Amber with Fossilized Flowers Unearthed in Dominican Republic

Stone with a Garden

A natural beauty has been unearthed in El Valle, Hato Mayor -- A 4oz ambar stone with fossilized flowers, with an estimated value of RD$ 1.2 millon (about U.S. $28,000). The precious stone was extracted from one of 12 mines in the community of El Cabao.

The "Stone with a Garden," as it is now known, is the most talked about news in the agricultural district of El Valle, according to Diario Libre, where many are said to have deviated from their usual employment, to digging holes in search of their own precious find.

El Valle is considered the capital of Amber in the Caribbean. The rain forests in this area of the national park Los Haïtises, are mined in search of this gemstone, which is a product of fossilized tree resin.

Today, the exploitation of amber has generated an economic boom in of El Valle, which until recently based most of its economy on agriculture and livestock.

But the extraction process has been met with much criticism by locals and environmentalist that oppose the indiscriminate digging of holes and tree cutting.

Elsa Núñez: Abstract and Figurative Artist from the Dominican Republic

Elsa Núñez (born 1943) is a Dominican abstract and figurative artist born in the city of Santo Domingo. She studied at the Colegio María Auxiliadora and the Instituto de señoritas Salomé Ureña, and the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, where he graduated with a degree in Philosophy. She studied art at the National School of Fine Arts , graduating in 1962. In 1970, she moved overseas to Madrid, Spain, where she completed a post-graduate at the Royal Academy of San Fernando in Madrid.

Núñez taught painting and drawing at the National School of Fine Arts, Colegio Dominicano de la Salle, la Universidad APEC. Along with her husband, actor and painter, Angel Haché, she directed the Children's Creativity Workshops at the Casa de Teatro, Museo de Arte Moderno y Museo de las Casas Reales. In 1979 he was awarded a scholarship with her husband by UNESCO to visit Children's Creativity Workshops throughout Spain and France, to study the methods of cultural activities that apply in those countries.

Tribute to the Mirabal Sisters, Mural 2008

Her work has been described as "committed beyond the reflection on the “fragility” of the human condition as well as the spiritual, political, ideological and cultural issues that have touched the Dominican society in the last five decades."

In 2012, The Ministry of Culture and the Museum of Modern Art in Santo Domingo, honored Elsa Núñez with the painting exhibition titled “Elsa Nuñez 1962 Retrospective 2012”, which was formed by 130 paintings spanning the her great career and contribution to the world of art.

María Elena Ditrén, Director Museum of Modern Art, described Elsa Nuñez's work as a reflection of the turbulent '60s, which were characterized by fear, anxiety and terror of the Trujillo dictatorship and the Revolution of April 1965, which marked and influenced many artists of the generation.

Elsa Núñez's work has been exhibited around the world. Including France, Italy, Britain, the United States and Cuba, among others. She has won multiple awards and accolades for her contributions to the national arts, including the Professional Excellence Award by President Leonel Fernandez.

Jorge Pineda artist from Barahona

Jorge Pineda was born on September 24, 1961, in Barahona province, located in the south-west region of the Dominican Republic. Pineda passed away at 1:40 a.m. on February 16, 2023.

A multidisciplinary artist, his areas of work include: painting, sculpture, installation, sketch and other mediums. "Pineda is also recognized for his activism through his artwork, expressing an interest in the social, humanist–which has generated a multitude of works that denounce child abuse, both physical and psychological, environmentalism, gender equality and immigration issues."

Celeste Woss y Gil — Dominican Artist

Celeste Woss y Gil was born May 5, 1891 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and died in 1985. She was an artist, social activist and educator who was part of the women's suffrage movement that won the right to vote for women in the Trujillo era. She is considered the first woman of Dominican heritage to dedicated herself as a professional artist.

Celeste Woss y Gil - Leer Vivir

Raúl Morilla, La Vega (1972)

Raul Morilla was born in 1972, in La Vega, Dominican Republic. At the age of eleven, he enrolled at the Escuela de Bellas Artes Francisco Soñé, in La Vega.

While at the School of Fine Arts, he is awarded several student awards, and receives his Professor of Drawing certification in 1988. That same year he joined the Faculty of Architecture of the Technical University of Santiago, and in 1993 receives the title of Architect. In 1996, Morilla obtained the prize for sculpture Prats-Ventos, the cultural center of Spain.

Under the guidance of the architect Virgilio Veras, Morilla participates joins workshops in which he draws on the principles of composition and artistic conceptualization. He broadens his training through courses and workshops of anatomical drawing of the human body at the Altos de Chavon School of Design and the Terracotta workshop in Santiago de Cuba.

Learn more about Raúl Morilla, and see some of his work at his website www.raulmorilla.com.

María Montez Returns To The Big Screen

Celines Toribio as Maria Montez

"The Queen of Technicolor" and the first Hollywood star of Dominican heritage, María Montez, will make her return to the big screen, in María Montez: The Movie, a film by the Spanish director, Vicente Peñarroch.

