Each time I travel to the Dominican Republic I see incredible paintings, sculptures, and murals placed in some of the best places for viewing. This visit, January 2025 was no different. I saw what I thought were “new” pieces as soon as I arrived on church grounds, Mission ILAC. The mission regards art as a most important component of the spiritual message it holds dear. The talented artists who produced the work are part of the culture of the grounds.

The drive between Santiago and Puerta Plata is beautiful and scary. Our driver seemed to speed along in our top heavy van at a pace just under that required to tip over or just crash given the winding and hilly nature of the road we travelled. Each time we reached a hairpin turn going way faster than we should, I envisioned us leaving the road and rolling over and over downhill hundreds of feet until we hit a tree or boulder and ejecting the passengers and baggage, me and mine included, here and there. Luckily, we made it back to the flatlands unscathed. When we arrived in Puerta Plata and motored on to Sosua, we were treated to a series of murals placed strategically along the roadways.

In Sosua we toured the weirdest art museum I’ve ever seen, Castillo Mundo King, Castle of the World King. In 1993, a German, Rolf Schulz, moved to Sosua where he bought land and then designed and built the museum. Until his death in 2018, he lived on one level of the structure. The art within represents multiple religions, including voodoo, celebrates the visitation of other-worldly beings, and represents the clash of cultures. I recommend that you visit. Be prepared to see some odd stuff. I will go again.