El Dorado: Ancient Columbia Reimagined in Contemporary Glass
Posted by: Rachel Soler
January 21, 2026
Delray Beach-based artist Claudia Henao brings pre-Columbian symbols and heritage to life through solo exhibition at Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
LAKE WORTH BEACH, FL —The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is pleased to announce its upcoming solo exhibition, El Dorado, featuring works by Delray Beach-based artist and Colombia native Claudia Henao.
Henao’s solo show honors pre-Columbian cultures through contemporary glass. Using techniques like casting, she reinterprets symbolic ancestral forms. Her work bridges ancient traditions with modern craft, celebrating identity, heritage, and the cultural dialogue between past and present.
Since childhood, Henao has felt a deep admiration for pre-Columbian art and a desire to recreate its forms as a tribute to the Indigenous communities of Colombia. “I’m not interested in perfection,” said Henao. “What moves me is the beauty found in imperfection and the sense of wonder it can evoke. The small irregularities of my handmade process are not flaws; they’re part of my story, adding depth and meaning to each piece.”
“Claudia Henao’s solo exhibition is a unique opportunity to view work by an artist pursuing a passion project and, in doing so, sharing her cultural history with the viewer,” said Jessican Ransom, Director of Artist Services at the Cultural Council.
Henao’s work has been featured in exhibitions around the world, including the United Kingdom, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Bulgaria. “Her work is a fine example of the diversity of media and the high-quality artwork produced here in Palm Beach County,” said Dave Lawrence, President and CEO of the Cultural Council. “It’s an honor to display her work now in Palm Beach County at the Cultural Council.”
The solo exhibition, El Dorado, is free and open to the public. It runs from Friday, February 6 through Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Cultural Council’s headquarters located in downtown Lake Worth Beach. (Location & Public Hours).
The opening reception of El Dorado will be hosted in conjunction with the opening reception of Being Well, Well Being on Thursday, February 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Council’s headquarters in downtown Lake Worth Beach. Viewers are invited to view both exhibitions in person where they will also have the opportunity to meet Claudio Henao. For more information or to RSVP to the receptions, please visit palmbeachculture.com/exhibitions.
The Council’s 2025-2026 season of exhibitions is generously sponsored by the Tourist Development Council, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the Florida Division of Arts & Culture, and Florida Weekly.
If You Go (Calendar Item)
Claudia Henao: El Dorado
February 6 – March 21, 2026
Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
(601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Fla. 33460)
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About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. Headquartered in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach, the Council presents exciting year-round exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County. The Council also features spectacular work by Palm Beach County-based professional artisans in its Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store and offers complimentary resources for visitors in its Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center. The Council is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and a comprehensive calendar of cultural events in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.
Media Contact:
Rachel Soler
561.472.3340 (office) 812.550.4353 (cell)
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