About Chokechaka
Our Name & History
Chokechaka, meaning "The Golden Bridge" in the native Andean language of Quechua, began its journey in 2004 with the creation of Hanaqpacha Intiq Sombran. The project evolved through intercultural exchange programs between Cusco, Peru and New York, USA, establishing itself as a bridge between the Sacred Valley of the Incas rich heritage and an international artistic community.
Vision & Values
Our residency welcomes artists who seek not only to advance their personal projects but also to engage deeply with the Sacred Valley of the Incas culture, nature, and history. We prioritize artists whose practice shows receptivity to new environments and can be enriched by immersion in different cultures and languages. Our ideal residents balance independent work with community engagement, valuing shared experiences and cultural exchange.
Location
Situated in Huaran, a vibrant agricultural town in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Inca (Calca province, Cusco region) at 9,850 ft (3,000m), our community brings together traditional local communities, residents from across Peru, and an international population from every continent. This dynamic, evolving cultural landscape has flourished over the past decade.
Cultural Engagement
We facilitate rich connections with local resources and experiences. Residents can participate in backstrap weaving workshops, collaborate at nearby ceramic studios, explore agroforestry projects in the Sacred Valley and in the Tambopata region of the Peruvian Amazon, and visit local waterfalls, Inca temples, and salt mines. We arrange and foster collaborations with local scholars, artists, craftspeople, weavers, anthropologists, and Andean priests, creating meaningful cultural exchanges.
Mission
Our mission centers on fostering cultural, social, environmental, and humanitarian exchange. We believe in preserving and celebrating local traditions while creating deep connections through shared experiences. Through collective stewardship and community responsibility, we work toward personal, social, and ecological transformation.
About the Founders
Adolfo Ibáñez Ayerve and Jennifer Zackin divide their time between New York's Hudson Valley and Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, bringing together their diverse artistic backgrounds and cultural perspectives to create Chokechaka's unique environment.
Adolfo Ibáñez Ayerve, a musician and actor from Cusco, Peru, studied the charango (a traditional guitar-like instrument) under Julio Benavente Diaz, one of the last grand masters of the t'ipi finger-picking technique. Through his work, Adolfo preserves and shares traditional music, storytelling, and creative expressions, keeping alive collective wisdom that connects past and present while fostering harmonious living.
Jennifer Zackin is a multimedia artist and cultural worker whose practice is deeply influenced by human connection, traditional practices, and the natural landscape. Her public art emphasizes community engagement and collaboration, while her drawings, sculptures, and installations explore natural patterns and environmental stewardship. Jennifer's work has been exhibited internationally in museums, galleries, and public spaces. Her portfolio can be viewed at jenniferzackin.com.
Together, they have created a space where artistic practice and cultural exchange flourish in the heart of the Sacred Valley.