In 2020 in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, artist and Guajira native, Lido Pimienta, was contacted by a local community in Wayuu territory, to help them restore a small building.  After visiting the site, Lido and those same locals put their minds together and started to dream up an ideal place where they could foster and share ancestral knowledge for their community, by their community.

Since then the project has evolved and conceptualized into a project with a clear plan to become a fully fledged and self-sustained school. The images shown in this presentation are of the renders of the designs-created in collaboration and with the guidance of STUDIO LUZ https://www.studioluz.net/

Renders by STUDIO LUZ

All rights reserved.

The sites for the schools are located in the city of Riohacha and the in the village of Villanueva. The aim for these schools is to bring visual culture and indigenous Wayuu knowledge to local communities from Wayuu docents and practicing artists working today, in a lot(s) of land protected by the Wayuu- built with local indigenous materials and sustainable architecture, to help local indigenous communities receive an education in arts development, different artist techniques, social media literacy and childcare at no cost.

Territory/Background:

La Guajira is host to Colombia’s biggest open pit coal mine in the world, El Cerrejon. The brutal extraction of coal (since 1985), has displaced entire communities, causing malnourishment, low quality public health and poor access to high education or trades that could improve their quality of life and own knowledge. But despite all of the challenges faced by the Guajira and Wayuu peoples, they are resilient and also a thriving and developing community for eco-tourism, cultural exchange and stunning landscapes, of desert land as well as lush rivers.  Culture is lead by women, the Wayuu are a matriarchal society and thus everything they weave and create with their hands and minds reflects their brilliance and strength. 

This project aims to create a cultural safe space first, but ultimately the main goal is to offer employment and foster a self sustaining community; one where tradition meets present and future art and design.

For any additional questions email lidopimientart@gmail.com

If you are interested in investing or donating a bigger sum for this project, please email us at lidopimientart@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting!

Lido Pimienta School Project Team

2024/25