The Olger Villegas Cruz Gallery at the José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center, located in San Ramón, is hosting the exhibition “Paisaje Marino” (“Seascape”), a collection by visual artist Lucía Flores León that evokes sensations and images of the sea and coastlines.
- Visual artist Lucía Flores evokes the coasts, the sea, and its wildlife through an exhibition available at the Olger Villegas Cruz Gallery of the José Figueres Cultural and Historical Center, in San Ramón.
The Olger Villegas Cruz Gallery at the José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center, located in San Ramón, is hosting the exhibition “Paisaje Marino”, a collection by visual artist Lucía Flores León that evokes sensations and images of the sea and coastlines.
The artworks depict skies and sunsets, economic activities in the area, animals, and the distinctive lifestyle of these regions. The pieces are crafted using various techniques that create colorful textures and unique appearances.
The exhibition comprises 18 works; some use volcanic clays and different firing techniques to produce colors and finishes that, according to the artist, lean toward the pictorial, while still maintaining the essence of ceramic technique.
“I’m very fond of the seascape. I’ve been developing this theme for quite a few years. I also challenge myself with the techniques and sizes. It’s a theme I’ll continue to explore—even though I wasn’t born on the coast, I truly enjoy the color of the sea, the silver tones, the moon, the overall landscape, and the sensations it evokes. These are sculptural aesthetic works, using sculptural techniques, but we can never disregard ceramic procedures, because the technique demands it,” explained the artist.
The collection is a compilation of works that have previously been exhibited at the Calderón Guardia Museum, the University of Costa Rica, and other venues.
“I try to express, through materials and in a three-dimensional way, those sensations, those places, the lived experience, drawing on the incredible richness of having two coasts. The landscape we have in our country is truly marvelous,” the artist concluded.
As the artist explained, some pieces go into the kiln up to five times to achieve certain effects. Another distinctive feature of the collection is the use of the box as a common structural and conceptual element—an element that also emerged through experimentation.
Lucía Flores León holds a degree in Visual Arts with an emphasis in ceramics from the University of Costa Rica. She also pursued high-tech ceramics studies in Brazil. For about 20 years, she dedicated herself to teaching this art form and is currently focused on artistic creation.
According to the CCHJFF, Flores has held both solo and group exhibitions at this venue; she also presented her students’ work during her teaching career.
“For the institution, it’s a great opportunity to bring works of this artist’s caliber to San Ramón, but above all, it’s a special occasion to celebrate our 28th anniversary with a Costa Rican artist who has, throughout the history of the Center, collaborated in various ways and on multiple occasions with our cultural promotion efforts,” reported the CCHJFF.
Wílmer Oconitrillo Espinoza, director of the CCHJFF, stated: “It’s important for neighboring communities to turn their attention back to artistic and exhibition spaces. Though few, they hold significant value. Beyond promoting culture, they are also spaces for recreation accessible to everyone. Families can view a gallery like Olger Villegas with its exhibitions as a place to enjoy and contribute to the development of young children through the richness of art. The thoughtful contemplation of an exhibition like that of ceramist Lucía Alfaro Flores, like many others displayed here, stimulates creativity, and encourages the exploration and appreciation of fine arts.”
The exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center in San Ramón, until July 5, 2025. Free admission, open to the public.
