Artists

Julio Fajardo (1910-1979) – Painter, sculptor, ceramicist.
As a recognized painter and sculptor, his works have been exhibited in the best galleries and museums across the country.
He won a silver medal for his sculpture called “Woman” sculpted out of gypsum stone. His sculptures are generally monumental. He was born in Honda.

Darío Jiménez (1919-1980) – Painter.
He is considered to be one of the most renowned Colombian painters.
Many of his works created during fourthy years, were exhibited at the Luis Angel Arango Library during the XXX Exhibition Rooms Anniversary celebrations. He was born in Ibagué.

Jorge Elias Triana – Painter.
Triana is a renowned muralist who has achieved numerous recognitions.
His works have been exhibited in many museums and art galleries throughout Colombia, Venezuela, United States and in European countries. He was born in San Bernardo (Tolima) in 1921

Jose Alirio Ortiz (1924-2006) – Painter, architect.
He studied at the former Section of Plastic Arts attached to the Conservatory of Music of Tolima. He also attended the School of Fine Arts in Ibague for three years. Since the beginning of his career he was devoted to landscape paintings. His works are figurative.
One of his jobs as an architect it was the design of the civil work of Paz del Rio Steel Mill. Afterwards, he resumed painting. His paintings were exhibited in Costa Rica , United States , Germany , Austria , Peru , etc.
In Colombia was exhibited showed "A pictorial retrospective half-century of art 1946-1996" at the " Soledad Rengifo" Library in Ibague and at "El Rancho" Club in Bogota.
He was a professor at the National University Faculty of Arts and the University de la Sabana . He was born in Libano, Tolima.

Carlos Granada – Painter.
Granada's paintings of impressionist style have been exhibited at the Luis Angel Arango Library, the "Modern Art" Gallery of Bogota and the National Library of Colombia. He has participated in several expositions abroad and has won awards. He was born in Honda in 1933.

Darío Ortiz – Painter and muralist.
An acclaimed painter of figurative art, his works have been presented in numerous national galleries as well as internationally.
He has obtained several international prizes. He was born in Ibagué in 1968.

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Actors (In Spanish)

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Musicians, Composers and Singers

Fulgencio Garcia (1880-1945) – Musician.
García was a mandolin master and great composer of folkloric music. He was the author of La gata golosa, one of the best-known"pasillos".
He also composed the instrumental "pasillos" Vino tinto and Coqueteos. Als, some "bambucos" including El destemplado and Qué nos importa, bien mío were among many of his impressive works. The composer was born in Purification.

Rafael Godoy (1907-1973) – Composer.
Creator of the famous bambuco Soy colombiano.
Other of his compositions are Mi cafetal, Tierra caliente and Arrunchaditos. He was born in Natagaima.

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(Cont. Musicians)

Leonor Buenaventura de Valencia (1914-2007)
– Composer.
Mrs. Leonor Buenaventura de Valencia, the so-called “the Ibagué's fiancée", was a talented composer.
She was the authoress of Christmas carols, masses, bambucos, pasillos, boleros, operettas and songs for children. Her best-known musical composition is 'Ibaguereña' to pay tribute to her sister, who passed away at the age of 20. She was born in Ibagué.

Óscar Buenaventura (1920-1999) – Composer, pianist, soloist, director of orchestra.
This gifted musician was very successful at the European and North American theatres and stages. His name can be found amongst the most important Latin-American musicians in music history books. The musician was born in Ibagué.

Matilde Díaz (1924 -2002) – Singer.
This great interpreter of folkloric and popular music was the main voice in the orchestra of Lucho Bermúdez.
One of the largest reverences she ever received was in 1992 while she was celebrating 50 years of artistic life. She was born in San Bernardo (Cundinamarca) but grew up in Icononzo (Tolima), which she considers as her as her hometown.

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Duets

Garzón y Collazos
The first and most well-known Colombian folkloric music duet, formed by Darío Garzón and Eduardo Collazos, arose in 1938 and concluded in 1977 with of the death of Eduardo Collazos.
These famous musicians, interpreters and composers were deservers of many honours and decorations. Garzón was born in Girardot (Cundinamarca) and Collazos was born in Ibagué.

Emeterio y Felipe Los tolimenses
These great exponents of folkloric rhythms and the good humorists of our country were applauded all over Colombia and throughout many other countries. During their 42 years of artistic life they were awarded several important prizes.
Jorge Ezequiel Ramírez, "Emeterio", was born in Ibagué in 1929. He died in 2000. Lizardo Díaz, "Felipe" was born in Baraya (Huila) in 1928.

Silva y Villalba
Rodrigo Silva and Álvaro Villalba, composers and interpreters, were some of the biggest promoters of Colombian music for four decades. Their most recent artistic tour took place in April, 2006.

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Beauty Queen-  "Miss Colombia"

                       



-1965-
Edna Margarita Rudd Lucena 
She was also crowned Miss New World in 1966.
Born in Armero in 1947.

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"MISSES COLOMBIA" SINCE 1932

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