courtesy of: The Morning News
written by: Rosalie Klein
Claudia Ruiz Vasquez, artist and founder of Arte Sano Studios, welcomed media and artists to the old Protestant Church on Thursday afternoon to explain the works she has on display there as part of the AIS/Salon art/fashion/cultural event taking place on the island through Sunday.
Claudia has proposed a viable and profitable solution to the infestation of the Boa Constrictor on Aruba, an invasive species that is proliferating unchecked, as they have no natural predators on the island to control their numbers. Scientists who have studied the situation describe them as a serious threat; Greg Peterson, Director of the Aruba Bird Conservation Foundation recited frightening statistics. Aruba’s population of approximately 2000 boas at present consumes 52,000 indigenous species annually, which is divided in thirds by birds, mammals and reptiles. “This means over 17,000 birds are being eaten by the boas, and we know for certain they are seriously harming 2 species unique to Aruba, the prikichi and shoco, as we have actually opened up some boas and found several in their digestive tracts.”
Arte Sano Design Studio has on display for the AIS/Salon several hand-crafted clutches made from boa skins, which are quite attractive. Claudia has set up a factory for production of boa skin accessories, which she hopes to see become an important iconic industry for Aruba. Aside from becoming a lucrative endeavor, the project is also based on social values, training young men who are now serving sentences at Aruba’s prison and providing them with skills and employment when they have served their time.
“The boa products of Arte Sano Studio will be 100% handmade on Aruba,” explained Claudia. The skins can also be colored and the bags are produced in the often brilliant hues of the tropical birds the boas devour, to further remind purchasers of the service being done to the environment by controlling this invasive species.
Pieter Barendsen, Head of the Department of Exotic Animal Control, stated that the department will issue permits for the products made from boa skins to be exported from Aruba.
“Boas are not an endangered species, such as the Aruban Cascabal, to which the boas are a serious threat. We feel this is a viable and laudable solution to the problem.”
Diego Martes, Head of the Aruba Boa Task Force, has administrated over a number of boa hunts this past year, and all reptiles are taken alive and humanely euthanized, then studied for their feeding habits. He stated the task force will work with Arte Sano and welcomes volunteers interested in participating in the hunts. “Most importantly, the populace must be educated to the difference between those snakes we wish to save and those we need to eliminate,” he acknowledged. The task force is also in the process of providing a hotline for when people spot boas on the roads or near their residence.
Mr. Martes and Peterson are very enthusiastic about the Arte Sano project and also applaud Claudia on this practical solution to what has become a serious threat to the environment. Another example on display was a chair upholstered with boa skin, and Claudia said they hope to produce boots, jackets and any number of fashionable items from this durable, high quality material.
