A JOURNEY TO THE SOUL OF GUNA YALA

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has announced that a thirty-minute documentary focusing on a student-centered program underway at the University of Miami Lowe Art Museum has been nominated for a 2018 Suncoast Regional EMMY Award. 

A Journey to the Soul of Guna Yala, was produced and directed by University of Miami alumna, Stella M. Holmes and presented in partnership with WPBT2 South Florida PBS. It is a story of the art and culture of the indigenous Guna Yala people who have lived in the beautiful San Blas Islands off the coast of Panama for hundreds of years, as they struggle to maintain their culture including the legacy of their art - the art of mola making. Molas are handmade textiles that reflect the world of the Guna Yala people and their story of survival. They are used in making the traditional clothing of Guna women, and have become much sought-after collectable art. 

Through a museum study program called, ArtLab @ The Lowe, small groups of university students from various study disciplines have the opportunity not only to create their own exhibition for the museum, but to become immersed in the cultural world of those who created that art. In ArtLab @ The Lowe, students use art from the Lowe’s permanent collection as themes for their exhibitions.  The Lowe first began collecting mola art in 1994 and it was determined these unique pieces would make a perfect exhibition for students to research and display. 

A Journey to the Soul of Guna Yala was produced in the San Blas Islands, the mainland of Panama, and at the Lowe Art Museum where Ms. Holmes is actively engaged in helping students become more aware of the importance of art and its ability to bridge cultural divides. This documentary not only highlights the student’s mola art exhibition, but also follows their journey to the islands as they are immersed in the culture of the Guna people and the women who create mola art.  Along the way, the documentary explores the past, present, and possible future of the Guna people as the much more modern world of mainland Panama lures many away from the islands at the likely expense of their cultural heritage – including the art of mola making.   

Highlighted in A Journey to the Soul of Guna Yala, are, Brian Dursum, past Director and Curator of the Lowe Art Museum, Dr. Traci Ardren, of the Department of Anthropology, Jessica Figueroa, a student member of the Guna Yala ArtLab project, and the Guna Yala people themselves who help tell the story of, A Journey to the Soul of Guna Yala.

ArtLab @ The Lowe continues to break new ground under the direction of Dr. Jill Deupi, Beaux Arts Director and Chief Curator of the Lowe Art Museum, as well as the work underway at the Stella M. Holmes Art Research Center at the Lowe.  A Journey to the Soul of Guna Yala, was produced by Ms. Holmes’ production company, The Brickellian.  

The 2018 Suncoast Regional EMMY Awards will take place on Saturday, December 1st at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando.  Nominees