Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó

“Art as a social change tool”

This Project was born from Atitlán Lake’s love and conservation consciousness. There are two dutch artists, Jeroen Koolhaas and Dre Urhahn (Haas and Hahn), who have created murals in entire communities all over the world. The success of these projects is due to local involvement in the territory they execute. They assure it creates a feeling of possession, love of their community, pride, wellness and, therefore, economic growth. Harris and Melissa Whitbeck are one of the founders of this amazing project. They have a gorgeous house in Santa Catarina Palopó, and they stand that this place, seen from above, looked like a big white canva which had to be exploited with art and culture.

There are 2 phases in this project: 1. Determine the houses’ colors palette and designs (Combination of colors, flowers and animals) and 2. Execute the designs and painting. This second phase is being done by the direction of local designers, gathering again with the community.

Local authorities have been open to this project because they believe there’s a positive impact in any kind of aesthetic change, involving the local people.

So this breathtaking project, along with Muchá Swimwear, created 2 trunks to support and enhance this initiative, donating a percentage directly to the development and continuity of Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó. These trunks are named “Los Pájaros” and “Las Casitas”

“Los Pájaros”

Muchá designed this trunk with birds and flowers combination, which happens to be designed by local people and a fun color palette. These colors were minutely chosen by the founders. Every color, flower and animals depicted in this shocking trunk has its special meaning, respecting the project’s essence.

“Las Casitas”

Muchá Swimwear, adopting the project’s main idea, designed this trunk representing the front view of Santa Catarina Palopó, where “las casitas” or little houses, look like they are inspired by a beautiful bedtime story, mixed with an artsy twist touch.

Nowadays, the founders of this project are thinking about creating an even more attractive place, where you can stay a few hours, even days, spend money to boost the economy and create a more stable development. So we have to stay tuned about their next moves.

If you want to more information about this amazing project, please visit the official website https://pintandoelcambio.com/es/  and help them reach their goal painting 960 houses.

Click here to to take a look at our trunks

(All pictures were taken from the official website https://pintandoelcambio.com/es/ )