Ecuadorian visual artist and photo educator Monica Aguilar Villamarin has been awarded the prestigious “Photo Educator of the Year 2025” by The Lucie Foundation, as part of the internationally renowned Lucie Awards. This global recognition honors her impactful educational and community work in the program “Symbols of the River”, part of her artistic and environmental project Espíritu de Río.
Her project merges visual arts, pedagogy, and ecological awareness, focusing on Quito’s urban and hidden rivers and ancient springs flowing through the city’s historic center.
Nominated by UNESCO Quito for Social and Educational Impact
Aguilar’s nomination was submitted by UNESCO Quito, acknowledging the deep educational and social relevance of her work. Through participatory art processes, the project has engaged children, families, artists, and riverside communities to explore their emotional and symbolic connection to water and urban health.
Photography, Childhood, and the Memory of Water
“Symbols of the River” stands out for its innovative use of photography as an educational tool, helping children build visual representations of their bond with water. The project also revives the collective memory of water in Quito’s urban imagination, highlighting the importance of rivers as living cultural and ecological entities.
A Recognition for the Entire River Community
This international award is not only a celebration of Mónica Aguilar’s creative leadership—it also amplifies the efforts of the broader river community that works toward ecological and cultural restoration in Quito.
Environmental and citizen collectives such as “Rescate del Río San Pedro”, “Guardianas del Río Machángara”, “Minga Mundial”, “Mujeres por el Agua”, and the “Red del Río” see this honor as a catalyst for stronger collaborations between citizens, civil society, and local governments. The shared goal is clear: to restore Quito’s river ecosystems in the shortest time possible.