By Amelia Cuesta
Editorial Staff El Inmobiliario
Leo Batista Concepción was born in Bonao, Monseñor Nouel Province. When he was very young, his family moved to Santo Domingo where he completed his high school studies. He studied law at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), and later specialized in the areas of Land Law, Project Evaluation and Implementation, Leadership, and Cultural Management.
Eager to learn, grow and contribute, he began working at an early age as a public servant in various government institutions; he started his career in the Ministry of Agriculture, then in the Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD), the Office of the First Lady and Vice Presidency of the Republic and finally, until 2020, in the Legal Consulting Office of the Executive Branch, Presidency of the Republic, where his permanence stood out for having worked for almost 30 years.
Currently, she works for the international real estate company KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY, DOMINICANA, as part of the excellent team of Associate Agents at KW PREMIUM, Market Center, where she is professionally dedicated to real estate consulting while also pursuing cultural management and her passion for art. She presides over the Caribbean Foundation for Development, Inc. (FUNCADE), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the promotion of art and culture in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries, and which, in response to COVID-19, has also focused on providing assistance to low-income and vulnerable elderly people.
More than a lawyer or a real estate agent, he's passionate about art. From a young age, he loved strolling through the galleries of the time and visiting painting exhibitions. He immersed himself so deeply in the magical world of art and culture that today, he not only champions local talent but also creates projects and contributes ideas to rekindle the passion and love for what best represents us: art, culture, and joy.
El Inmobiliario had a conversation with Mr. Batista about his concern regarding Dominican art and culture today and how he believes it can be fostered again in Dominican society.
How long have you been in the real estate sector and how did you get there?
Being closely linked to the legal profession, we have always been involved in real estate. However, it wasn't until mid-2021, due to time constraints and personal motivation, that I embarked on this interesting and challenging activity in the real estate business, with the firm purpose of becoming, in the medium term, God willing, an experienced and successful real estate agent, both locally and internationally.
Tell us about your interest in Art and Culture; how did it come about?
My interest in art and culture has been constant. During my childhood and pre-adolescence, I always asked my parents in my hometown of Bonao if I could learn to play the piano; however, it was never possible. On the contrary, they enrolled me in a karate school, and obviously, I only lasted a few months. So, I became neither a pianist nor a karateka—things happen, and I don't blame them.
Later, upon arriving in Santo Domingo, I began attending art exhibitions at the galleries that existed in the 1980s, which at that time were located in the Colonial Zone, Gazcue, and the University Zone. The ones I remember well are: Nader, Arawak, Nouveau, Daniels, etc. Without a doubt, that's where my awakening and passion for art began.
Later in the 90s, with more maturity, I made regular visits to the Plaza de La Cultura, enjoyed the exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art, the Symphony concerts at the National Theater, the film series at the National Cinematheque, the Llumiere Film Forum, the theater and music gatherings at Casa de Teatro, in short, even the first book fairs were enriching in turning me into an acceptable cultural consumer.
What role does Art and Culture play in the Real Estate sector?
Right now, in my opinion, the role that Art and Culture plays for Real Estate project developers in the country is practically invisible, with the exception of a recent project that is being built in the Malecón area of Santo Domingo with the name precisely MURALES.
If you had to say what worries you most about Dominican art and culture today, what would your impression be?
One of my concerns is that, according to a recent study by our Central Bank, which released the Dominican Republic's Cultural Satellite Account (CSC-RD), the cultural sector and creative industries make a significant contribution to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and therefore to the national economy, including, of course, the Visual Arts sector. However, to date, no serious public policies have been implemented, nor have concrete actions been taken by the institutions responsible for fostering and promoting our art and culture to ensure a more promising and encouraging future for the economic, social, and emotional well-being of our visual artists and other sectors of Dominican cultural activity.
However, the aforementioned Cultural Patronage Law was also approved years ago in the National Congress -by both chambers-.
How do you think we can integrate Art and Culture into the Real Estate sector?
It occurs to me that perhaps a clause could be added to the Law on Cultural Patronage, or through a new Special Law, establishing the possibility for the Dominican Republic's real estate industry to receive some incentive or tax exemption if they are motivated to support and incorporate art and culture into the completion and finishing of their construction projects, not just simple decoration as has been the norm. Or something similar to the Dominican Republic's successful Film Law, which has undoubtedly yielded such excellent results for the development of the national film industry.
Is your intention to influence the sector you represent so that the Visual Arts and Creative Industries are taken into account?
Direct intervention isn't really within our reach, but we can contribute by calling on the country's real estate developers, their builders, architects, interior designers, decorators—in short, everyone involved in the decision-making process for the successful completion of projects—to beautify common areas and the overall decor. We urge them to hold tenders or competitions where hundreds of talented young artists and emerging visual artists (plastic artists, sculptors, ceramists, photographers, etc.)—graduates of leading art schools in the country, including self-taught artists—can participate and be hired for these projects.
Not just giving opportunities to famous and sought-after artists managed by a small group of art galleries and private collectors.
What would your recommendations be for merging both worlds?
Rather, it would be about raising awareness in this direction among all sectors involved, including launching motivational campaigns, even targeting those buying homes and apartments, so that they value quality more in this consumer society. For example: having a good original painting hanging on your wall (as far as your family budget allows), instead of a common object with no artistic or cultural value, simply because it represents a current style in decoration.
It is worth noting that Leo Batista's work is constant and uninterrupted. He currently serves as the general director of the "Billini Arte Espacio" Art Gallery, which will be inaugurated in the coming weeks in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo.
