By Mariela Sagel
On March 29, Panama’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Panamanian Art Institute (Panarte is the Spanish acronym), eventually renamed as the MAC, an institution that back in the 1980s was housed in the former Masonic shrine of Ancon. If memory fails me not, that property was one of the first acquisitions made in the reverted areas that were little by little returned to Panama following the implementation of the Torrijos-Carter Treaty.
This is not just another anniversary and not just any cause to root for. Some fifty years ago, artistic expressions in Panama were not appraised by a larger public because they were just labeled as elite-oriented stuff cultivated only by snobbish people. A group of citizens, well aware that the arts were fully backed and consumed by large majorities in other countries, decided to establish a center for the promotion of painting and sculpture. One of those people were the late Panamanian painter Alberto Dutary, Pat Picard Ami, Graciela de Eleta, Coqui Calderón, Adolfo Arias and many others.
However, there’s still a long way to go. MAC must be included in the tourist tours that lure so many foreigners, who visit the Canal and the Old Town, and yet have no idea there’s such thing in town as a modern museum that showcases valuable artworks created by Panamanian artists. At the same time, it should get massive support from the community in an effort to make it part of its heritage –just like the Omar Park or the Coastal Beltway are. I’m sure many readers have never been to that museum, an institution that must be supported by the government, especially now that a Cultural Act is being discussed –INAC will seemingly become the Ministry of Culture. MAC should cling to its trailblazing past –as it has done up to now- blessed in excellence and bent on fostering knowledge at all levels.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is in San Blas Street in Ancon. It abuts the Avenida de los Martires and the parliamentary working commissions. The property’s bottom floor was refurbished in line with museum-oriented trends, while the upper floor preserves its rich treasure marked by its gabled roof. There are many challenges on the road ahead, but Panama is worth a museum like this.
Taken from: http://www.laestrella.com.pa/online/impreso/2012/04/01/cincuentenario-del-mac.asp
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