Craftsmen in La Macarena

Edgar Sandoval has been framing works of art in La Macarena for about 15 years. 

Bogotá's hip La Macarena neighborhood, on the hill above Independence Park and the bullfighting stadium, has filled with art galleries in recent years. But galleries often seem cold and sterile to me. And, usually they're also empty - except for the evenings when they give away food and wine (and even then it seems the visitors come to see each other rather than the art).

So, it often seems to me that art galleries serve to sterilize art and hide it away (which is why street art is so great).

These two La Macarena workshops are colorful, living, active non-deliberate art displays.

A colorful jumble in Sandoval's workshop. 

Edgar Sandoval, who frames artworks in his colorful, jumbled shop, told me about the neighborhood's history, including the artists who've lived here, such as sculptor Edgar Negret. For Sandoval, framing artworks is art itself. Calle 26c No. 4a-11, La Macarena. Tel: 334-5653.

The front wall of Sandoval's shop. 

Sandoval displays a photo of La Macarena from 1946, just before El Bogotazo,

Cesar Giraldo crafts leather works in his shop on Carrera 5.

Cesar Giraldo told makes leather products in his shop on Carrera 5. He says he doesn't know of another leather workshop which has a storefront as well. He makes his own works, as well as fulfilling orders. His works are available here and here. Cesar Giraldo. Carrera 5 No. 26c-18. Tel: 342-8964.

Leather scraps waiting to be made into bags. 

In contrast, here's a minimalist art display in a neighboring 'art' gallery.
Can you see the artwork? Neither can I.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours