During August 2025, the Cartaginian Culture Center, part of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, will host the international exhibition “Portrait of America in its Women” by Argentine visual artist Javier Orlando Pelichotti.

The exhibition, composed of a photographic installation featuring ten large-scale works, pays tribute to the working women of the American continent.

Each piece is overlaid on century-old Italian musical scores, enriched with pigments and minerals sourced from various regions of Argentina, and sealed with a natural vegetable lacquer.

According to the Cartaginian Culture Center, this series is curated by Cartaginian artist Virginia Azócar. It has already been shown in major museums in Venezuela, Argentina, and India, and will soon be featured at the Havana Biennial in Cuba.

After its inauguration, the exhibition will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Javier Orlando Pelichotti was born in Argentina in 1975. He holds a degree and postgraduate specialization in Creativity from the National University of Cuyo. He has served as curator at the Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia (Brazil) and as a university professor. His career includes more than 250 exhibitions in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Spain, India, Japan, and Mexico. He has participated in 39 international biennials, served as a juror in prestigious competitions, and received multiple awards and honors for his artistic work.

This project is being carried out in collaboration with various local entities, including the Cultural Promotion Program of the National Distance Education University (UNED), the UNED Senior Citizen Program, the Cartago Regional Education Directorate, Cartago University College, the Cartago Civic Center for Peace, the “De la Mano con el Adulto Mayor” Association of Tablón de El Guarco, the Matices Collective, and Cartaginian artist Virginia Azócar.

Complementary Activities

During his visit to Costa Rica from August 2 to 10, artist Javier Orlando Pelichotti will take part in a series of cultural events and artistic exploration workshops, including:

• Artistic intervention with the Matices Collective. Wednesday, August 6, 9 a.m., Cartaginian Culture Center.
• Artistic gathering at Houses and Cultural Centers. Friday, August 8, at the Alfredo González Flores National House of Culture. (For a pre-registered audience.)
• Artistic exploration workshops (for pre-registered groups). Monday, August 3, Tablón de El Guarco Community Hall, Cartago.
• Visits to cultural spaces. Thursday, August 7, at the Ministry of Culture and Youth’s cultural venues in San José; Saturday, August 9, collaboration visit to Turrialba.

The artist’s visit is self-managed, supported by community lodging and local contributions.