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Altos de Chavon
Where
History and Beauty Meet
In 1976, on a verdant plateau 100 miles
east of Santo Domingo--the historic capital of the Dominican Republic--an
extraordinary cultural undertaking began to unfold. Dominican stonecutters,
woodworkers, and iron-smiths combined their crafts to create the rich
architectural landscape that would emerge as Altos de Chavon.
Today this vibrant cultural village perched high above the Chavon River
embodies half a millennium of the island's finest tradition of crafts and
art. The distant mountains of eastern Hispaniola merge with the sea to
create the perfect setting for this celebration of the region's past. Nearby
is Casa de Campo, one of the Caribbean's most complete resorts.
A walk down the cobblestone paths of Altos de Chavon reveals, at every turn,
architecture reminiscent of another era. Coral block and terra cotta
buildings enfold craft workshops, artists’ studios, galleries, shops, and
restaurants. Complementing this tranquil evocation of the past is the
exuberant artistry of today
The Altos de Chavon craft
ateliers are small production centers where trained local artisans execute
ceramic, silk-screen, and woven-fiber products. These works are at once
respectful of the island’s history yet boldly international in design
concept and quality. From the lively clay apothecary jars to the brightly
colored tapestries found in traditional Dominican houses, the craft ateliers
keep the richness of island myth, folklore, and handcrafted expression very
much alive. The posters, note cards, and printed T-shirts produced by the
silk-screen workshop are among the most authentic in the Caribbean.
The performing arts are
showcased in the village's spectacular 5,000-seat open-air amphitheater.
Since its inauguration in 1982 by Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana, the
amphitheater has hosted concerts, symphonies, theatrical events, and
festivals featuring such renowned artists as Julio Iglesias, Gloria Estefan,
Sergio Mendes, Dizzy Gillespie, Air Supply, Pilobulos, and the Dance Theater
of Harlem.
The village is a vital source of inspiration, professional training, and
artistic expression. Diverse educational and artistic programming, in a
breathtaking natural and architectural setting, provides Altos de Chavon
with its unique ability to stimulate creativity and cultural interchange.
The Gallery
The Gallery of Altos de Chavon is dedicated to the promotion of national
culture through the exhibition of Dominican art. A crucial expository
platform for art and design students, the Gallery also serves as host to
high-level international exhibitors. Dominican artists who show at the
Gallery gain vital access to the large number of worldwide visitors to Altos
de Chavon. At the same time, international artists exhibiting at the Gallery
are offered entree to the Dominican art community, resulting in a rich
dialogue and cross-cultural interchange.
The School of Design of Altos de Chavon
The Altos de
Chavon School of Design is located in the international art and design
community of Altos de Chavon in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The School's
multicultural approach to art and design education, encompassing two years
of intensive professional training, encourages graduates to compete in
international design circles, to broaden their education in the fine and
applied arts, and to serve as the creative lifeblood for emerging industry.
The vigorous art and design program leads to the Associate in Applied
Science (AAS) degree in one of four major concentrations: fashion design,
graphic design, interior design, and fine arts/illustration. Under a unique
controlled-curriculum arrangement with Parsons School of Design, qualified
School of Design graduates gain automatic acceptance into the BFA program at
Parsons' New York or Paris campus or at participating art and design
institutions throughout the United States.
The language of instruction is Spanish, with English offering second
language support in most courses. The School of Design faculty is
supplemented by distinguished academics and international design
professionals who serve as lecturers and artists in residence throughout the
academic year. The small class size, excellent student/faculty ratio of 10
to 1, and limited population of 100 students provide an intimate opportunity
for individualized instruction.
Equipped with an AAS degree, earned in a distinctive cross-cultural and
bilingual setting, School of Design graduates emerge with a compelling
professional advantage: the ability to pursue baccalaureate or master's
degrees in the United States and Europe or to embark on successful art and
design careers worldwide.
Both nationally and internationally, School of Design graduates have gained
smooth entry into the full spectrum of art and design fields.
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