
(L-R) Mónica Montenegro and Carla Zeas put together a display of Ecuadorean art in Patchogue-Medford Library. Photo Credit: Michael Sorrentino
You can get a taste of Ecuador thanks to a collection of art that is on display this month in Patchogue-Medford Library.
Carla Zeas and Mónica Montenegro have put together a collection of Ecuadorean art that is on display for the rest of October in a display case in the lower level of the library.
Both Zeas and Montenegro are from Macas, Ecuador, and work in ceramic and wood art respectively.

Colorful ceramic birds inside of the exhibit, which were decorated by Carla Zeas. Photo Credit: Michael Sorrentino
The case includes decorated boxes and ceramic figures, the latter which include depictions of birds, butterflies, horses and an angel.
The boxes have images of flowers as well as grapes with wine.

Boxes and ceramic horses are among the figures on display in the case. Photo Credit: Michael Sorrentino
For the ceramics, the figures were first painted white in order to make the next coat of colors pop out more, the artists said.
“You can use different techniques, [Zeas] used dry brush,” Montenegro said.
Ceramic art is part of Ecuadorean culture, Montenegro said, and both artists’ work feature food, figures and animals from the country.
Since the exhibit is very close to the children’s department, both Montenegro and Zeas were asked what advice they would give to a child checking out the exhibit and being inspired to jump into art.
“Maybe they use their imagination and mix colors and they can see what results when you mix the colors” Montenegro said.
Zeas said that her child is already jumping into creative art, and gets to paint ceramic figures.
The exhibit will stay in display in a case in the lower level of Patchogue-Medford Library through October 31.
Anyone hoping to reach out to the artists can contact Zeas by email to carlazeas@hotmail.com and Montenegro at momarija477@gmail.com