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Aruba Mural Tours, a sister initiative of ArtisA, the esteemed organizers of the Aruba Art Fair, offers an immersive exploration of the island’s burgeoning street art scene. This unique tour is led by the very influencers and visionaries behind the Art Fair itself, providing an authentic narrative to the vibrant murals that adorn the city of San Nicolas.
The tours are crafted to give participants an insider’s view, with stories told by the artists and cultural leaders who have been the driving force in the transformation of San Nicolas into an iconic Art District. These guides are the curators of the murals’ stories, sharing personal anecdotes and the rich history behind each piece. They bring the walls to life, revealing the creative journey from concept to completion.
The mural in Bogota, Colombia, featuring a joyous boy playing the trumpet amidst a splash of colors with the inspiring phrase “Art for Life…”, was a turning point for Tito Bolivar in 2015. This encounter with the city’s dynamic street art filled him with a desire to see similar vibrancy on his home island. Returning to Aruba, Bolivar felt a cultural emptiness and set out to infuse the island with creativity. He extended invitations to renowned international artists such as BordaloII and Bond Truluv to join his mission in transforming the overlooked town of San Nicolas into a buzzing Art District.
Working alongside local talent and cultural advocates, Bolivar orchestrated a movement that gave rise to the Aruba Art Fair. This pivotal event turned into an annual celebration that continues to bestow San Nicolas with permanent gifts of public art. The streets are now adorned with works that encapsulate the island’s newfound artistic spirit, visible to all throughout the year. This metamorphosis, driven by the hands of visionary artists and a myriad of cans and acrylic paint, has successfully reshaped Aruba’s identity into a One Happy Art Island.
In just a few short years, San Nicolas has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. From a town that was almost forgotten in 2016, it has surged to prominence as the street art capital of the Caribbean, a title bestowed upon it by Forbes magazine in 2019. This transformation has been nothing short of astonishing.
The streets of San Nicolas now boast an international gallery of works by top-tier artists hailing from Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, and Greece. This diverse tapestry of cultural expression has turned the town into a pulsating hub of creativity, drawing art lovers and tourists from across the globe to experience its vibrant allure.
The transformation of San Nicolas is a testament to the power of art in revitalizing communities and shaping new cultural narratives. It stands as a beacon of inspiration, showing the world how vision, collaboration, and creativity can redefine a place’s identity and destiny.
