Retiro de Escultores en la Academia de Arte Old Lyme 2026

For the second time, I had the honor of being invited to the Old Lyme Academy of Art, in Connecticut, to participate in the Sculptors Retreat, a weekend entirely dedicated to figurative sculpture.

This is a very special gathering where sculptors from different parts of the world meet not only to share knowledge but also to live together, observe each other work, and, above all, build community. Throughout these days, lectures, work sessions, and moments of exchange revolve around the human figure. This year, we also had the opportunity to sculpt a horse, which added a different and very enriching dimension to the exercise.

Beyond the technical aspects, what makes this gathering unique is the spirit that permeates it. It is a space deeply marked by rigorous academic training, where many of the participants have followed traditional trajectories within sculpture. This creates a very particular feeling that accompanies my presence: that of not quite fitting into that profile.

My path has been different, largely self-taught, guided by intuition, experimentation, and personal exploration. And yet, it is precisely for this reason that this invitation acquires an even deeper meaning. Being received, heard, and valued within a community with such a solid academic foundation is something I do not take for granted. On the contrary, I experience it as a gesture of openness and recognition that I deeply appreciate.

Returning this year also allowed me to reconnect with people I met in the previous edition, and at the same time, meet new voices, new perspectives. From these encounters genuine bonds are born, those built on mutual admiration, honest conversation, and time shared in the studio. Bonds that, I am sure, endure beyond those intense days of work.

The Sculptors Retreat is not just an event: it is a reminder that, beyond differences in training or trajectory, there is a common language that unites us as sculptors. A language made of matter, observation, silence, and presence.

And perhaps the most valuable thing is what happens afterward: I return home recharged, stimulated, with new ideas and renewed energy to continue working. As if each encounter leaves a mark that slowly transforms into new pieces.