artist testimonials 2021 -22
Anna Huehold-Illustrator
Germany - May - June 2022
‘I spent 2,5 weeks in Sachaqa and had an amazing time. In Sachaqa I had the chance to live uphill from the little jungle village of San Roque de Cumbaza which is located in the Peruvian jungle. The center is a bit tucked away and not that easy to access which allows a deep experience, surrounded by the jungle and a lot of stillness and inspiration. It’s a place without any diversion which creates a very special vibe. Because I mostly draw digitally as an illustrator I wanted to experience a bigger connection to nature and the more traditional ways to make art. And so I came to Sachaqa to experience the workshops in the painting program, explore how to paint with natural pigments, and get some rest and peace after 8 months of traveling. I was lucky enough to find along my journey this place. I spent the first week alone in the center which took me to my limits and beyond. I was able to rediscover my creativity and a routine, in this special environment which I lost while traveling so much. Trina also gave me the opportunity to experience the ceramics workshop with Petrona and a weaving workshop in Lamas which was a unique experience in the local community, where you learn traditional crafts. I was also able to achieve new knowledge about printing and book-binding techniques and to explore the beauty of the natural pigments which I collected with Trina from the river. And apart from that I was lucky enough to be part of the very welcoming and warmhearted community in San Roque. In the second week was even a big birthday celebration of the little village, with local dance shows and parties and a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who made this stay special!’
IG: @draw_and_wander
antonella raio-sculpture program
Italy - July 2022‘The experience I had at Sachaqa Centro De Arte was total. Everything was perfectly organized to get me into the culture and heart of San Roque de Cumbaza. The people I met are unique in their goodness and talent. I will carry with me every face, sound, and smell that this place has been able to give me.’
seven moons/ painter
USA - April 2022
‘I remember the day I officially knew I was leaving for Sachaqa. My mind was filled with all sorts of wonder. I had never traveled outside my home country alone. So you can only imagine how anxious and nervous I was.
I arrived at Sachaqa on a pouring rainy night. I entered Trina’s bungalow where she greeted me kindly offering me hot tea and fresh cocoa chocolates and off to a wonderful friendship we were.
Sachaqa was a place I went to with a huge desire to learn and make meaningful connections. Thankfully Trina knew where to learn and where to go. I was able to take a couple of ecological paper-making courses, and ceramic lessons and even Trina herself took me to collect pigments.
Thanks to Sachaqa for the once in a lifetime I was provided with a space to create nature, with peaceful silence, and no boundaries. Just me and my art. The results were great! I was able to develop a bright playful style, learn how to be more sustainable in my practice, and how to utilize different rocks, herbs, and pigments.
The best part of all was having these wonderful people turn into family. Thank you Sachaqa for being a home to my art and me.’
DrEa guray/ collage and paper
Quebec - May 2022
‘Last spring, an unexpected chain of events brought me to San Roque de Cumbaza, a small Peruvian village on the threshold of the Amazonian Forest. I was welcomed and guided through this beautiful and inspiring setting by the magnificent, strong, and intuitive artist Trina Brammah.
In San Roque de Cumbaza, I had the chance to live at Sachaga, an art center nested on a mountain surrounded by the jungle. I felt privileged to be able to explore my art as well as an experiment in this creative space without the burden and pressure of results.
Without my usual material for the creation of paper, I was taught to find everything in the nearby jungle. Each plant is well known here for its specificities, uses and properties. One produces tinctures with fruits and paint with pigments found on the ground, we weave with our feet and learn by simply observing more experienced people around us. I learned to take my time, cook plants for hours on a wood fire and crush fiber with stones. It is what Chazuta women do as they produce paper, every day! (emoji)
I also came to realize that art is the most powerful of shamans. It gives means to express oneself, to exist and to heal oneself. I had never fully grasped how art impacted my personal life, how it gives me balance and fullness and how it brings people together.
I wish for everyone to live through such a deeply refreshing and educative experience!
A thousand thanks to the villagers, who welcomed me into their lives, nourished and taught me. Thanks to Pepe who has bionic eyes for finding mushrooms in the forest and to Trina, the visionary. Thanks for willful and deep exchanges that went beyond the limits of language, for feminine friendships that made me stronger, for the French guys who managed to make a mixer appear in the jungle, for musicians and fire dancers. Thanks to Yola the beautiful, to the pachamama and to the village children who have nothing and yet have everything one could ever wish for.’
artist testimonials 2021
ale wendorff/ painter
Lima, Peru - 2021
I had a great experience at Sachaqa, the space is excellent, the location, the fact that it's not easily accessible but you have to go up the hill and being so immersed in nature, I loved it. The studio is good and the accommodation in general too. I also run cultural spaces in Lima and know how exhausting it can be, I really appreciate that you manage Sachaca and that I have been able to spend a season there working quietly, honestly, it seemed like a good time there and I would like to return.
Instagram @ale_wendorff
Ana Balcazar/ visual and mural artist
Lima, Peru - 2021
I went to the art residency in Sachaqa expecting lots of activities, but before I went there, I got ill from my knee, could not walk too much. Sachaqa was the perfect place to rest, to rest from the world… in another world.
I spend most of my time alone in Sachaqa reflecting, which I really appreciated, and in the company and with the help of Mathias, who made my days easier.
We have nice conversations with Trina as well, about the natural pigments, and about life, about my knee problems especially. I felt comfortable with just nature and my watercolors. Since I could not walk, I drew a lot.
I needed silence but the sounds of nature, every night was a wonderful experience to hear all beings full of life, and the bonfires, the power of the fire in the dark.
The amazon rainforest has a special energy, in Sachaqa I felt safe in solitude. I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Instagram: @anabalcazarbartra
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Leonie-Writer
Berlin 2020
I spent four weeks in Sachaqa from winter 2019 to 2020. The beauty of the place is just stunning. Everything is made beautifully simple and I hardly ever felt closer to nature. Every day I went hiking up to the mountain top and got inspiration from the wonderful forest and the breathtaking view over the valleys. Back in our little hut I was able to be very productive and wrote about five songs during my stay. The village is close by down the hill and provides food and very original places to eat. I did not meet Trina in person, as she was on vacation during my stay. But I felt close to her while taking care of the place and her cats. I can recommend Sachaqa to anybody who seeks calmness in nature and is looking for inspiration. I am deeply thankful for having stayed there.
So again thank you and best wishes from Berlin,
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