The School of Art and Culture successfully concluded its summer camp, SUMMER COMICS

For three weeks, the space was filled with imagination, color, and high energy at the SUMMER COMICS camp—an educational initiative where our young participants became true storytellers.

During this time, students learned drawing techniques geared toward comic creation, exploring themes like anatomy, clothing movement, character design, narrative structure, and timeline development. Each day was a chance to unleash creativity and turn ideas into unique characters.

The result was a vibrant collection of comics full of talent and originality—an outcome shaped by the effort, passion, and guidance of our facilitators.

We thank every family for trusting in this project, and our young artists for pouring their hearts into each page.

See you on the next creative mission!

The Dominican American Cultural Institute celebrated the Independence of the United States with a Farmers Market

On Wednesday, July 3rd, we held a Farmers Market to commemorate the Independence Day of the United States. The event was open to our entire educational community and welcomed staff members, students, teachers, and visitors, all of whom enjoyed a unique day in true farmer style.

During the celebration, the main campus of our institution transformed into a vibrant space filled with music, recreational activities, traditional food, vendor stations, and a lively, positive atmosphere. The stars of the day were various local entrepreneurs who joined the event to offer natural, handmade products with an authentic flair that delighted everyone in attendance.

Beyond the shopping and flavors, this initiative fostered integration among our community members, supported entrepreneurial talent, and honored a date that holds great significance in American culture—a core part of our identity as a binational center.

We’re grateful to everyone who made this experience possible, from the organizers to each participant who brought the event to life.

The Domínico Americano Holds Its 2025 General Ordinary Assembly of Associates

Last Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the Instituto Cultural Dominico Americano held its General Ordinary Assembly of Associates, a space for dialogue and accountability in which the institutional advances of the year 2024 were presented and new members of the Board of Directors were elected for the period 2025–2027.

The activity was presided over by Mrs. Darys Estrella, president of the Board of Directors, who offered opening remarks highlighting the impact of initiatives developed during the past year and reaffirming the commitment to responsible leadership that guides the mission of Dominico Americano.

During the day, Eng. Ramón Sosa, Executive Director, presented the institutional management report; Mr. Frank Abate, Treasurer, shared financial information based on audited statements; and Mrs. Hilda Patricia Polanco, Secretary of Council, conducted the voting process and validation for the new board composition.

The Executive Committee Board that begins its functions with immediate effect is composed of:

Darys Estrella – President
Lucy Threan de Lamarche – Vice President
Hilda Patricia Polanco – Secretary
Francisco J. Abate Franjul – Treasurer
Darío Lama Reyes – Vice Secretary
Robert Valdez – Vice Treasurer

Additionally forming part are:
Francisco J. Abreu Vitetta, Bassa Isaac Castañeda, Enrique A. Fernández Malla, Marielle Garrido, Jeffrey Johnson, Mari Carmen Orizondo, Leonardo Santoni, Arthur Valdez

We thank all associates who participated actively in this assembly, contributing to strengthening our institution’s mission to promote cultural exchange between the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Rafael Chaer shares his experience with students of the Tourism and Hospitality program

Students from the Tourist Marketing course, part of the Tourism and Hospitality program at UNICDA, received a very special visit: Rafael Chaer, renowned Creative Director and Brand Strategist, who shared his extensive experience in branding, visual communication, and strategic development in digital environments with the future professionals.

With over 15 years of professional experience, Rafael has led projects for major national and international brands such as Ágora Mall, Grupo CCN, Club Atlético Licey, BM Cargo, Brugal, Downtown Center, CEPM, Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, among others, establishing himself as a key figure in the field of marketing and creativity in the Dominican Republic.

During his talk, Chaer addressed essential topics for the tourism industry, including: the importance of strategy as the foundation for any project, the design of action plans, the impact of digital media, the development of creative concepts, and the relevance of understanding the target audience through the use of color, promotion, and effective visual communication.

This enriching session allowed students to gain first-hand insight into the tools and approaches used in the development of purpose-driven brands, creating a practical, inspiring learning space aligned with the current demands of the tourism market.

University students join cleanup campaign for World Oceans Day 2025

In commemoration of World Oceans Day, students from our Dominican-American University (UNICDA) participated in a meaningful coastal cleanup campaign, organized in collaboration with the Vida Azul Foundation. The activity, which took place at a local beach, successfully collected over 2,800 pounds of waste, including plastics, foam, and other solid debris that severely impact the health of marine ecosystems.

This year’s theme, “Awaken New Depths: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” invites reflection on the deep connection between the oceans and life on Earth. This initiative not only represented a concrete action in favor of the environment but also served as an opportunity to educate and raise awareness among participants about the urgency of protecting our seas.

The organizers emphasized that while these cleanups are valuable, real change begins by preventing pollution at its source. “It’s not just about cleaning up, but about not polluting in the first place. Caring for our oceans is a shared responsibility that starts with our everyday choices,” they stated.

The university thus reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and to shaping responsible citizens who are aware of the impact their actions have on the planet.