Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The National Institute of Culture and History is doing a call for nominations for this year's Youth Artist Award.  The winner will receive $1000 towards their education and development, so if you know of anyone, now is the time to nominate them.  The deadline for nominations is May 23rd.

Elvis Avila was NICH's National Arts and Culture award recipient last year.

Congratulations to the winners of the Juried Photographic Exhibition!  It must've been difficult for the judges to decide, although the Chiquibul Sunrise from Roni Martinez is very impressive.

Color 1st Place: Chiquibul Sunrise by Ronaldi Martinez

Color 2nd Place: Girls on a bicycle by Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut

Color 3rd Place: The eyes of color by Jenny Guerra Ruiz

Black/White 1st Place: A time to reflect by Fernando Cruz

Black/White 2nd Place: Hummingbird at Sunset by Sandrina Svetlana DePaz

Black/White 3rd Place: El Chichlero by Elvis Avila

Congratulations to Benque's, Elvis Avila, for being NICH's National Arts and Culture award recipient.  Viva la Lens of Culture!

"Awesome news!!!!!!!!  Benque House of Culture salutes, Elvis Avila on a major accomplishment as the National Arts & Culture recipient by the Institute of Creative Arts (NICH) 2013, join us in wishing him well in development of the Arts & Culture in the community & Belize!  Felicidades Elvis!"

Benque had their El Santo Entierro Procession, and Elvis Avila from Lens of Culture was there to capture the moments.

"El Santo Entierro culminates 'Good Friday' observations in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, three major floats or better know 'Andas' adorn the lrge solemn procession, young women and children take 'La Virgen de Dolores' & 'San Juan' while men take the 'Santo Entierro' accompanied by the Benque Viejo, Mount Carmel & the BDF Marching Bands.  The procession starts at 6:00 p.m. and ends tentativly at 9:45 p.m.  Many devoted Benquenos & native visitors offer their respects and to their duly christian duties on an annual basis.  Image courtesy of Elvis Avila for Lens of Culture 2013"

CACHE has a new executive team, and Elvis Avila is the new president.  Looks like it'll be a great year for art and culture for CACHE. 

https://www.facebook.com/BenqueHOC/posts/733862189970724

https://www.facebook.com/BenqueHOC/posts/733828603307416

Belize is represented well in Suriname at Carifesta XI.  The Institute of Creative Arts has some good pictures up, and the Belize National Dance Company has some great videos up too.  Have fun, everyone!

"We've been highlighting our talented Jaguars and all our sports teams this week making us proud in sports arena but we've also got a delegation of Belizeans showcasing our artistic side in Paramaribo, Suriname. This talented group left the country last Wednesday, August 14th and they are representing our beautiful country well!

Dance -Belize National Dance Company
Music - Galen Eagles Band
Youth - Elvis Avila – Winner- Youth Artist of the Year/ National Festival of Arts
Fashion - Joris Hendrik-Groennendaal
Fashion (Jewelry) - Khadija Assales
Craft – Aurelio Sho & Adeliah Ishim
Jackie Castillo - head of Fashion & Craft
Literary arts –Felene Cayetano & Selene Solis
Visual Arts – Alex Sanker & Rachael Heusner
Theatre – ‘My Body is Precious’ – Jael August, Carson Perrote, Rushelle Babb, Alexander Viveiros
Film & Media Arts - Shelby Castillo

Thanks for representing us well!"

Benque really does a lot during Holy Week, and this year was no exception.  On Good Friday, they had their annual Sawdust Art Project.  The Benque House of Culture got some good pictures of the event, once again with some help from Elvis Avila.

"Image's courtesy of Elvis Avila 'Lens of Culture 2013'"

The Benque House of Culture had the Ecce Homo art exhibit launch.

"In Celebration of the Centennial of the Pallotine Sisters and their service to Belize, comes the project 'Ecce Homo' an art project of 5 master pieces that depict the life of Jesus.  This exhibition will be permanently hosted at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.  The Project was executed by local Artists Mike Mauricio, since 1992 under the vision of Father John Mc.Hugh and the Parish Committee.  It is a dream come true for the community of Benque Viejo.  Exhibition runs until April 19th, 2013 at the Benque HOC.  Re-replica's of the original art pieces are available for $10.00.  Images courtesy of Elvis Avila for Lens of Culture"