Meet our Vendors/Artists
Vendors/Artists
Merly
Trappenberg
Merly Trappenberg
Merly, originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela, settled in Curaçao in 1970. She
acquired her Civil Engineering degree in Venezuela after returning for studies. Her
connection with art began early, engaging with piano at her home country's
conservatory. Embracing Curaçao as her new home, she immersed herself in painting, drawing, and ceramics at the "Art Academy of Curaçao". Through her art, she
passionately portrays the essence of Curaçao, aiming to preserve its culture and
traditions amidst globalization. Notably, her diverse portfolio includes mixed media
and nudes.
Sulin
S.F. Passial
Sulin S.F. Passial
Sulin S.F. Passial (1986) holds a B.A. in Art & Media Management from the Utrecht School of Arts and is the owner of Pantalla Chica Productions B.V. A company that manages productions, provides talent through its Agency and provides access to Dutch Caribbean films through its streaming platform (TAYA.tv). In recent years, she has worked on numerous local and international projects. She has experience working at Televisa, produced the short film The Legend of Buchi Fil (2009) and the documentary Atardi – Rudy Plaate. With each project she chooses to work on, she keeps the wellbeing and growth of her Island Curacao in mind.
Joke
Birza
Joke Birza
Joke Birza's idea of crafting creative pieces from oyster shells came as a coincidence when her daughter requested a unique Christmas decoration item for her local business. Following very positive public response and private requests for items, Joke Birza expanded and extended her work. "I keep being astonished by nature (read: oysters) of creating such pure, natural and organically shaped forms, they allow to make sustainable and unique pieces varying from interior decoration items to wearable jewellery."
Kaiah
Maduro
Kaiah Maduro
Kaïah is a 15 year old self taught artist
that started painting during the
quarantine in 2020.
Kaïah calls her art "artivism". Which
means that she expresses her views
and opinions through art.
This is her second year participating at
Kaya Kaya.
This years exhibition is called: Soulwoman
The spiritual essence of a person.
In her oil paintings she portraits
women as kind, nature giving,
confident, genuine and understanding.
Jhomar
Loaiza
Jhomar Loaiza
Jhomar Loaiza was born in Coro, Falcón, Venezuela in 1977.
Since he was a child he has had artistic inclinations, perhaps influenced by the abilities that he perceived from his parents. He recognizes teacher Ángel Sánchez, resident of La Vela, one of the first people to teach him painting techniques. Loaiza is defined as a self-taught artist, given that his training during his time at the Tito Salas School of Plastic Arts, was very short in 1996. Of his most outstanding facts within his career as an artist, can be mentioned that he has obtained important painting awards, among them his first prize in 2004.
Un mundu
Sin rasismo
Un mundu
Sin rasismo
Coaches, activists and artists have come together in ‘Ban Wak un Mundu Sin Rasismo’ to create a unique experience that triggers awareness about the impact of our shared history of slavery in everyday dynamics. It invites all Kaya Kaya visitors to see, take responsibility for and actively contribute to a world without racism in their own spheres of influence. Come join us on a journey where inner work meets societal change.
Yuraçisa
Polonia
Yuraçisa
Polonia
Jillian
Sparen
Jillian Sparen
My Name is Jillian Sparen and I am 17 years old. I started painting and making self-made toys with everything I found in my house or garden. My mother always gave me the space and time to do my creative work. After a few years of painting on my own, I decided to take lessons. My father enrolled me in a drawing lesson with one of the island's best painting professors. Each and every one of my pieces are made with a purpose. For some people my paintings are different and for others my paintings are INTENSE AND DEEP and I LIKE TO keep it like that.
Mary
Alejandra
Mary Alejandra
Mary of B’seen Art is a rising talent with boundless creativity and a passion for self-expression.
With a keen eye for colors and textures, she craft stunning resin art pieces that captivate the
senses.
As a starting artist, she fearlessly explore new techniques with epoxy resin and pushing the
boundaries of their craft by exploring with geode forms. Each artwork tells a unique story,
reflecting a person’s journey and emotions. Her dedication to art is evident in every pour, and
she aspire to leave an indelible mark on the world through their art.
Rose-ann
Ignacio
Rose-Ann Ignacio
Rose Ann Ignacio (b. 1991, Curacao) has been painting
since her childhood and has recently started her career as
a full-time artist.
