Mayor Sybrand Buma made the announcement at the city’s new years reception
Translated by Thomas Ansell
As reported in the Omrop Fryslân, Leeuwarden’s official artist-in-residence is Chilean Maria Jose Jara Veragua, who uses the artistic pseudonym Cote Create.
In December she was one of three candidates to submit their plans to a four-person jury: who decided based on multilingualism and the inclusion of Leeuwarden’s residents in the plans. Leeuwarden was recently named a UNESCO city of Literature, and over the next two years Cote Create will use the city as her canvas, whilst residents play a big role in her designs.
Cote Create was chosen because, despite having only lived in the city for a short time, she and her work have become very recognisable, with huge expressive figures forming colourful patchworks. The jury is also of the opinion that Veragua combines enthusiasm with an ability to bring people together during her period as artist-in-residence.
The artist, who herself is multi-lingual, impressed the jury- who are now exceptionally interested in seeing what she can bring to the city’s cultural scene. Cote Create is a graphic designer by training, who came toe Leeuwarden in 2019. Amongst lots of other things, she has since created the entrance to ‘Welcome to the Village Festival’, a new tote bag for NHL Stenden, and can be seen on shops and restaurants across the city.
Image via the CoteVeragua Behance profile
