Santurce Es Ley.

Photo: Murals on a building in Santurce.

Monday's excursion was so visually overwhelming (in a good way) and also had a particularly personal discovery for me.

First, in the morning, we had an incredible class with Dr. Maria Elba Torres, who's a co-creator of the CAUWW program, and a foremost expert on Puerto Rican art history. She showed us slides of images and explained to us about the different perspectives on, and aesthetics of Puerto Rican art - from the institutionally accepted Spaniard/European, and the American to the lesser known and documented Antillean/Caribbean aesthetic. The latter of which she has been researching, documenting, writing and teaching about, as it is her specialty as an art historian and educator. 

My classmates and I then piled in to the van for a trip to Santurce to meet with a local artist there named Javier Cintron. Javier is one of the artists that works with the event Santurce Es Ley (Santurce is Law), which invites artists to create public murals all over town. And with that, the whole town is COVERED in huge and amazing art. It's really quite a sight to see. Javier took us on a tour all around to view murals that were created by fellow artists, as well as himself. One of the most poignant things that Javier said, which stuck with me was that the public mural movement in Santurce has become so strong and relevant that it alleviated the need for artists to rely on the acceptance of institutions like art galleries or museums. It allows them to have a voice and get their authentic messages out and impact upon the community. 

This visit had a particular relevance for me because my father actually lived in this city for some time (being born in the farmlands of Humacao and moving to Santurce for some time before immigrating to New York City). I hastily called my dad to ask him what street he lived on and as serendipity would have it, he lived on Monserrate street,  the same street as Javier! After our mural tour, Javier welcomed us into his home which was interesting since a part of his work is to illustrate the old houses of Santurce (one of which he lives in), and interesting for me too, since it's a part of my own family's history.

(There are lots more pics of the art of Santurce on my Instagram: @whippedhoney.)

Javier Cintron in front of Bikismo's mural in Santurce

Javier in front of his house

CAUWW with Javier in front of one of his murals

El Yunque and Luquillo

Photo: From the observation tower at El Yunque. 

On Sunday we took a break from the classroom and drove out to visit El Yunque rainforest and then Luquillo beach.  We were lucky to have one of our coordinators, Regina's BFF, Melanie, with us, as she happens to be a tour guide at El Yunque. I had been to the rainforest many years before  with my parents, so I had some idea of how lush it was. But being with Melanie was great because she taught us a bit about the history and took us on a hiking trail that lead to beautiful river. There were lots of people there (both tourists and local families) swimming and relaxing around the rocks. 

We worked up quite an appetite hiking around El Yunque, so after that, we went to eat some Puerto Rican goodies at a roadside  restaurant (yum!!!). And from there we headed off to Luquillo beach. Full bellies notwithstanding, we all got into our swimsuits and into the ocean. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. 

Hiking in El Yunque.

Luquillo Beach.

CAUWW hiking a trail in El Yunque.

Luquillo Beach.

A long day in Ponce.

Photo: Public art in the square in Ponce. 

We drove across the island on Saturday morning, through the mountains, to Ponce. I had heard that there's a drought going on here in Puerto Rico, but nowhere was is more evident to me than when looking over the dry countryside and farmlands. Arriving in Ponce, we were once again in a metropolitan setting, near the sea.

We arrived at the studio of renowned artist, Antonio Martorell for a tour. He first had us look around his space full of a vast array of works and mediums. We sat out back, in his work space near the garden, and he imparted some wisdom on us before walking us through the gallery again to explain some of his lovely pieces.

Antonio joined us for lunch at a nearby restaurant by the same called El Ancla (the food was delicious!) and then we parted ways. Next stop was Museo de Arte de Ponce to see a retrospective on multidisciplinary artist, Jack Delano: 100 Años. From photos documenting Puerto Rico in the 1940s (juxtaposed with his photos from the 1980s), to book illustration, film production and music composition, the retrospective was inspiring.

From there, we made a pit-stop in the center of town to grab some ice cream and we saw a public art project: a bunch of lion statues (as the lion represents Ponce) decorated by various Puerto Rican artists (very similar to the cow statue project that was in NYC a few years ago, which I was not a big fan of).

On our way home we went into a residential area of Ponce where there is a homage to the great salsero, Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez. With a mini-museum full of album covers and photos, a party space, two outdoor stages, (as well as an altar area in the back for El Conde) I can only imagine what kind of parties they hold on that street, which was officially named for the hometown legend. 

After that, we dropped off our fearless leader, Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, at the Afro-Latino Festival, where she would be receiving an award later that night. We took the long drive back to campus, under the stars, as it was already getting quite late.

(For more photos, check out my Instagram: @whippedhoney.)

Our fearless leader: Dr. Marta Moreno Vega

Artist, Antonio Martorell in his home studio

Jack Delano retrospective at Museo de Arte de Ponce

Homage to Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez

My morning coffee.

