| I just returned from Cuba where, working alongside Ukrainian-Mexican artist Andrew Osta and Cuban painter Alexis Tápanes Orsa. I have the great pleasure of being a part of a grassroots initiative to support Cuban artists — many of whom, like the majority of Cubans, are living through an ongoing and deepening crisis that extends far beyond the economic.
This project has a simple but powerful mission:
To identify and acquire high-quality Cuban art, offer artists immediate compensation, and hand-carry their work to Mexico and beyond for exhibition and resale. When a piece sells, we reinvest directly in the artist, building sustainable creative income in a place where there is little to no local market and almost no international visibility.
From my arrival several weeks ago, I have not seen a single American tourist. The few travelers here are mostly young European backpackers — warm-hearted but with little means or interest in buying art. Havana is quiet, the power outages are frequent, and the economic outlook is grim — yet the creative spirit remains astonishingly alive.
This is a labor of love: a commitment to preserve and elevate a uniquely rich and endangered cultural voice, shaped by resilience, poetry, and beauty in the face of scarcity.
We are particularly focused on supporting artists whose work would otherwise remain unseen — artists who continue creating despite blackouts, water shortages, and historic disillusionment.
This is an invitation to be part of a meaningful, ethical, and artist-led initiative. We believe that investing in Cuban art is investing in dignity, visibility, and cultural preservation. Even a small contribution at this early stage can create real, lasting impact.
You can learn more on our site (still under construction): www.art-now.net
A catalogue will soon be available of all of the growing pieces of art both from Ukraine as well as Cuba.
If you’d like to get involved, we’re open to collaborators, sponsors, and conversations. |
Those of you who have been part of the Be Well community over the years likely know and appreciate the remarkable talent of my friend and longtime collaborator, Andrew Osta.