Lio Bumbakini
Lio Bumbakini was an Artist-in-Residence at the Eldorado Springs Art Center during the summer of 2022.
As my time in Eldorado has come to an end - I leave in great wonderment with the taste of the grapes that grace the outer wall of the art center on the tip of my tongue. I leave in great appreciation of how easy it was to be among you, a rare space with rarer souls - I thank you for your sense of initiative, your open arms, patience, and candeur. I leave with my hair wet from the countless dips taken in the canyons creek, which is hands down one of Boulder's 7 wonders. I leave with new memories, and ideas for new possibilities.
More than a creative endeavor, my time in Eldorado Springs has been one of healing and meditation. In said time I’ve learned that Art is and can be a platform for healing, community and communion. No better is the example of the Sound Bath we hosted this late August. To accommodate 40 people in such an intimate fashion is something I think is repeatable in different forms and capsules ranging from healing arts to open-air figure modeling. Though I do think the addition of an outdoor/public restroom would be crucial to this kind of programming being sustainable for the center-possibly where the chicken coop is currently. Live painting during Creekfest was also a great memory - and I will always remember connecting with people as the rain made things interesting.
In conclusion to the prompt we set to fulfill at the start of the residency program - what I’ve learned is to build community you have to provide it a continued opportunity for it be fostered - by seeking and collaborating with talents that are at the peripherals of our inner circle, we can create fresh experiences for our work to be seen in different ways by old and new eyes.
Through the residency program I was able to begin a body of work which will be exhibited on October 21st (5pm-10pm) at The Medusa Collective (7140 Hooker St, Westminster, CO) Sharing some similarities to ESAC - The Medusa Collective is an (albeit) all-women run artist-collective including artist studios and a full gallery space now finishing its first full year of programing. I welcome you to join the opening - as the art center and residency program are among the honorable mentions. Beverages and refreshments will be available.
Furthermore, one of my favorite parts of the program was talking to you all about art things, and life in general, the candidness of it all was refreshing. I also enjoyed bringing other artists and creatives to the center - sometimes to collaborate and other times just to share ideas and conversation. Many revelations were shared and I got the chance to direct my first music video and executive produce a music project in the process.
Thanks again for the opportunity and honor. I wish you the best as you continue to develop this initiative.
As for me, I’ll be moving on to Brooklyn for an extended time period - but look forward to maintaining strong ties to the boulder art community in the foreseeable future as well as throughout the life of my career.
As I leave…I leave cup full.
Gratitude to you.