By Danielle Finnegan | April 3, 2026 | Guanacaste
Community
Destination

At the Art Studio at Papagayo Park is brought to life by the team, with Mariana Jiménez Zúñiga leading a teaching approach that blends creativity, cultural heritage and a deep connection to place.

Trained in visual arts and graphic design, Mariana leads a weekly program of workshops spanning ceramics, painting, printmaking and mixed media. Her classes are rooted in the landscapes and creative spirit of Guanacaste, inviting participants to create pieces inspired by the natural surroundings while exploring techniques connected to Costa Rica’s artistic legacy. “All the classes and projects are related to our environment, whether in cultural or natural terms,” she says.

Ceramics sit at the heart of Mariana’s practice. She is especially passionate about pre-Columbian ceramics and the ocean, two influences that continue to shape her work and the classes she leads. One of her most important pieces, exhibited at the Museo de Arte Costarricense, was inspired by Chorotega pottery, reflecting her admiration for ancestral techniques and forms.

Through her workshops, Mariana introduces participants to hand-building methods rooted in indigenous traditions while encouraging personal expression and discovery. That connection is further enriched by Brandon Romero, who was born and raised in Guaitil and brings an especially authentic link to the region’s pottery traditions and pre-Columbian techniques. Through his knowledge of indigenous methods, iconography, and symbolism, he adds depth to the studio’s clay programming, grounding it in local heritage and tradition.

For Mariana, art is more than a skill. It is a form of active meditation and a way of helping people slow down, focus and connect more deeply with their surroundings. Through her guidance, and through the collective strength of the team, the Art Studio has become a place where residents and guests can engage with the spirit of Guanacaste through clay, color and contemporary expression.

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