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Artist in Residence at Avenues São Paulo with Juliana dos Santos
By Aidê Resende, Art Teacher at Avenues São Paulo
The exhibition "Blue Experience" featured a range of compositions created under the guidance of visual artist Juliana dos Santos during the second edition of the Artist in Residence (AIR) program at Avenues São Paulo. The title, developed in collaboration with the artist and the school community, captures the essence of the process experienced throughout her residency. The artworks were created by students from different groups, from Small World to 11th grade, and express their interpretations of the fluidity of water and the unexpected forms that emerged during the creative process. Juliana believes that "blue is a sensitive experience, a place of connection that everyone shares," an idea that guided the sessions, where the color blue transcended simple representation, becoming a shared experience.
Hosting a resident artist, in a way, is similar to opening your home to a special guest. In this sense, it was heartwarming to witness how the students and educators prepared to welcome Juliana. This care created environments where the fast pace slowed down, allowing for a pause, the artist was embraced, and the moments with the school community were filled with discoveries and exchanges.
Juliana is one of those artists who draws you into a world of mystery and enchantment. Her work has a level of spirituality that leans toward the abstract, and this commitment was essential to the process. In her sessions, she did not impose strict boundaries on form or function, encouraging students to explore different possibilities. "I felt the need to take myself out of the scene and create spaces where the audience had to imagine with me," Juliana explains. And that’s exactly what happened: students and educators were invited to observe the fleeting nature of forms and colors, broadening their artistic perception. In the background, a carefully curated playlist featuring songs that embraced the theme of "blue" added another layer of connection to the experience.
This immersion provided participants with a wider perspective, not only on the creative process but also on the importance of art as a means of dialogue between individuals and society. Throughout the program, it became clear how colors—especially the blue explored by the artist—play a central role in historical and cultural narratives, carrying deep and symbolic meanings beyond mere aesthetics. This exploration revealed that the history of colors is not just a technical study but also a way to understand how colors shape our perception and carry the voices and stories of different cultures and periods.
The artistic process transformed from a practical endeavor to a poetic experience, guided by the mystery that Juliana brings to her art and by a deep reflection on the role of the color blue in individual and collective memories.
More than a series of workshops, the AIR was an immersion where art and creative thinking shaped unique and transformative pathways.
Avenues São Paulo Artist-in-Residence Program is a unique and innovative initiative that brings contemporary artists, such as Flávio Cerqueira and Juliana dos Santos, directly into the classroom. This program offers students a rare opportunity to engage with the creative process through hands-on learning from professional artists.