Ah, Aruba! Is it already time to enjoy the stamp art for 2023? It sure is. Aruba’s stamp program is wonderfully compact and always a joy to see. Aruba does a great job promoting local artists and I’m pea green with envy for anyone who gets a chance to visit the island and maybe catch a cover signing.  I’ll keep my eyes open for any signings for future stamps and be sure to post them below. 

Looking back on last year’s program, there were two issues worth an extra mention. The first was their tribute to the 130th anniversary of their postal service by Nigel Matthew. 

As good as Mathew’s artwork was, the top vote goes to artist Natascha de la Fuente for her 4 stamp Orchids set. 

 I have to confess, I think the Orchids stand out because de la Fuente was very generous with her time in answering a few of my questions in an email exchange. That made the set seem a bit more alive. Cheers to her if she passes by this page. 

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January

Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit 

3 stamps on a souvenir sheet

Designer: Yohandy Larmonie 

Release date: January 22, 2023

April

Willem-Alexander – 10 Years Anniversary as King of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Gold edition

1 24-carat golden stamp in case (limited edition)

 Release date: April 27, 2023

May

Papiamento – 20 years as an official language

4 stamps, FDC, cancel

Papiamento is a Creole language containing elements of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English and French, as well as Arawakan and African languages. It is spoken by about 330,000 people in Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba, which were formerly known as the Netherlands Antilles. There are also Papiamento speakers in the Netherlands and Sint Maarten. In Curaçao and Bonaire the language is known as Papiamentu, and it is known as Papiamento in Aruba.
Papiamento language, alphabet and pronunciation (omniglot.com)

Designer: Kim Violenes

Release date: May 21, 2023

July

Aruba Sunsets

4 stamps, FDC, cancel

Descriptions excerpts are from the Aruba Post site: 

Light us the way

California Lighthouse is a historic landmark, located in the northwestern tip of Aruba, which dates back to 1915 and served as one of three lighthouses that oversaw shipping traffic into the island…

Catch of the day

Fishing on Aruba is a very old tradition and nowadays still some families make their livelihood from fishing. Some go out at dawn, some go at noon, and some at dusk…

Breakfast at sunset time

Cacti are one of the eye catchers of the Aruban landscape and add a beautiful visage to Aruba’s sunset.

The flowers and fruits of the cactus serves as a source of food for human, mammals, insects and birds. Especially for bats who awakens at dusk to search for their food.

Tradition meets nature at dawn

Characteristics of old Aruba: Traditional Aruban houses which architecture dates back to more than 150 years ago, fishery which was one of the main sources of income of Arubans and the Watapana Tree, Aruba’s natural compass, always pointing in a southwestern direction due to the north-east trade winds. 

Designer: Miriam De L’isle

Release date: July 14, 2023

September

Aruban Flora

4 stamps, FDC, cancel

Aruba National Park Foundation (FNPA) contest winners:

• Love on a Stamp – Boerhavia coccinea
  Winner Professional Nature Photographer: Meliza Lopez
• Mala Mujer and the Bee – Bulb-Nettle-Spurge
  Second place Professional Nature Photographer: Hubert de Cuba
• Dama di Anochi – Cereus hexagonus
  Winner Amateur Nature Photographer: Jeanrick Arends
• Flor di Huña di Gato – Mimosa distachya
  Second place Amateur Nature Photographer: Jourelle Goeloe

Designer: Paul Wong

Release date: September 27, 2023

October

Mental Health – World Mental Health Day

4 stamps, FDC, cancel

Designer: Diana Hopman Betjes (DJB Art)
Diana Betjes Art – Fine Art America

Release date: October 10, 2023