Working in acrylics, she incorporates bold and daring
elements into her pieces. With the use of a very colorful
palette, her paintings blur the lines between ambiguous and
alluring themes.
"It is fascinating how sweets, mouth-watering masses of
sugar, can be seen as something childish and playful, while
at the same time seductive and sexy, yet addictive and
poisonous, but then again delicious and beautiful. These
contrasts are what I hope to capture and share with the
viewers.”
Luis Alberto
Munoz Zabala
Luis Alberto
Munoz Zabala
If you've walked around in Otrobanda, you've undoubtedly seen one of Luis' works of art. He's spray painted arts at the Viaduct in Otrobanda, the barrels at Augusto Fraai and much more. He is an active participator in Kaya Kaya and brings a lot of worth to the festival every year. Luis is also an Otrobandista!
Raïm
Phelipa
Raïm
Phelipa
I’m Raïm Phelipa, born and raised in Curaçao.
For the past seven years, I’ve been a full-time artist specializing in acrylic paint. After completing Havo, I discovered my passion for acrylics at IBB.
My debut exhibition in 2019 was a success, with 28 of 30 paintings sold. Since then, I’ve participated in numerous events, including the 2023 Kaya Kaya Festival. My work is shown both locally and internationally.
I plan to sell prints, engage in more exhibitions, offer painting lessons, and continue delivering my best artworks to my clients.
Hilma
Koelman
Hilma
Koelman
Inspired by the beauty of nature and her surroundings, Hilma Koelman is an award winning painter, who intuitively expresses emotions through abstract paintings. While her art occasionally depicts hints of seascape and flowers she moves away from reality to reach a sense of feel. The movements and the comfort arising from her canvas allows your imagination to run free as the harmony of shapes and colors leaves space for you to create your own story.
Margarita
Haakmat
Margarita
Haakmat
Margarita Haakmat was born on the island of Curacao.
From childhood she loved art, painting, writing poems, short children’s stories, craft and scrapbooking. She participated in different workshops in Cuba, Italy, New York .
She proceeded as self-learning visual artist and participated in different painting expositions in Curacao and Canada. During the recent years she participated in a duo exposition, in different group expositions at Landhuis Bloemhof, mural at Kaya Kaya, mural with group of AHF in Costa Rica, two auctions.
Sophie
Weller
Sophie
Weller
Sophie Weller, known as Art by Soof, is an artist celebrating the beauty and power of the female form. Growing up in The Netherlands, she turned her life around at 30 and, after two years of global travel, settled in the paradise of Curaçao. Always creative, Sophie discovered the joys of painting a few years ago. Her work is inspired by the sensuality and strength of women, capturing their essence in vibrant, and sometimes evocative pieces.
Ashanti
Martha
Ashanti
Martha
Born and raised in Curaçao, Ashanti Martha (20) is an up and coming artist. She spent her early youth with a pencil constantly drawing anything and everything. After highschool she went to the Netherlands to pursue an education in arts. Ashanti practices a wide range of disciplines which results in a series of different art works. She is also open for commission work, as she has experience with making bespoke artwork. With her work she wants to inspire other black creators and give an homage to her Caribbean heritage.
Chiel
van Zelst
Chiel
van Zelst
Chiel van Zelst works and lives in Otrobanda, Willemstad Curaçao. He was born in Amsterdam where he studied Fine Arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy. His specialty is the Urban Cityscape. With speed and vitality he puts his subject on the canvas and gives his own twist to this age-old genre. His vibrant style of painting has been influenced by the 19th Century Impressionists and by contemporary Street Art and Graffiti Culture, together they are combined into a unique new personal style of painting.
Charlotte
Wernet
Charlotte
Wernet
My name is Charlotte Wernet, -Designed for a higher purpose-
I make prophetic paintings.
Through my paintings I relay a message from God.
Every painting is sealed with a bible verse, which tells a story…
Through my paintings I want to inspire you to seek more of his words.
Because I’ve believed the words he has spoken over my life,
I am now walking in his promises.
Yardena
Yardena
Hi my name is Yardena and I'm a hobby photographer, born and raised here in Curacao
I've been taking pictures since I was little and bought my first camera at the age of 9
Like photographing nature and old buildings, during hikes and vacations.
As a former dancer myself, my heart ies in capturing the beauty of movement, agility and strength in dance
I'm a ways looking for ways to get better at photography. hope you enjoy my art.
