Art in the Clouds: ArteSana’s Ceramics, Rooted in Monteverde’s Spirit

Wander with Ocotea Tours & Transfers into Monteverde’s misty mornings, when the cloud forest hums with life and the scent of damp earth drifts through the trees. Here, among moss- and bromeliad-draped branches and the chorus of birds, you might encounter creations that feel as alive as the forest itself. 

In a small workshop near Santa Elena, clay comes alive under skilled hands – cups etched with symbols of transformation, whistles that sing with water, and bowls glazed in the colors of Monteverde’s mountains and rivers. Here, in the heart of the cloud forest, Ana Ovares, founder of ArteSana, creates ceramics that reflect Monteverde’s unique natural surroundings.

Join us to experience Ana’s art firsthand, visiting her studio, witnessing her creativity, or taking part in workshops that connect you to both craft and the forest itself.

Monteverde: A Living Altar

“For me, Monteverde is an altar come alive,” Ana shares. “The cloud forest embraces me every day with its mist, its birds, its sacred silence. Here, I feel the Earth breathe with me. Nature isn’t just observed; it is to be honored and listened to.”

This deep, place-based connection shapes every piece she makes. Growing up in Monteverde, Ana’s life has been intertwined with both art and healing. Over decades, she has honed her craft in ceramics, painting, and intuitive art, while also studying holistic therapies, herbal medicine, and spiritual guidance. In her work, creativity and wellness are inseparable.

Through Ocotea Tours & Transfers, you don’t just visit Monteverde, you’re welcomed into our town’s creative spirit, guided by the very people who call the forest home.

The Ritual of Creation

Ana describes her ceramic process as a ritual of connection:

“I collect clay from Monteverde’s earth and transform it into malleable material, full of memory and medicine. Each piece is worked slowly, by hand or on the wheel, always with intention and inner listening. Drying follows the cycles of the moon, and the kiln’s fire awakens the true essence of the work.”

She incorporates natural pigments and oxides, many sourced locally, to evoke the textures and colors of the forest, rivers, and mountains. The result is a collection of objects that carry the spirit of Monteverde – each cup, whistle, or bowl a small remembrance of your visit to the cloud forest.

From our home to yours, take a piece of Monteverde with you.

Symbols of Nature and Transformation

Nature resides at the heart of Ana’s art: Serpents coil across cups to remind us of transformation, eyes invite introspection, and flowers and roots speak of cycles and rebirth. Shapes of the moon, flowing water, and the strength of the earth emerge in her work. “Each creation becomes a bridge between human spirit and nature’s spirit,” Ana explains. “A reminder that we are part of the same sacred fabric.”

Her water whistles demonstrate this philosophy beautifully: filled with water, they produce a sound reminiscent of birdsong or the flowing streams you’ve fallen in love with here, offering both a playful and meditative experience, while reminding you of your time in Monteverde. “These aren’t just instruments,” Ana says, “they are instruments of the soul – for ritual, meditation, or simply to fill a home with living sound.”

Monteverde’s Creative Community

Ana credits Monteverde itself for the strength of our local creative community.

“The mountain calls sensitive souls,” she says. “The energy of the cloud forest inspires authentic creation: mist dancing, birds singing, seeds germinating. People are drawn here to live with purpose, expressing their spirit through music, painting, ceramics, or storytelling. We recognize each other as a community, sharing gifts and supporting one another, like trees whose roots intertwine invisibly beneath the soil.”

This sense of collaboration and reverence for nature makes Monteverde a uniquely fertile ground for artists – and provides our travelers with a rich tapestry of cultural experiences to explore with Ocotea Tours & Transfers.

Art as Healing

Like so much art, at its core, Ana’s work can speak to more than simple beauty.

“I hope that when someone takes home a piece, they feel they are carrying a guardian of intention and memory,” she says. “That it reminds them to honor Mother Earth, to listen to their own intuition, and to live in connection with life’s sacred cycles. Each creation mirrors the soul, inviting transformation, healing, and awakening.”

For our guests, these pieces are more than souvenirs – they are tangible reflections of Monteverde’s ecosystem, culture, and philosophy, offering a deeper connection to both our land and our people.

Experience ArteSana with Ocotea Tours & Transfers

We invite you to experience Monteverde’s artistic heartbeat through Ana’s work.

Ask our concierge to schedule you a private studio visit or workshop, where you can meet Ana, observe her ritual of creation, and even shape your own piece of clay under her guidance. Because when you value authentic connections and locally rooted experiences, this is an unforgettable way to engage with Monteverde’s culture, community, and conservation values.

Every ArteSana creation tells a story – of forest, intention, and transformation – and if you’re lucky enough to take part, you’ll leave with a living memory of the cloud forest in your hands.

Carry a Piece of the Cloud Forest

Ana reminds us: “We are part of nature, and in it, we find the path back to ourselves.”

Join us, and carry home not just a handcrafted vessel, but a reminder of Monteverde’s living altar – where art, community, and nature meet. Each ceramic piece preserves a moment of mindful creation, a connection to the sacred cycles of the forest, and the values that define Ana’s work – the very same values that guide Ocotea Tours & Transfers in every journey we craft.