We are delighted to share that renowned Costa Rican visual artist Florencia Urbina Crespo, a member of the seminal contemporary art group Bocaracá, former Director of the Museum of Costa Rican Art, and Essential Costa Rica brand ambassador, has chosen to donate to OTS the rights to a family property at Punta Agujas, on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, just over an hour from San José.
Florencia discovered the beauty of the location at age 11 when, attracted by a wall of tall trees and lush vegetation that practically reached the high tide line, her late father Oscar Urbina Salazar, a graduate of CATIE and an avid boatsman, dropped anchor in the shallow waters off Punta Agujas beach. She sensed that the place was special from that moment and spent her childhood summers camping on the site, making friends with local kids, and learning about nature.
Florencia and her husband Stephen acquired the property from don Oscar in the early 1990s and devoted over 30 years to conserving it and protecting its many species. It has been a transformative experience for her. Reflecting on how Punta Agujas connects with her growth as an artist, Florencia was unequivocal, “With my nomadic studio set up at Punta Agujas, I have been inspired by its colors, forms, and rhythm. I have enriched my creative practice and become more connected as a visual artist. The flora and fauna expanded my creativity, making it possible for me to develop more innovative projects.”
Recently, Florencia started looking into how she might best conserve the property and put it to work for the future. In OTS, she believes she has found the right team to do so. Speaking ahead of Garabito Municipal Council approval, Florencia shared hope that OTS can convert Punta Agujas into a space to create environmental awareness, promote collaboration, and involve the community in conservation in a significant way. While Florencia’s efforts have focused on protecting the land, it offers great potential as a site for marine research, perhaps even a “blue station”.
In expressing appreciation for the donation, Dr. Elizabeth Braker, OTS President and CEO, stated: “Ms. Urbina has OTS’ profound respect and gratitude for her recognition of the organization as the future steward of this beautiful location within the Maritime Terrestrial Zone. The site has both historical and conservation significance to Costa Rica and to the Urbina family. This wonderful gift sets the stage for us to consider how OTS research, education, and capacity building might have impact on resilience in tropical coastal and marine ecosystems.”
Dr. Braker also acknowledged the role of Florencia’s close friend Deirdre Hyde, a fellow artist, and former member of the OTS Board of Visitors, in making the donation possible.
