In Santo Domingo, a celebration of Dominican art, national heritage and cultural identity has launched at the iconic Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón, an institution backed by Banco Popular Dominicano. Titled “Dominican Narratives of the Natural and Cultural Landscape: Banco Popular Dominicano Collection,” the new showcase brings together curated works from 18 of the nation’s most celebrated contemporary and established artists, each offering a unique lens through which to examine the country’s stunning landscapes, long-held traditions and evolving sense of national character.
Organized by noted historian and respected art critic Myrna Guerrero, the exhibition draws exclusively from Banco Popular’s extensive private art holdings, bringing rarely-seen works to public view. The collection spans multiple mediums, including vivid oil paintings, intricate hand drawings, and evocative documentary photography, with thematic threads weaving throughout the entire showcase. Visitors will encounter works exploring the country’s rich biodiversity, the quiet rhythms of rural community life, centuries-old architectural landmarks, shifting dynamics of modern urban spaces, longstanding agricultural traditions, and the intangible cultural heritage that binds Dominican people together.
This new temporary exhibition is a core component of Casa del Cordón’s ongoing public cultural initiative, which was created with a clear mission: to expand equitable public access to Dominican artistic legacy beyond private collections. In addition to rotating temporary exhibitions like this one, the center delivers a full calendar of complementary programming, including hands-on educational workshops for local schools and community groups, and free guided tours led by trained cultural educators to help visitors deepen their understanding of the works on display.
The exhibition opened its doors to the public on July 9, and will run through an open-ended schedule at the central Santo Domingo venue. It is open to the general public from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with no advance reservation required for individual visitors. Alongside the new temporary showcase, guests also have the opportunity to explore the center’s permanent flagship exhibition, “Our First Settlers,” which houses more than 350 original pre-Columbian archaeological artifacts. This permanent collection traces the 5,000-year history of the island’s first Taíno inhabitants, offering a deeper context for the cultural roots that shape modern Dominican identity.