Meet keynote speaker Ricardo Benaim (Caracas)

Ricardo Benaim, right, sketching in Caracas.

We are pleased to announce the participation of renowned Venezuelan artist and art teacher Ricardo Benaim as the keynote speaker of this year's Symposium.

Benaim graduated from the Neumann Institute of Design in 1972 and later studied in Paris and New York City, where he also taught at Pratt Institute.

His works have represented Venezuela in international art events throughout Central and Latin America and are part of numerous collections at prestigious institutions, including Galería de Arte Nacional, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art, all in Caracas.

Benaim is also known for leading group projects involving other artists in Latin America, such as Un marco por la tierra (1992-99); 25% (1995-98); Caracas Utópica-Orinoco Utópico (1996-97); Proyecto MAPA (since 1994); Banco Central del Cóndor (since 1999) y Proyecto MAPA América del Sur (since 2009).

His latest projects, Dibuja Caracas and Caracas en 12 puntos, promote urban sketching as a way for Caracas citizens to engage and rediscover their communities. That will be the main subject of his presentation at Centro Cultural de España on Thursday, July 12.

Benaim's presentation at the Symposium is made possible by the sponsorship of Faber-Castell Venezuela.