At the heart of the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts, one of the most emblematic institutions of artistic education in Cuba, an initiative was conceived that left a mark among its students. Under the title “Last chapter of a nice drama”, This program of talks and meetings between artists, curators, teachers and cultural managers, aimed to open new learning paths beyond the classroom. The proposal, conceived and led by artist, curator and professor Evelynn Alvarez, was supported by the Fondo de Arte Joven (FAJ), a cultural platform that, since its creation in 2023, has promoted projects that strengthen the development of emerging art on the island.

The project was born out of the desire to connect mid-level professional students with active agents of the Cuban contemporary art circuit. Through talks, studio visits and open conversations, “Last chapter of a nice drama” sought to complement the curricula with direct, generational and human experiences.

Despite my crises with pedagogy, I am always grateful for how much I have learned from the students,» explains Evelynn Alvarez. From that awareness of joint improvement, I conceived and articulated this proposal."

Alvarez, who has been a member of San Alejandro's faculty since 2015, has been involved in teaching and accompanying young creators for years. On this occasion, she saw FAJ as a natural ally: “I knew about FAJ's work through its grantees. I have seen its impact on the careers of the authors I follow. So it wasn't hard to see the partnership and I applied for one of its opportunities.

The first part of the program took place during the summer term of 2024 and coincided with the students“ diploma work stages, a time that is usually a time of rest or concentration on personal projects. However, the response was enthusiastic. ”A group of students decided to approach outside the classroom, the implications of pursuing a career as a visual artist in Cuba. In the midst of idleness, keeping a teenager motivated with these topics surpassed all my goals," Alvarez confesses.

For the students, the experience was transformative. Suamy Hernández, one of the participants, describes the workshop as “a deep immersion in the art world that surpassed all my expectations”. The young woman emphasizes that visiting the studios of different artist collectives and talking with curators “opened her eyes to a universe of possibilities”.

“I understood that art is not a solitary path. Collaboration and exchange are fundamental to growth. I learned from the generosity of artists who shared their failures and successes, and the importance of persistence and authenticity,” he adds.

The value of generational exchange

FAJ's strategic objectives include financing and supporting projects, offering tools and networks that strengthen the country's cultural fabric. In Alvarez's words, “exchanges between generations are essential, but increasingly difficult to achieve in our context. Heartfelt thanks to the Fondo de Arte Joven, which dedicates resources - not only financial - to consolidate these spaces.”

For established artists such as Gabriela Reyna, also a teacher at San Alejandro and a collaborator in the project, this dynamic was equally enriching. “Sharing my studio with the students was special: they were able to see the more personal side of the artist. I recognize myself in them, as I did when I was a student.” Reyna emphasizes that the exchange was two-way: “They discover the universe of professional art, and I learn from their fresh looks. It's a gift to be able to share and nurture each other.”

“The Young Art Fund has become an invaluable reference. It integrates diverse voices and shows that art grows when we share knowledge. I wish there were more spaces like this in Cuba,” he said.

Train, inspire, connect

To culminate an experience such as “Last chapter of a nice drama”, and conditioned by talks and exchanges with young visual artists, Evelynn Alvarez structured from her vision as a teacher the group show “El Motivo”, exhibited at the Acacia Gallery in Havana.

Eight artists who participated in exchanges with students, including Suamy Hernández, made up the roster of this exhibition, thus closing a cycle that generated opportunities for self-improvement, connections and inspiration.

Alvarez uses the term «happy ending» to refer to the sample, in which statement can also be read as «a curatorial exercise that operates with the identification of leitmotivsEach piece exposes core recurrences of the author throughout his actions. Likewise, there is another constant that directs the selection of works: each piece exposes the author's considerations on the art phenomenon». In this way, the workshop closed a cycle and generated opportunities for students to improve themselves.

For her, leading this process has meant more than just a professional achievement: “I took on the workshop. Last chapter of a beautiful drama as a closure. A ‘closure’ in the popular sense that expresses the great potential of something; but also a closing of a stage, both for those students who were then finishing their Professional Middle Level, as well as in my practice today expanded to entrepreneurship. Hence the conclusive aura that led me to revisit works and ended up being a kind of necessary filter to continue flowing”.

The project “Last chapter of a nice drama” is an example of the impact that collaboration between an initiative like FAJ and art education can have. Convinced that art, like education, is built in community, the platform seeks to weave networks, strengthen communities and give voice to a new generation of Cuban artists who dream of transforming their environment through creation.