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Creative Expressions

Traditional and contemporary arts and artisans. 

Arts like song, dance, pottery, body ornamentation and other forms of Creative Expression have always been a way for CHamoru/Chamorro cultural heritage to be expressed, celebrated, and perpetuated. Across the Pacific, a diversity of art forms speak to the beauty of Indigenous cultures and connections to the lands and oceans which shape us, and are also evidence of exchanges with other native Pacific Islanders. Traditional Chamorro  practices, such as weaving, navigation, and jewelry carving from natural resources like clam and turtle shells require artistry, discipline, and skill to execute. These recognized art forms can teach us about how Chamorros perceive the world through the use of natural resources in the environment. Ancient Chamorro pottery and other forms of storytelling can reveal the cultural values and knowledge of Chamorro ancestors. In more contemporary times, Creative Expression has been an important way for Chamorro to perpetuate cultural practices — for example, Chamorro music has been a source of cultural activism and a way to pass down the Chamorro language to future generations. 

e-Publications

CAHA Workshops

Other entries

Interpretative Essay: Guam Women in Art 

Body Adornment 

CAHA Workshops 

Cultural Design with History in Mind 

Biographies

  1. Ben “Sinahi” del Rosario 
  2. Julie “Jill” Quichocho Benavente 
  3. Maria Yatar McDonald 

Masters of Tradition 

Masters of Tradition celebrates cultural practitioners who use their artistry and craftsmanship to perpetuate Guam’s history and unique cultural traditions. 

  1. Clotilde “Ding” Castro Gould
  2. Elena Cruz Benavente
  3. Floren Paulino 
  4. Frank Rabon 
  5. Joaquin F. Lujan 
  6. Julie “Jill” Quichocho Benavente
  7. Leonard Iriarte
  8. Lucia Fernandez Torres
  9. Maria Yatar McDonald 
  10. Robert Taitano 
  11. Segundo Blas 
  12. Vince Reyes 

 Contemporary Artists 

Many artists draw from Guam’s rich traditions to reinterpret and celebrate contemporary Chamorro identity and life in Guam. In this section, you can browse through contemporary artist profiles and get inspired by their unique visions and methods of incorporating Chamorro language, cultural iconography, island landscapes, and cross-cultural exchanges that have come to characterize contemporary island life. 

  1. Adriano Pangelinan 
  2. Ariel Dimalanta
  3. Ben “Sinahi” del Rosario
  4. Evelyn Flores 
  5. Father Marcian Pellet
  6. Filamore Alcon 
  7. Flora Baza Quan 
  8. Genevieve Perez Ploke Snow 
  9. Greg B. Flores 
  10. Herman Crisostomo
  11. James Murray Stewart 
  12. Johnny Sablan 
  13. Jose B. Babauta 
  14. Joseph “JD Crutch” Duenas 
  15. Judy Flores 
  16. Kie Susuico 
  17. Manny Crisostomo 
  18. Mark Dell’Isola 
  19. Melvin Won-Pat Borja 
  20. Moe Cotton 
  21. Monica D. Baza 
  22. Peter Onedera
  23. Richard “Ric” Castro
  24. Ron Castro   
  25. Victor Consaga 
Pages 

People of Pacific Cultures (POP Cultures) 

Music

Chamorro music has served as a powerful medium for language expression and cultural resurgence. Across genres, local music expresses the themes of Chamorro life.

  1. Musicians 
    1. Bautista Brothers 
    2. Bill Muna 
    3. Carlos C. Laguana 
    4. Carlos T. Laguana 
    5. Carmen Romualdez Dela Cruz
    6. Compadres 
    7. Forrest Harris 
    8. Francisco G. Franquez 
    9. Joaquin “Ding” Palomo 
    10. Jose Gumabon, Sr. 
    11. Joseph “JD Crutch” Duenas 
    12. Louie Gombar 
    13. Maria Yatar McDonald 
    14. Norbert Tydingco 
    15. Patrick Palomo 
    16. Patti Lane 
    17. Roberto Fracassini
  2. Belembaotuyan
  3. Clotilde “Ding” Castro Gould 
  4.  Kantan Chamorita 
  5. Audio: Recording Artists 
  6. CHamoru Comic Strip: Juan Malimanga 

Contemporary Music

  1. Band Ensembles 
  2. CHamoru Music 
  3. Compadres 
  4.  Guam Symphony Society 
  5. Jazz
  6. Song of Hope, Song of Faith 
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