ORANJESTAD — A new art gallery has opened its doors in downtown Oranjestad, adding another cultural attraction to ongoing efforts to bring new activity and economic opportunities to the city center.
Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and the Primary Sector Geoffrey Wever attended the opening of ArtisA, a new art gallery by Tito Bolivar located in the former Aruba Bank building on Caya G.F. “Betico” Croes.
According to Wever, the opening supports the broader vision for Oranjestad revitalization by creating additional reasons for residents and visitors to spend time in the city center.
Increasing the number of people visiting downtown can also generate new opportunities for businesses operating in the area, according to the minister.
Wever highlighted the cooperation of the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry (DEZHI) and Stichting Monumentenfonds Aruba (SMFA), emphasizing the importance of giving existing buildings new and productive purposes.
The broader strategy is to create a more active city center by bringing together commerce, culture, restaurants and hospitality businesses, housing and services.
ArtisA adds an arts and cultural component to several projects already underway in Oranjestad.
According to Wever, every building that receives a new purpose and every business or initiative that opens its doors represents another step toward strengthening Oranjestad as the economic and cultural heart of Aruba.
