The Museo Antropológico Reina Torres de Arauz has officially adopted a new institutional identity, selecting a winning design for its anthropological museum logo from more than 250 submissions received nationwide. The announcement came Thursday during a ceremony led by Arianne Benedetti, serving as acting Minister of Culture, alongside acting Deputy Minister Ivis Moreno.
The winning proposal, titled “Etnovisión,” was created by María Milagros Vergara Rodríguez. She received a symbolic check for 10,000 balboas, with the prize funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The competition drew entries from across Panama, a turnout officials say underscores public investment in preserving national heritage.
Así es el logo del Museo Reina Torres de Araúz. https://t.co/nZfpW6qjUT
— Telemetro (@Telemetro) September 24, 2026
Design Process Behind the Anthropological Museum Logo
Vergara Rodríguez described a research-driven creative process that began with studying the life and legacy of Dr. Reina Torres de Arauz, the renowned anthropologist who championed the museum’s creation. She also examined visual references from Panamanian Indigenous cultures, including their art, traditional dress, and the architecture of the former train station that houses the museum.
During the conceptualization phase, the designer fused several key symbols. The logo incorporates a map showing the location of Indigenous territories, traditional geometric patterns, the building’s architectural structure, and a crown figure representing both the anthropologist and the Emberá flower. The final design uses a reddish tone inspired by the papo flower as its primary color, with typography in dark blue. Seven colors representing Panama’s cultural diversity were explored before settling on the final palette.
Jury Selection and Institutional Support
A three-member jury evaluated the submissions. The panel included architect Ignacio Mallol, archaeologist Julia Mayo, and painter Eduardo Navarro. Their selection of “Etnovisión” followed a review process that considered both aesthetic quality and cultural resonance.
Culture Minister María Eugenia Herrera, appearing via video message, congratulated the winner and acknowledged all participants who submitted proposals. She also recognized the National Directorate of Museums for managing the selection process. Herrera said the renewed image aims to help citizens feel closer to the institution and its mission.
Museum Legacy and Future Direction
Founded in 1976 as the Museum of the Panamanian Man, the institution was later renamed to honor Dr. Reina Torres de Arauz. It remains Panama’s principal reference point for anthropology, tasked with safeguarding, researching, and disseminating archaeological and ethnographic evidence spanning thousands of years of human presence in the isthmus.
The Ministry of Culture reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Panama’s historical memory as a driver of development and a living legacy for future generations. The new visual identity marks a step in that ongoing effort, giving the museum a contemporary symbol while anchoring it firmly in the country’s pluricultural identity.