The roles of Maria Montez will be played by Dominican actresses Celines Toribio (adult), and Paula Sanchez Ferry in the role of a young María Montez.

Santa Bárbara de Samaná - Recorriendo con Salvador

Link to video: http://youtu.be/XIU0cfeWTcQ

Guillo Pérez: Dominican Artist

Guillermo Esteban Pérez Chacón, born March 3, 1926, in Moca, Dominican Republic, and died on March 9, 2014 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

A painter known for his many styles and colorful themes. He first studied music and religion at the Catholic Seminary of Santo Cerro in La Vega.

Pérez studied painting under the guidance of another renowned Dominican artist, Yoryi Morel, at the School of Fine Arts of Santiago, graduating in 1950 and appointed as a professor in 1952.

In 1960, he was a founder and professor at the National School of Fine Arts of La Vega. In 1970, Pérez became the director and professor at the National School of Fine Arts in Santo Domingo.

Carretas y bueyes by Guillo Pérez - 1976

Since the 1950s, Guillo Pérez has participated in many national and international competitions, receiving many awards and acknowledgements throughout his lifetime.

His exhibitions have crossed the oceans to many countries around the world, such as; Panamá, Honduras, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brasil, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Puerto Rico, Cuba, México, United States (New York, Miami, Washington, Boston), Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Israel.

In 1986, he founded the Guillo Pérez Art School in Santo Domingo, with a goal to encourage art and Dominican culture, as well as to promote new artists.

The legacy of Guillo Pérez continues through the Guillo Pérez Art School, which has long been directed by Willy Perez, son of Guillo Pérez, and a well known and respected artist as well.

The family legacy continues with artist Gabrielle Pérez, daughter of Willy Pérez.

14 Dominican DJs You Should Know

Here's a list of the top DJs from Dominican Republic, or of dominican heritage. Some, like Roger Sanchez, Prostyle and DJ Lobo, are world renowned and have an incredible following. Others are up-and-coming and still carving their path - but all have the talent to ignite your night.

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DJ Alb3rt

Born in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: Electro House, Progressive House.

Follow @itsAlb3rt
Website: soundcloud.com/itsalb3rt

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DJ Aneudy

Aneudy Reynoso, born in Salcedo, Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @DjAneudy
Official website: djaneudyny.com

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DJ Danny S.

Born in New York, NY.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @DjDannyS
Official website: djdannys.com

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DJ Felipe Inoa

Born in Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: Electronic Dance, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Facebook Page: facebook.com/InoaResolutions

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DJ Flipstar

Born in ...
Mix Styles: Hip Hop, House.

Follow @DJFLIPSTAR
Instagram: instagram.com/djflipstar

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DJ Lobo

DJ Lobo, born and raised in Queens, New York.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @djlobo
Official website: djlobo.com

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DJ Brenda M.

Brenda Marmolejos, born in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: Electronica, House, Tech House.

Follow @DjBrendaM
Website: soundcloud.com/br3nda_m

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DJ Louie Minaya

Born in Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @DjLouieMinaya
Website: Soundcloud

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DJ Franko Ovalles

Franko Ovalles, born in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: House, Progressive House

Follow @frankoovalles
Facebook Page: facebook.com/FrankoOvallesOfficial

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DJ Prostyle

Alexander Ricardo Santelises, born in Queens, New York.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @DJPROSTYLE
Official website: proatthis.com

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DJ Anthony Rey

Anthony Rey, born in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @DjAnthonyRey
Official Website: anthonyrey.com

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DJ Roger Sanchez

Roger Sanchez, born in Queens, New York.
Mix Styles: House, electronic dance, tribal house

Follow @djrogersanchez
Official Website: rogersanchez.com

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DJ Stan da Man

Stanley Melendez, Brooklyn, New York.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @DjStanDaManNYC
Website: Soundcloud

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DJ Xclusivo

Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Mix Styles: Latin, Hip Hop, House, Freestyle, etc...

Follow @DJXCLUSIVONYC
Official website: djxclusivo.com

Constanza: The Next Great Tourism Destination

When we think tourism in the Dominican Republic, most of the talk is usually about Punta Cana, Altos de Chavón, Samana, La Romana and the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo.

Rarely do we hear about Constanza -- which has always attracted a good number of tourist, but has never really been mentioned alongside or as a challenge to the top spots.

But that may change soon, now that Constanza will be pushing itself as an "Ecotourism Destination."

A Garden for Juan Pablo Duarte Square in New York City

A new temporary community garden designed by Spanish artist Juanli Carrion, will sprout in the Juan Pablo Duarte Square this May (2014) -- the statue of Juan Pablo Duarte was donated by the Consulate of the Dominican Republic -- dedicated in the square on the 165th anniversary of Duarte’s birth, January 26, 1978 .

