Creative Expression

Traditional and contemporary arts and artisans.

Arts like song, dance, pottery, body ornamentation and other forms of Creative Expression have always been a way for CHamoru/Chamorro cultural heritage to be expressed, celebrated, and perpetuated. Across the Pacific, a diversity of art forms speak to the beauty of Indigenous cultures and connections to the lands and oceans which shape us, and are also evidence of exchanges with other native Pacific Islanders. Traditional Chamorro  practices, such as weaving, navigation, and jewelry carving from natural resources like clam and turtle shells require artistry, discipline, and skill to execute. These recognized art forms can teach us about how Chamorros perceive the world through the use of natural resources in the environment. Ancient Chamorro pottery and other forms of storytelling can reveal the cultural values and knowledge of Chamorro ancestors. In more contemporary times, Creative Expression has been an important way for Chamorro to perpetuate cultural practices — for example, Chamorro music has been a source of cultural activism and a way to pass down the Chamorro language to future generations. 

e-Publications

Other entries

Interpretative Essay: Guam Women in Art 

Body Adornment

Entries

Biographies

  1. Ben “Sinahi” del Rosario
  2. Julie “Jill” Quichocho Benavente
  3. Maria Yatar McDonald

Masters of Tradition

Masters of Tradition celebrates cultural practitioners who use their artistry and craftsmanship to perpetuate Guam’s history and unique cultural traditions. 

Contemporary Artists

Many artists draw from Guam’s rich traditions to reinterpret and celebrate contemporary Chamorro identity and life in Guam. In this section, you can browse through contemporary artist profiles and get inspired by their unique visions and methods of incorporating Chamorro language, cultural iconography, island landscapes, and cross-cultural exchanges that have come to characterize contemporary island life. 

Music

Chamorro music has served as a powerful medium for language expression and cultural resurgence. Across genres, local music expresses the themes of Chamorro life.

Contemporary Music

  1. Band Ensembles
  2. CHamoru Music
  3. Compadres
  4. Guam Symphony Society
  5. Jazz
  6. Song of Hope, Song of Faith