Puerto Rican Women in Arts
by : Alexis Figueroa @trailerparkproj
It doesn't take an art expert to recognize that women in the arts across the globe have historically been marginalized and overlooked, a trend driven by systemic patriarchy. Unfortunately, Puerto Rico is no exception. Throughout my 20 years in the art scene, I have witnessed firsthand the disproportionate opportunities available to women artists. As I delved into Puerto Rican art history, I gradually uncovered the stories of countless women artists who have been forgotten for various reasons. These innovative and talented individuals have left a significant mark on their time, yet they are often overlooked in discussions about art, and frequently overshadowed by their male counterparts. This realization ignited a deep desire within me to bring about change. Although my efforts may seem small in the grand scheme of things, I believe we must honor and recognize the contributions of women in the arts, both from our island and its diaspora. After months of extensive research, I successfully reached out to over 280 artists, inviting them to participate in an upcoming exhibition. While I couldn’t contact everyone, advancements in technology and social media allowed me to construct the most comprehensive database of living Puerto Rican women artists, now totaling over 330. This endeavor is not entirely unprecedented. Mari Mater O’Neill’s publication, "Mujeres artistas protagonistas de los ochenta," focusing on women artists in Puerto Rico during the 1980s, served as an inspiration and foundation for my initiative. Other critical historical references include the 1989 exhibition "Mujeres Artistas de Puerto Rico" at Plaza Las Americas, the documentary "El Legado" produced by the Association of Women Artists of Puerto Rico and the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico, the 1993 exhibition "Nuestro Autorretrato Mujeres Artistas de Puerto Rico," and Lisa Ladner’s impressive "El-Status" webpage. More recently, the exhibitions "Anarquistas y Dialectos 1 & 2" at the MAC and Raquel Torres Arzola's 2015 article "Viva la resistencia: Women artists in Puerto Rico and outside" have further illuminated the importance of this work. With limited resources and no budget but fueled by our commitment to justice, Trailer Park Projects has partnered with El Schomburg to organize a groundbreaking exhibition that will showcase over 140 living and working Puerto Rican women artists together in one space—an event taking place right here in Chicago. To celebrate these remarkable artists and align with the theme for International Women's Day 2025, "Accelerate Action," we intentionally selected March for the exhibition opening. "Puerto Rican Women in Arts" will welcome the public on Friday, March 7th, followed by an engaging artist talk on March 8th. This discussion will explore the history of Puerto Rican women in the arts and the myriad challenges they have faced. To ensure this unprecedented event is well-documented, we aim to raise funds for a catalog that will include the names and information of all participating artists, as well as those who could not be contacted or were unable to participate. Our goal is to create formal documentation that future generations can utilize as both an educational resource and a directory for women artists from Puerto Rico and its diaspora. This work is made possible through the invaluable support of wonderful collaborators and colleagues, including Raquel Torres Arzola, Maria Josefina Melero, Aisha Perez, Melissa Ramos, Brenda Torres, Mariel Quinones, and many others.
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Puerto Rican Women in the Arts Exhibit | March 7 to April 27, 2025. Join us for a special guided tour of this historic exhibit with Alexis Figueroa of Trailer Park Projects.
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For appointments M-F, text/call (787) 409-6983. Open Saturdays | 10 am to 4 PM