Artists

Carlos Martínez Rivera – Painter.
Martínez Rivera is a renowned nature artist. His paintings have been exhibited at the National Library of Bogotá and in important art galleries throughout Colombia. He was born in Tunja in 1902.

Carlos Lopez Ruiz – Painter and caricaturist.
The pictorial style of Lopez Ortiz is figurative expressionism. Besides being a painter, he was an excellent caricaturist. Most of his works are hung in private galleries. He was born in Chiquinquirá in 1918.

Pedro Moreno Monroy – Painter.
The renowned artist was chosen to represent Colombia in the First Exhibition of Latin- American art in Paris in 1962. He also participated in group exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris.
Some of his paintings are found in art galleries in New York and Paris. He was born in Miraflores in 1936.

Helena Merchán Fúquene – Sculptress .
This great artist has exhibited her works in several galleries in Colombia, Italy and
Spain. She works on all techniques of sculpture but the most famous are her wooden folk art sculptures. She was born in Duitama.

Jaime López Correa – Painter, ceramist and sculptor.
Recognized muralist and sculptor, he has received numerous prizes. His paintings have been shown in several exhibition halls.
He is famous for his mural paintings such as the Andes University murals in Bogotá and the University of the Tolima murals in Ibagué. He was born in Chiquinquirá.

Musicians, Composers and Singers




Emilio Murillo (1880-1952) – Composer, pianist and 'tiple' player.
A great musician and promoter of the Colombian folkloric music,
Murillo was decorated with the Cross of Boyacá in 1935 and received numerous other awards.
His best-known compositions are perhaps El Trapiche, Gualanday, El guatecano Noches Bogotanas , and Rumichaca.
The musician founded the "Murillo Academy" where free music lessons were offered. Some historians locate his place of birth in Guateque. Some others say he was born in Bogota.

Orlando "Cholo" Valderrama – Composer and singer.
He is one of the best interpreters and composers of llanera music. He received the " "Florentino de Oro Honoris Causa Prize In Venezuela. Valderrama was born in Sogamoso in 1951.

Jorge Veloza – Composer and singer.
Veloza is a great promoter of Boyacá folk music. He is the director of Los Carrangueros de Ráquira, a well-known group in Colombia. Veloza was born in Ráquira in 1953.

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Sportsmen

Mauricio Soler – Cyclist.
Champion on the 2007 Tour of Bordeaux France.
Cycling champion on the 2007 Tour of France In his first participation at the most prestigious international cycling competition, the young cyclist was the winner of the most difficult stage of the tour. He was born in Ramiriquí in 1983.