Dominican Republic launches artist residency and premier gastronomy festival

The Ministry of Culture and Piñero announced the first edition of an artist‑residence programme at Atelier Yubarta on Cayo Levantado Resort in Samaná. The eight‑to‑twelve‑week residencies will be open to Dominican and long‑term resident artists across disciplines such as painting, sculpture, fashion and jewellery, aiming to link contemporary creation with the island’s natural environment and cultural heritage. Encarna Piñero said tourism should act as a motor for cultural preservation, while Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo highlighted the public‑private partnership as a way to decentralise creative opportunities.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana will host the fourth annual Food & Wine Festival on 9‑10 October, featuring chefs Michael Mina, Hubert Keller, Joe Isidori, Olivier Bur and others. Over 3,000 guests are expected to attend live cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and a “Dinner Under the Stars” experience, with organisers positioning the event as the Caribbean’s premier culinary gathering and a showcase for Dominican ingredients.