Pinta Panama

Along with the Panama Jazz Festival which attracts name musical talent from Latin America and the US, there was an outdoor painting exhibition featuring artists from all over Panama. We set up around a square in the Old Section of Panama City - Casco Viejo - in the morning and the goal was to finish a painting by the afternoon.

The sponsors did a great job supplying awnings, water and soda for the artists. Doug and I drove down to Panama City with all my art supplies. The subject of the painting was a child "Devil Dancer" we had seen in Chitre the prior spring.

There were about 60 artists - students, professional artists, and anyone who wanted to join in. It was great fun. At the end they held an auction of paintings -- not many sold, but it was a good opportunity to see what the local art community produces.

I had a great time painting, and Doug got a chance to walk around the venue, see the stages set up for the concerts in the evenings, and enjoy the people watching! I made friends with several of the artists and even ended up with my photograph in a local magazine - El Mundo Social!!