History of Arte Michell
“WHERE THERE IS EMOTION THERE IS ART, WHERE THERE IS ART THERE IS LIFE, WHERE THERE IS LIFE THERE IS HOPE, WHERE THERE IS HOPE THERE IS REDEMPTION." - Luis A. Ferre
In 1980, a unique social project was conceived during a family trip to the town of Cabanaconde, in the Caylloma province of Arequipa. The purpose of this initiative was and continues to be to support and develop Peruvian artists who have limited economic resources but are rich in talent.
The National Painting Competition of Michell y Cia., a project created through the dedication and initiative of Pilar Olivares Rivero and Michael Michell Stafford, has significantly contributed to the evolution of watercolor and oil painting techniques in Peru. Both techniques have acquired greater complexity and, therefore, greater value. In this way, it promotes the development of a more complete Peruvian artist.
Arte Michell began as a regional initiative focused on the watercolor technique. It soon evolved to become one of the main painting competitions in Peru, incorporating oil painting along the way while consistently maintaining the spirit of supporting the artist’s development year after year.
Convinced that continuity necessarily involves change, after more than four decades of extraordinary trajectory, we have chosen to reinvent the National Art Competition. It is now redefined as Arte Michell. This is a small change on the surface, but it opens a gateway to a world of limitless possibilities. Arte Michell is resuming its path, this time
focusing on Peruvian textiles among other categories. Inspired by the ancestral customs of Peruvian weavers, the Board of Arte Michell has begun the task of contributing to the revival and evolution of the Peruvian Weaver. A true Peruvian artist who bases their work on millennia-old techniques from the coast, highlands, and jungle. These techniques date back to the Paracas and Chancay cultures. These processes are often so complex that it can take the artist more than a day of work to weave just a few centimeters of fabric.
With the same enthusiasm that Pilar Olivares R. and Michael Michell S. had in 1980, this social initiative is now redefined but still continues. This time, it is focused and committed to the evolution of Peruvian textiles.
We invite you to get to know Arte Michell, and to accompany us on our new path.
With deep gratitude, the Michell and Bedoya Stafford family.