Fernando Montes Fund and Prize
Fernando Montes died on the 17th January 2007 and in his memory a fund was set up using the generous donations from several friends in the UK and funds provided by the Montes Estate. The aim of the fund is to respond to Fernando’s concern about the difficulties that young artists face in Bolivia at the start of their careers and his wish for a greater emphasis to be placed on the teaching of drawing in the development of artists.
So far the fund, created in 2008 has redesigned and refurbished the gallery at the Fine Arts Academy (the Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes “Hernando Siles”) in La Paz, Bolivia. The new gallery was inaugurated on 20th June 2008 with an exhibition of the best final year students in painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking. The Academy has now centrally situated large and well lit space where young artists can exhibit their work to the public.
The fund has also established in Bolivia a national prize in drawing, the Competition bears the name “Concurso El Valor del Dibujo Fernando Montes-Peñaranda” This annual award is open to Bolivian artists who have not had the opportunity of holding a solo exhibition. The finalists exhibit their work in Galería Nota, one of the most prestigious galleries in Bolivia, and their work is reproduced in a catalogue. The fund presents two cash prizes and 3 diplomas. The project has been established with the cooperation of the Directors of Galería Nota and a committee based in Bolivia. The jury is formed by eminent established Bolivian artists.
The following is an excerpt of the 2008 report “We were extremely happy with the response: 116 artists participated, submitting a total of 167 works. The members of the Jury, art historian Margarita Vila, artists Alfredo La Placa, Fabricio Lara and Pablo Viracocha, and Juan Enrique Montes in representation of the family, chose 37 works, which were exhibited in the Espacio de Arte Nota, one of the most prestigious art galleries in La Paz. The quality of the works exhibited was very high. The prizes were announced and presented to the winners at the private view of the exhibition, on 5th August. A catalogue was printed with illustrations of the top 20 works and named the winners. The event was very well attended.”
“The first prize of US$700 was awarded to Rosmery Mamani; the second prize of US$300 was awarded to Alejandro Archondo, and the following artists received commendations: Edson Viorel Sancalle, Roberto Mamani, Rosendo Quispe Sanchez, Juan Jose Serrano and Rina Mamani. At the exhibition, several artists sold their work and one received a commission. “
The 2009 Competition was also very successful, H.E. Mr. Nigel Baker, British Ambassador in Bolivia Introduced the catalogue and spoke at the opening and Edgar Arandia, Director of the National Museum of Art, formed part of the jury and spoke at the opening.. Sarita Montes attended in representation of the family.
The first prize was won by Franz J. del Carpio and the 2nd Prize by Bernardo López. The following artists received commendations José T. Condori, Gróver Choque and Mauricio Gonzales.
So far the fund, created in 2008 has redesigned and refurbished the gallery at the Fine Arts Academy (the Academia Nacional de Bellas Artes “Hernando Siles”) in La Paz, Bolivia. The new gallery was inaugurated on 20th June 2008 with an exhibition of the best final year students in painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking. The Academy has now centrally situated large and well lit space where young artists can exhibit their work to the public.
The fund has also established in Bolivia a national prize in drawing, the Competition bears the name “Concurso El Valor del Dibujo Fernando Montes-
The following is an excerpt of the 2008 report “We were extremely happy with the response: 116 artists participated, submitting a total of 167 works. The members of the Jury, art historian Margarita Vila, artists Alfredo La Placa, Fabricio Lara and Pablo Viracocha, and Juan Enrique Montes in representation of the family, chose 37 works, which were exhibited in the Espacio de Arte Nota, one of the most prestigious art galleries in La Paz. The quality of the works exhibited was very high. The prizes were announced and presented to the winners at the private view of the exhibition, on 5th August. A catalogue was printed with illustrations of the top 20 works and named the winners. The event was very well attended.”
“The first prize of US$700 was awarded to Rosmery Mamani; the second prize of US$300 was awarded to Alejandro Archondo, and the following artists received commendations: Edson Viorel Sancalle, Roberto Mamani, Rosendo Quispe Sanchez, Juan Jose Serrano and Rina Mamani. At the exhibition, several artists sold their work and one received a commission. “
The 2009 Competition was also very successful, H.E. Mr. Nigel Baker, British Ambassador in Bolivia Introduced the catalogue and spoke at the opening and Edgar Arandia, Director of the National Museum of Art, formed part of the jury and spoke at the opening.. Sarita Montes attended in representation of the family.
The first prize was won by Franz J. del Carpio and the 2nd Prize by Bernardo López. The following artists received commendations José T. Condori, Gróver Choque and Mauricio Gonzales.
