Thinking outside the box

About The Speaker

Katya De Luisa

Katya De Luisa is an artist, writer and personal creativity coach. Since 1990 her programs and workshops have centered on personal growth through creative process.

Considered to be one of Costa Rica’s modern pioneers, her accomplishments throughout the evolution of this country is a testament to her ability to “Think outside of the box”.

Katya arrived in 1980 with two small children and $900. After purchasing inexpensive horses and saddles she launched the first eco-tour on horseback through the jungles of Manuel Antonio. Later her company, Imagin Publicidad SA, produced the only tourist maps featuring water color illustrations of the country’s flora and fauna. This led to a contract with the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo, (ICT) to design the initial illustrations for the country’s budding international eco-tourism campaign.

Kukula, her Limon street children project was funded by the Canadian embassy and later Unicef and the children’s safe house was inaugurated by Gloria Calderon, the first lady. And when she moved to San Jose to professionally exhibit her own art she also conducted sidewalk art activities in the Plaza de la Cultura for the city’s street children. Eventually the children’s art was exhibited in galleries, museums and embassies and featured in major newspapers and television programs.

While living in an art colony in Sarasota, Florida several years, she developed a picture communication program for seniors with dementia and was contracted by the Alzheimer’s Association to conduct caregiver training. After returning to Costa Rica she continued caregiver training and her business, “Senior Transition Service” assisted aging expats locate vital resources.

Katya’s first book “Journey through the Infinite Mind” focuses on the science and spirituality of dementia. She is now writing another book on the evolution of the human spirit. She presently resides at the Bill & Julia White Art Colony in Cuidad Colon.