LIVING HERITAGE
Passing Knowledge in Aruba
Living Heritage – Passing Knowledge in Aruba is a five-month educational and artistic programme that invites young Arubans to explore the island's Indigenous rock drawings through walking, research, dialogue, and the art of flame-working with hot glass.
Developed as part of SITE – SIDE – SIGHT WALKS, the program connects cultural heritage with contemporary artistic practice, encouraging participants to explore, translate, and pass on Aruba's living heritage.
Explore
Discover the landscape
Explore Aruba's Indigenous rock drawing sites through walking, observation, and conversation.
Experience the landscape where ancient traces still remain.
Create
Transform
Observations and experiences become contemporary artworks through flameworking with hot glass.
Become an ambassador
Share stories, insights, and artworks that connect past, present, and future.
Together, heritage continues to live.
Share
The program
LIVING HERITAGE connects young Arubans with the island's Indigenous rock drawings, encouraging awareness, appreciation, and the passing on of cultural heritage through art. Participants become ambassadors for Aruba's Indigenous heritage, helping to share its stories and inspire future generations.
📅 Duration
5 months
👥 Participants
A small group of 5 young Arubians
🥾 Field visits
Visit Indigenous rock drawing sites across Aruba with archaeologist Harold J. Kelly.
🔍 Artistic research
Learn through observation, dialogue, and reflection.
🔥 Glass workshops
Create contemporary artworks through flameworking.
🤝 Community
Collaborate, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
💭 Reflection
Connect cultural heritage with your own perspective.
🖼 Exhibition
Present the artworks at the National Archaeological Museum Aruba (MANA).
Partners
Living Heritage is developed in collaboration with the National Archaeological Museum Aruba (NAMA) and archaeologist Harold J. Kelly, whose decades of research into Aruba's Indigenous rock drawings provide an important foundation for the program.
The program is made possible through the financial support of Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied.
Gallery
A visual journey through Living Heritage.
Beginning with the first gathering, these images follow the participants as they explore, create, and share Aruba's living heritage.
Follow the journey
Follow the participants as they discover Aruba's Indigenous heritage, translate their observations into contemporary glass artworks, and share their journey.
Discover behind-the-scenes moments, field visits, workshops, and new artworks as the programme unfolds.
Join a future Living Heritage programme
Interested in taking part in a future edition of Living Heritage?
Get in touch to register your interest and be the first to hear about new programmes.
Ancient lines. Shared stories. Living heritage.