{"id":5083859,"date":"2024-04-18T12:44:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-18T16:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ctlatinonews.com\/?p=5083859"},"modified":"2024-04-18T12:44:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T16:44:37","slug":"siempre-palante-celebrating-puerto-rican-heritage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/ctln\/2024\/04\/18\/siempre-palante-celebrating-puerto-rican-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"Siempre Pa\u2019Lante: Celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vibrant paintings, antique chairs, and framed family photos\u2014faded in color but rich in sentiment\u2014recreate a cherished family living room, one that transports visitors beyond TheaterWork Hartford’s historic theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siempre Pa\u2019Lante<\/em>, curated by Hartford-based Artist Joel Cintron<\/a>, accompanies the performance of Sanctuary City<\/em>. Both the exhibit and the show run through April 25, 2024.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OBIE Award-winning play <\/strong>Sanctuary City<\/em><\/strong><\/a> follows two young DREAMers, three months after the attacks of 9\/11, as they strive for the American dream in a shifting social and political landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the main characters’ race and ethnicity are unspecified, Cintron was inspired by the performances\u2019 themes to showcase and celebrate Connecticut\u2019s extensive Puerto Rican community through the original exhibit and a free community event on April 26. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Connecticut\u2019s largest Hispanic group, the Puerto Rican community represents nearly half (46.3%) of the state\u2019s total Hispanic population. In Hartford, about 74% of Hispanics are of Puerto Rican heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to bring awareness to our culture that\u2019s not superficial in a way\u2026especially for non-Latinos,\u201d shared Cintron. \u201cHere\u2019s actual facts, here\u2019s why we\u2019re here, this is our art, this is our music\u2014just showing the different layers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Bel\u00e9n Dumont.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The quasi-living room exhibit, inspired by Cintron\u2019s grandparents\u2019 home in the South End, aims to unite themes, including history and art, to commemorate his Puerto Rican heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just wanted to honor them and without both sides of my family\u2014my Colombian side or my Puerto Rican side\u2014coming [to Hartford] and meeting\u2026I wouldn\u2019t be here,\u201d said Cintron. \u201cJust to tell that story and kind of highlight why there are so many Puerto Ricans here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A collaborative effort between historian Elena Marie Rosario and local artists of Puerto Rican descent, the exhibit maintains a personal touch, such as the family and graduation photos of Cintron and his late loved ones adorning the space. Pieces by Andrea Sanchez, Miguel Jose Matos, and Kevin Ramirez are all showcased in the colorful space.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Bel\u00e9n Dumont.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The dedicated effort began last fall with Cintron applying for supplementary grants and drafting mockups for the exhibit. In December, Cintron traveled to Puerto Rico, where he drew further inspiration and discovered a few pieces for the exhibit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very different space from when I started,\u201d shared Cintron. \u201cEven the last exhibit was much more minimal so this is much more full, much more vibrant, colorful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siempre Pa\u2019Lante, <\/em>Cintron\u2019s first months-long exhibit and upcoming community event, was kickstarted through the Artists of Color Accelerator (AOCA) Fellowship. Cintron is one of ten fellows within the AOCA 2024 Cohort. The local program partners artists of color with an art-centric organization in the area and has them complete a project together within a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cintron\u2019s project has also been supported by grants from the Greater Hartford Arts Council with the San Juan Center, Inc., the Connecticut Office of the Arts, Assets 4 Artists, and The 224 Ecospace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Bel\u00e9n Dumont.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[The initiative is] a push on TheaterWorks Hartford to incorporate more plays that are not white-centered,\u201d explained Cintron. Siempre Pa\u2019Lante<\/em> “hopefully brings that narrative to the forefront more…not just supporting roles, actual forefront Latino stories.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cintron commented that there is a dire need for Latino-centered stories and cultural community efforts that engage and celebrate Hartford\u2019s diverse population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI also hope that [the project] inspires other artists\u2014whether you’re Latino or not\u2014just to say, \u2018hey, if I can do it and I never had experience doing this, you can do it too,\u2019\u201d said Cintron. \u201cInstead of waiting for opportunities, for someone to reach out, create it yourself\u2026and create that space for others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo by Bel\u00e9n Dumont.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Publisher\u2019s Notes: <\/em><\/strong>CT Latino News is proud to partner with TheaterWorks Hartford<\/a> in supporting the state\u2019s Arts and Culture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Siempre Pa\u2019Lante, curated by Hartford Artist Joel Cintron, showcases and celebrates Connecticut\u2019s extensive Puerto Rican community at TheaterWorks 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