Photo: From inside the porch at the Casa Carmona, Interamerican University

"I see you trying to stick to your morning routine, Lorie" is what one of my housemates laughingly told me the other day. I am by no means a morning person, but each day since I've been in Puerto Rico, I have been setting my alarm for 7am, making myself a little breakfast and sitting out on the porch to eat before anyone else wakes up. There are seven of us staying together at the Casa Carmona, a guest house on the campus of Interamerican University. As you can see by the accompanying photo, the house is totally enclosed by metal bars, and situated by a highway; so there's not much of a view from the porch. In my regular life back home, I'm used to quite a bit of solitude. I've definitely never lived in a house with six other people. (Yes, that's seven women in a house with two bathrooms.) But I will admit that I'm enjoying it. The people that I'm here with are all extraordinary, intelligent, considerate and fun to be around. I feel lucky to be here in Puerto Rico having such a tremendous experience and learning so much. A few minutes in the morning to collect my thoughts with a cup of coffee is enough solitude to suffice for the day's upcoming adventure. The café con leche out on the road is much more delicious, by the way. 

A conglomeration of trees, outside of the guest house

Walking alongside a mural on the footbridge on campus

A day in Loiza and Piñones

Photo: Sculpture and paintings in Samuel Lind's home studio

What an extraordinary day we had, traveling to the towns of Loiza and Piñones today. This is an area of Puerto Rico which is primarily populated by people of African descent, and maintains much of the culture and traditions within, such as bomba and plena music and dance. 

First we were welcomed into the home studio of artist, Samuel Lind. As a part of this community, Samuel highlight so much of the beauty in Loiza by way of documenting the people and their traditions. His work spans from painting to sculpture and silkscreen and every corner of his two- story home studio is covered in artwork. 

From there, we went across the street for a quick visit to the artisan shop of Castor Ayala, who's famous for making the masks used in Puerto Rican festivals. Next we went for a "quick" bite at a beachside cuchifrito spot called Kiosco Boriqua (which took forever, but was well worth the wait). We wanted to make a detour to the beach, but ran out of time as we had an appointment in Piñones. 

We went to the Cooperativa Piñones se Integra (COPI) and met with the founder, Maricruz Rivera Clemente. She spoke with us about her activism through art and how COPI strengthens the community through sustainable development, offers ecotourism and is also a center for bomba and plena performance and classes. 

(For more photos, go to my Instagram @whippedhoney)

Class trip to the University of Puerto Rico

Today we took a class trip to the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, which is a public university. Our first class was presented by poet, writer and cultural activist, Yolanda Arroyo Pizzaro, on engaging the gender narrative within a traditional and colonial framework. Then, artist and student organizer Pedro Lugo presented on student activism, student strikes and took us on a tour of the campus to see student activist murals.

For more pics go to my Instagram @whippedhoney

So much information....

Today was a long day with three classes, amazing presenters. There's been so much information to process each day that honestly, I don't have the time to sit and write about it thoughtfully.  I may have to come back to this blog later and revisit the topics. Suffice to say, our morning class was presented by sociologist and community organizer, Professor Victor Ortiz. The next class was a workshop in Storytelling and Resilient Strategies by Maria De Mater O'Neill from Rubberband PR Design. And the third was a political and cultural movement presentation by Panama Alba, a member of the Young Lords Party. 

Antonio Carrión Torruellas / David Zayas

Today, master artist and last surviving member of the DIVEDCO collective, Antonio Carrión Torruellas taught our class.  Afterwards he was kind enough to give us each signed prints of his work.

Later we went to El Museo de las Américas and met with arist David Zayas who gave us a private tour of his exhibition, Muralis.

I got a lot of photos of Zayas' phenomenal work; to see more check my Instagram: @whippedhoney.

First day of class... And some art.

Today was our first day of class at the Interamerican University campus. Dr. Marta Moreno Vega and Dr. Maria Elba Torres welcomed us with an introduction to the CAUWW course and its purpose. Then we got an overview on the political history of Puerto Rico by Palmira Rios. 

In the morning we had breakfast  at the student cafeteria and had some free time before class. We found out that there was both an art gallery and a museum on campus, so we went to see them. Here are a few photos of both - Art gallery at Interamerican University, exhibition: Paradigmas Estéticos and El Museo Puertoriqueño de Antropológica Religiosa. 

(See more photos of the exhibits on my Instagram @whippedhoney.)

Ready for takeoff!

Well it's kind of gray and drizzling today, but the sun is starting to peek out. At JFK Airport, just about ready to take off on this Travesia Artistica! I'm happy to have a window seat. We'll be in San Juan in a few hours.

Community Arts University Without Walls is a special course of study for those interested in the impact and role of cultural arts in engaging issues of social justice within communities. The courses taught by renowned community experts and scholars culturally grounded in the arts, public policy and advocacy will present and engage with students on best practices that have made positive and significant contributions to diverse communities. The two-weeks intensive course of study focuses on the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement, important contemporary issues including cultural equity, social and economic justice and their continuing impact on the present and future generations of cultural arts activists. 

(From the CAUWW website.)