An ATX Night of Community Healing in Support of a Great Cause
Present
Music is Medicine
~ A Salva Madre Fundraiser ~
Featuring the Art and Music of Peruvian Curandero
Don William Llerena Murayari with Ilumina Medicina
Tribal House Beats by DJs Sir Jackson & J:Miah
Tickets: Sliding Scale $20-$40
Offering: Music, Art, Tea, Treats & Donation Based Bar
Join us for an unforgettable evening where we come together to experience the healing sounds of Don William, surrounded by his captivating artwork in the enchanting atmosphere of the ArtUs Co Gallery. His live performance will showcase the beauty of Peruvian folklore and Medicine Music, resonating deeply with our hearts, especially during these challenging times.
✨ Don’t miss the chance to view and purchase William’s stunning artwork!
As we reflect on our journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ilumina Medicina for fostering healing and growth in our community over the past five years.
🌱 Let’s unite for a night filled with art, community, and healing!
Your support will uplift spirits and contribute to Salva Madre, William’s inspiring land project in Peru.
Support the Building of Salva Madre: A Healing and Education Center in the Peruvian Jungle
ArtUs Co is proud to serve as a fiscal Sponsor for Salva Madre, as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, your contributions are tax-deductible.
You may donate online, or via check payable to:
ArtUs Co
10000 Research Blvd. Suite 141. Austin, TX 78759
Learn more about this special cause below:
Don William Llerena Murayari is an Elder Peruvian Curandero from the Cocama lineage, dedicated to preserving and sharing the ancestral wisdom of his people. He grew up immersed in the traditions of medicinal plants, learning from his father and grandfather—both respected Curanderos—since childhood.
At just 12 years old, Don William began assisting his father, Santiago Llerena, in preparing remedies for those in need in their village. He spent countless hours learning from his grandfather and first maestro, Pedro Murayari, participating in Dietas while deepening his understanding of the jungle's healing plants.
Nila, William’s partner, embodies the essence of the Divine Mother. She possesses the understanding and compassionate heart of an “abuelita,” channeling celestial energies through her mesmerizing voice. With over a decade of experience working closely with the jungle plants, Nila has studied exclusively in the Cocama and Mestizo lineages, enriching their shared journey.
William and Nila’s musical mastery is a true example of their profound connection, and together they are an inspiration to many. Their harmony goes beyond performance—it reflects a shared devotion to spirit, culture, and community, weaving sound into a tapestry of healing and joy. Each note they create carries the essence of their bond, uplifting those around them and reminding us of the beauty born when two souls move in rhythm with one another.
Your Support Matters
Your contributions can help this beautiful family achieve their dream of building a Sacred Center for the study and conservation of medicinal plants, safeguarding culture and traditional art, and expanding their healing offerings. This center will serve as a sanctuary for ancestral knowledge and a living classroom where wisdom is passed down to future generations.
By preserving the plants, songs, stories, and practices, they aim to create a bridge between the past and the present—honoring tradition while opening doors for those seeking healing and deeper connections. Your support means you are contributing to a vision that protects the amazon, empowers the community, and ensures their gifts thrive and inspire the world.
The Vision
Around 40 years ago, during his second plant medicine ceremony, William experienced a powerful vision. He saw the Amazon Rainforest transformed into a desert, with only one tree remaining—a majestic White Lupuna. In the tree’s canopy, he saw an old man’s face that was crying while William was playing his guitar. He looked very sad. William started singing, using only sound vibrations (no words), as if the song were a cry—a cry for help—a lament from the Jungle. When he finished singing, he felt, for the first time, that plants have a life and that at the same time they give life to humanity. They are alive: they have feelings, and now they are suffering.
In that moment, he recognized his calling: to protect the Amazon and its plants by creating a center focused on reforesting medicinal plants. After years of prayer, dedication, and with the support of a dear friend, he and his family have purchased 70 hectares of lush land, abundant with plants and trees, for this purpose.
What’s Needed Today
To ensure this sacred dream flourishes, William and his family need your support. Their vision is to establish a Sacred Center Sanctuary rooted in the wisdom of the forest—dedicated to both protecting the rainforest and providing a nurturing space for deep learning, healing, and cultural preservation. This center will offer seekers and students from around the world opportunities to engage in studies, Dietas, courses, ceremonies, and healing experiences guided by William's ancestral knowledge.
The Sacred Center will include:
A maloca (prayer/ceremony house): a sacred gathering space for ceremony, song, prayer, and community.
40 Individual Tambos (small houses): Private retreats for students to engage in Dietas and study in communion with the medicine and the forest.
A Community Kitchen and Dining Area: A nourishing space for residents, guests, and the local community to share meals together.
Housing for Support Staff: To ensure the safety and stewardship of the land and its visitors.
Transportation: Boats and motors for safely bringing guests to the center and connecting with neighboring communities.
An Art & Medicine School: A facility for teaching visionary art, traditional crafts, and the knowledge of sacred medicines, ensuring that these practices are celebrated and passed on.
The land chosen for this vision is located near the Cocama village, the ancestral home of William’s people. Building this center is not only about creating a place of study and healing but also about giving back—supporting the community that has carried this wisdom for generations. By fostering, strengthening, and promoting their culture, William and his family are ensuring that the songs, plants, rituals, and traditions remain alive and protected for the future.
This Sacred Center represents more than buildings—it is a seed of hope, a bridge between the ancient and the modern, and a place where the spirit of the Rainforest can continue to inspire and heal all who come in contact with it.
A Personal Message from William
When I was young, my father took me out of my village so I could go to school. For this reason, I didn’t learn the Cocama language very well. I don’t want this to happen to other kids. I don’t want the culture to end, which is why we want to create this school and bring in Cocama language teachers as well as elders who can teach about traditional medicine.
I have worked with an engineer to make this possible. I don’t know anything about how to build this or how to make it possible, but this person told me I needed to put together a project for my dreams to come true.
So Nila and I have opened our organization, Salva Madre, which means “Save the Mother”. Mother as in “Mother Earth”… This organization is officially registered. We recently built our own office, which we financed with our savings, and with the support of our friend Allan, we were able to purchase the land. Now we need to start building. And once this is built, I will be waiting for you all here. Everyone’s welcome to join us and celebrate and join us to inaugurate this sanctuary together.