LONDON - Mention South America, and most travelers envision the mysterious Amazon, the majestic Andes, the unmatched Galapagos Islands and the magnificent Pacific beaches. What many don't know is you can enjoy these experiences and more, conveniently packaged in fourth-smallest country in South America.
This fall, 16 artists from the USA, Canada, UK and Germany discovered just that as part of the Feel Again Project, led by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador. The project invited international teams of artists to find inspiration in the diverse landscapes of Ecuador's four main climatic regions - the Amazon, the Andes, the Galapagos Islands and the Pacific Coast.
"The amount of different landscapes and microclimates in such as small area really surprised me; the variation is quite staggering," said Team UK artist Conor MacNeill. "There's so much to do across a manageable amount of landmass."
The innovative project is the second stage of the country's All You Need is Ecuador campaign. Led by Ecuador's Ministry of Tourism, the initiative invites travelers to reconnect with themselves and nature.
"Exploring Ecuador and in particular, the Amazon was an amazing opportunity for me" said Team UK Esther Teichmann. "Within my work I tried to capture the calm and beauty of the Amazon. Ecuador has so many varying and multi-faceted landscapes and cultural influences within the one country, that each region opens up a whole new experience. I look forward to returning to this country, which has gotten under my skin and won't leave me."
Conor MacNeil captures the Napo Wildlife Center located in the heart of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Ecuador's Yasuni National Park is rich with extraordinary wildlife and vibrant local culture.
