Monte Azul Contemporary Art was proud to host José Pablo Solís as Artist in Residence for the month of July, 2008.

A graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica where he is now professor, Solís produced numerous mixed media and acrylic works on paper, and several medium sized canvases in Monte Azul’s painting studio.

With primary and secondary colors as the dominant hues, his strong brush strokes reveal a fusion of earlier periods of his career. Geometric shapes are balanced by whimsical colors of his tropical homeland and tempered by serene compositional structures—which the artist attributes to the natural serenity of the Chirripó River Valley.

Guests at Monte Azul Hotel were afforded the opportunity to visit with José Pablo in the studio, observe his process, and even participate in an introductory workshop on painting techniques.

Following his stay, select Solís collectors were invited to enjoy a weekend at Monte Azul and preview José Pablo’s newest works prior to the New York debut. A dinner reception was held just steps from the artist studios at our newest reception space, Casa de Palo Alto.

Monte Azul was honored to host Solís’ first New York exhibition featuring this newest body of work on September 25, 2008.

To celebrate the event, Monte Azul Press selected three works from which to develop very limited edition screenprints: Transformación, Interacción Chimirol 2 and Interacción Chimirol 4.

Please contact Monte Azul for details.

A body of new works on paper and canvas are on exhibition at MACA New York,including his first ever series of screenprints.

Monte Azul Designs announces the Puente Collection of fine furniture for the home and office. Produced from reclaimed hardwoods, including Tirrá, Tropical Oak and Madroño.

The finest craftsmanship and attention to detail brings out the natural beauty of these aged woods, using only organic, non-toxic and biodegradable finishes.

Constructed over three generations ago, the bridge spanned the Chirripó River passing Monte Azul at 4,000 ft above sea level. In late 2007 the bridge was replaced with a wider, modern concrete structure in order to accommodate the valley’s growing coffee and dairy production. Monte Azul took the opportunity to reclaim the wood from the bridge to bring you the Puente Collection.

The grain and color of the aged wood shows a depth and grain associated with only the finest aged hardwoods.

The collection includes coffee tables, end tables, console tables, dining tables, in addition to dinning chairs and decorative accessories.

While the Puente collection, as captured in the photo series below, is available for sale, Monte Azul Design is a full service design and construction company capable of taking any design, idea, or unique space, and create the perfect custom finished product for the customer.

Monte Azul’s wood products are all produced on site, under the stewardship of master woodworker, Rolando Mora.

Cutting boards in various shapes and sizes, made to order, are built using discards of precious tropical hardwoods.

The government of Costa Rica has undertaken the ambitious challenge of making Costa Rica the first carbon neutral nation. In an effort to combat decades of deforestation, costa rica now protect the existing rain forest and has instituted plans to plant 7 million new tress over the next decade.

ICE, the nation’s government owned power and telephone company, has instituted a special program where trees are donated to individuals and companies who wish to plant them.

After a special evaluation by a Forestal Engineer, Monte Azul was authorized to receive over 500 tropical saplings, native to our region.

Cristobal Martínez, Forest Manager and organic coffee expert, directs the planting, care and management of the reforestation effort.
Art Patrons and Hotel Guests Contribute
A portion of all proceeds from art patrons and hotel guests goes directly to our reforestation efforts.