Called the Outer Seed Shadow, the project will be a 2,000-square-foot garden (shaped like the island of Manhattan), which will feature plants chosen by immigrants from different parts of the city.

OSS#01 materializes the union between plant and human migration tendencies and theories, using different plant species as representatives of social groups. OSS#01 is a community garden informed by geography, a document of the migrant experience through video interviews and self-identified plants, a study of social interaction and the politics of immigration illustrated by plants, and an aesthetic exercise exploring the appropriation of the scientific for sociological study.

Artist rendition of the Outer Seed Shadow project

The best part of the Outer Seed Shadow project - both for the community and the park itself:

OSS#01 will also activate Duarte Square, which is currently an underutilized public park. Expecting over 100,000 visitors, OSS#01 will draw residents living across Manhattan and from all over NYC to what is both a community garden and educational center, designed to transform the current barren plaza into an open green space and hub for community discussion and art making.

Visit outerseedshadow.org for more information or to support the project with a donation.

A $5 to $10 donation gets you "Your name imprinted on a sign at OSS#01 during the exhibition."

Abel Martinez Wants To Make Education More Affordable

Abel Martinez, President of the Dominican House of Representatives

Santo Domingo, RD -- Abel Martinez, president of the House of Representatives, wants to address the high cost of text books and schools supplies in the Dominican Republic.

The Fight For Loma Miranda In Dominican Republic

Loma Miranda - Image / La Vega, RD

This week "dozens" of Dominicans from different environmental organizations and social movements, took part in a four day walk from Loma Miranda in Bonao, to the nacional palace in Santo Domingo (about 60 miles away).

The pilgrimage was performed to deliver to President Danilo Medina a letter expressing a request against the exploitation of Loma Miranda by the mining company Falcondo, a subsidiary of Xstrata Plc, an Anglo-Swiss multinational mining company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

Google Doodle Celebrates Dominican Independence Day

Take a look at the Google Doodle from February 27, 2014.

Rice, beans, chicken and what looks like a tall glass with Brugal on the rocks - or maybe it's mavi.

Secretary of State John Kerry wishes Dominican Republic a Happy Independence Day

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sent a message congratulating the Dominican Republic on it 170 years of independence.

Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following congratulatory message:

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the Government and people of the Dominican Republic on the 170th anniversary of your independence.

The United States is proud of its thriving Dominican-American community. Each and every day, some 1.5 million Dominican-Americans contribute to our nation’s economic vitality and culture while maintaining a deep connection with their Dominican roots.

In the spirit of friendship and mutual respect, the people of the United States are working with the people of the Dominican Republic on citizen security, economic opportunity, clean energy development, and respect for human rights.

As you gather in celebration, I wish you a happy Independence Day.

20 Dominican Actresses You Should Know

Julissa Bermudez

Julissa Bermudez, born September 28, 1983 in the Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Nashla Bogaert

Nashla Bogaert, born on May 11, 1986 in San Francisco De Macoris, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Aimee Carrero

Aimee Carrero, born on July 15, 1988 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Sonalii Castillo

Sonalii Castillo, born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Alexandra Cheron

Alexandra Beauvoir Cheron Tavarez, born January 16, 1983 in San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Akari Endo

Akari Endo Sepúlveda, born November 8, 1989 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Luz Garcia

Luz Margarita Cecilia García Guzmán, born April 15, 1977 in Moca, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Claudette Lali

Claudette Eloiza Encarnacion Jaquez, born August 1, 1975 in New York, New York, U.S.
Internet Movie Database

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Dulcita Lieggi

Dulcita Lynn Lieggi Francisco, born May 19, 1989 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Judy Marte

Judy Marte, born on April 12, 1983 in New York, NY, U.S.
Internet Movie Database

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Denny Mendez

Denny Andreina Méndez de la Rosa, born on July 20, 1978 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Mirtha Michelle

Mirtha Michelle Castro Marmol, born January 17, 1984 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Maria Montez

María Antonia García Vidal de Santo Silas, born June 6, 1912 in Barahona, Dominican Republic. Died September 7, 1951 (aged 39) in Suresnes, France.
Internet Movie Database

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Omahyra Mota

Omahyra Mota García, born November 30, 1984 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Ilka Payan

Ilka Tanya Payan, January 7, 1943 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Died April 6, 1996 (aged 53), in New York, NY, U.S.
Internet Movie Database

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Dania Ramirez

Dania Jissel Ramirez, born November 8, 1979 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Michelle Rodriguez

Mayte Michelle Rodriguez born July 12, 1978 in San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
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Zoe Saldana

Zoe Yadira Saldaña Nazario, born on June 19, 1978 in Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.
Internet Movie Database

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Celines Toribio

Celines Toribio, born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database

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Amelia Vega

Amelia Victoria Vega Polanco, born November 7, 1984 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Internet Movie Database