Costa Rica Art

With exception to a few native crafts, the Costa Rican art scene is largely underdeveloped. Without the social unrest and suffering that defined the truly great art movements of the Latin America, Costa Rica's visual arts have remained stagnant, reflecting the country's relatively benign colonial history and its affinity to epitomize the poor and humble rural tico.

The new generation of local artists have brought a refreshing and mature style to the contemporary art scene of Costa Rica. Their art is usually on display at various galleries around the Central Valley.

Where you can see and buy art:


Alliance Francaise		Ave. 7, Calle 5 Featuring about two exhibits each month by local and foreign artists.
Amir Art Gallery		Ave. Central, Calles 1 & 3 Works by local and foreign artists.
Casa de la Cultura		In Heredia, north side of the park Temporary displays by the province's artists.
Central Bank Galleries		Below the Plaza del Cultura Tues - Sun: 10:am - 5:pm Temporary exhibitions and occasionally paintings for sale.
Enrique Echandi Gallery		Behind the National Theater Temporary exhibits by national and international artists year-round.
Galeria 825		100 mts. south of the Aduana Theater Featuring renowned, mostly Tico artists.
Galeria Andromeda		100 mts. south of the National Insurance Institute Featuring temporary exhibits, mostly by national artists.
Galeria Contemporanea		In the Coconut Shopping Center, behind Paseo Colon Exhibits by local artists.
Galeria Expresiva		75 mts. west of Sala Garbo Modern and traditional Latin American art.
Galeria FCB Siboney		300 mts. south of Pops on La Sabana Occasionally features works by national and foreign artists.
Galeria Kandinsky		Centro Comercial de la Calle Real, San Pedro Mon - Sat: 10:am to 12:pm, 2:pm to 7:pm Specializes in contemporary Hispanic art.
Garcia Monge Gallery		Behind the National Theater Temporary exhibits by foreign and local artists year-round.
Galeria Octubre 8		75 mts. west of Paseo Colon's Pizza Hut Featuring primitive Costa Rican art.
Galeria Valanti		8° Escalante Fine artwork by international and renowned national artists.
Goethe Institute		On the road to San Pedro Featuring German art year-round.
Hispanic Culture Institute		100 mts. west of National Insurance Institute Changing exhibits of works by national and international artists.
Instituto Anglo-Costaricense de Cultura		50 mts. south of the Subaru Angency in Los Yoses Exhibits of contemporary art.
Jacobo Karpio Gallery		Ave. 1, Calle 15-13 High-quality exhibits by foreign and local artists year-round.
Jose Figueres Gallery		In the Metropolitan building Features works by one local artist per month.
Juan Santamaria Museum		200 mts. north of the Alajuela Park. Displays by international and renowned national artists year-round.
La Mascara Theater Café		50 mts. north of Dr. Echandi's vet clinic Exhibits by new Costa Rican artists year-round.
Legislative Assembly		Some rooms devoted to displays by national and international artists.
Melico Salazar Theater		Vestibule, Cental Park Local folkloric and modern art.
Mexican Culture Center		Calle 19, N° 14 Featuring Mexican works.
Museum of Costa Rican Art		East side of La Sabana Tues - Sat: 8:30 to 5:pm Sunday: 9:am - 5:pm Permanent collection of works by local artists, as well as temporary collections.
Museum of Religious Art		In the church and convent of Orosi, Paraiso de Cartago
Museum of Religious Art - Our Lady of Pilar		South side of the Tres Rios Church, Cartago
National Gallery of Contemporary Art (GANAC)		In the National Library building Mon - Sat: 10:am - 5:pm Temporary exhibits
National Museum		Downtown San José Occasionally offers exhibits by renowned foreign and local artists.
National Theater Café		Changing exhibits of works by national and foreign artists.
Shakespeare Gallery		In Sala Garbo, attached to theater café. 4:pm to 11:pm
Sophia Wanamaker Gallery		In Centro de Cultural Costarricense - Norteamericano, Barrio Dent Local and international arts and crafts exhibits year-round.
Union Club		Occasionally features fine art exhibits by local and international artists.

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