterflies and insects from Honduras and 18 other countries are on display in La Ceiba' private Butterfly and Insect Museum. It is located in Colonia El Sauce, 2nd etapa, casa G-12. Visiting hours are 8-12 and 2-5, Monday through Saturday. The museum is closed Wednesday afternoon. Fees are Lps. 15 for adults and Lps. 10 for students. Tel. 442-2874, e-mail: rlehman@ns.gbm.hn

TRUJILLO

TRUJILLO RUFINO GALAN MUSEUM
A private museum which has a memorabilia section, old chairs, anchors, silverware, beds of famous people locally. There is an industrial archaeology section on how lights, axes, stoves, sewing machines, typewriters have changed over time. They have a good collection of Garifuna handicrafts and the best collection of NE Honduras archaeological pieces -- all unmarked. A written guide to the museum is available at the Trujillo Tourism Office in English and Spanish. The museum is open 8 to 4, closing for lunch. Adults Lps. 20, children Lps. 10. Located on Calle 18 de Mayo, next to the Crystales River and the famous "piscina" or pool, about a 15-minute walk out of town.

ROATAN, THE BAY ISLANDS

CARAMBOLA BOTANICAL GARDENS
located in Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands. A wide variety of exotic plants is featured here, including "Roatan's most extensive orchid collection." It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 445-1117 and ask for Bill or Irma Brady.

BAY ISLANDS MUSEUM
A private museum at Anthony's Key Resort, Sandy Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, it mostly includes archaeological pieces, but there is a small section on the modern Bay Islanders. Museum admission is included in the cost of the dolphin show at Anthony Key's Institute of Marine Sciences. Small buses or taxis will take you to Sandy Bay from most Roatan towns.

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