You might have read before about artist Porfirio Busto’s creative spirit behind El Café de Porfirio, or the celebration of his prolific career as a painter and cultural figure. But beyond the canvases, exhibitions, and warm café conversations lies another equally enduring part of his legacy: his work as a teacher and mentor.
In this article, we turn our attention to the classes at his Academia de Artes Visuales, where for more than fifty years he has been shaping the next generations of artists in Paraguay.
A warning from friends and family
When Porfirio Busto first set out to become an artist in Paraguay, the message was clear: “You will starve.” The warnings came from friends, family, and society at large, and it is a saying not even foreign to artists now; no one believed a life in art was sustainable. But instead of abandoning his dream, Busto found a way to protect it.
“I knew I wanted to be an artist, and I needed to survive,” he recalls. “That is when I thought: What if I give drawing lessons? I could earn a living without letting go of what I love.”
More than fifty years of teaching
What began as a practical solution turned into “a lifelong vocation”. More than fifty years later, Busto is still teaching and inspiring hundreds in the process. His Academia de Artes Visuales in Villa Morra is now a refuge for aspiring artists of all ages and a cornerstone of Asunción’s cultural scene.
While much of his technique evolved from personal discipline and observation, he studied at the Escuela de Bellas Artes in Asunción under the mentorship of Roberto Holden Jara, the school’s founder and first director. In 1969, he opened the first Instituto Paraguayo de Dibujo y Pintura, now known as the Centro Cultural Porfirio Busto. Although he now has collaborators to cover all the different class schedules, he still teaches personally as well.
From 1970 to 1985, Busto reached thousands through his televised program “Dibujando con Porfirio,” first aired on Canal 9 Cerro Corá and later on Canal 13. He also pioneered print-based learning with his magazine “Dibujando y Pintando con Porfirio Busto,” the first of its kind in Paraguay. His collaborations with newspaper Última Hora resulted in weekly educational supplements, eventually totaling over 80 unique installments focused on various drawing and painting techniques. He has sold more than 50,000 DVDs with recorded lessons.
What to expect from Porfirio Busto’s art classes?
Porfirio Busto offers group and individual classes for teens and adults, with or without prior experience. Students enter a supportive space where each person can discover their unique visual voice. He teaches foundational techniques in acrylic painting, watercolor, oil painting, and artistic drawing. More than tools and materials, students explore emotion and observation. They learn to paint still lifes, portraits, and more, and to see both the world and themselves differently.
“Art is not just a technique, it is a mirror,” he says. “With each brushstroke, a student reveals something of their own personality.”
Class schedule, and student opportunities
Porfirio Busto offers both drawing and painting classes twice a week, with each session lasting 1.5 hours, for a total of 3 hours of instruction per week. Students can choose between two groups: Mondays and Tuesdays, or Thursdays and Fridays, with options for both in-person and online participation to accommodate different needs and lifestyles.
Beyond weekly instruction, students also have the opportunity to take part in an annual art exhibition, where they showcase their drawings, paintings, and other works developed during the year. “It is a moment of pride,” Busto explains, “seeing students share their progress with the public.”
Works on display can also be made available for purchase, giving students a chance to begin building their presence in the art world if they choose.
More ways to learn with Porfirio Busto
Porfirio also offers lessons in multiple formats:
- Live classes
- Packs of recorded lessons
- Digital magazines
Options start at just US$2.00, making it easy for anyone to begin learning how to draw and paint. When you enroll, your first class is free.
A teacher who learns from his students
What sets Busto apart is his belief in art as therapy and transformation. He has worked with students with disabilities, people dealing with personal grief, and those who had never held a pencil before.
“I have learned as much from my students as they have learned from me,” he admits. “Some of them have overcome huge challenges just to show up and create. That humility teaches me every day.”
He remembers one moment in particular: a student with motor challenges who created a beautiful, expressive painting using only a few limited movements. “That experience changed the way I see ability and creativity forever.”
VIP Card benefits
As a VIP member of The Asuncion Times, you receive a 10% discount on the monthly tuition of art classes by showing your VIP Member card – one of many exclusive VIP Member Benefits.
Class schedule
Classes are ongoing, and open for new registrations. Materials are not included, but guidance is provided on what to bring. Enrollment is open year-round.
Regular Class Schedule
First Group
Monday: 8:00 – 9:30 and 16:00 – 17:30
Tuesday: 8:00 – 9:30 and 16:00 – 17:30
Second Group
Thursday: 8:00 – 9:30 and 16:00 – 17:30
Friday: 8:00 – 9:30 and 16:00 – 17:30
Winter break special schedule
(From July 14, 2025, onwards – enrollment is open throughout the winter)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Morning Sessions: 8:00 – 9:30 and 9:30 – 11:00
Afternoon Sessions: 15:00 – 16:30 and 16:30 – 18:00
Saturday: 8:00 – 11:30 and 15:00 – 17:00
Take advantage of this extended schedule to explore your creativity or deepen your practice in a flexible, supportive environment. All skill levels welcome.
Location: Academia de Artes Visuales Porfirio Busto
Address: Dugraty 5019 c/ Tte. Rivas, Villa Morra, Asunción
More information: Look up Porfirio Busto’s website. You can also find Porfirio Busto on Instagram.
