ACCIONES

ACCIONES QUE LEVANTAN A PUERTO RICO (ACCIONES), IS THE ONLY STUDENT ART EXHIBIT OF ITS KIND, FEATURING 80 ORIGINAL PAINTINGS
FROM PUERTO RICAN STUDENTS IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE MARIA’S DEVASTATING PATH THROUGH THE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO.

The CHICAS by Alejandra Foundation (CHICAS Foundation), a leading social movement and non-profit organization against bullying and social injustice in Puerto Rico, announced that student art exhibit, Acciones que levantan a Puerto Rico (Actions that lift Puerto Rico), ACCIONES, will open in New York, September 20, 2018, to mark the first year anniversary of the devastating path of Hurricane Maria through the Caribbean island. ACCIONES is the only hurricane-themed student art exhibit of its kind.

Featuring original works by Puerto Rican students, from public and private schools, the two-part New York presentation of ACCIONES will be available at The Loisaida Center, September 20 through October 19; followed by the second part of the collection, which will be presented at the Queens College Arts Center, starting on October 4.

“The collection communicates a profound sense of hope for the future, as well as, its serves as a poignant reminder of the long road ahead to help Puerto Rico fully recover from the storm’s devastation. Acciones also reveals the values that best represent the people of Puerto Rico; such as service, family, empathy, solidarity, hospitality, culture, love of nature and resiliency,” expressed Frances I. Ryan, executive director of the CHICAS Foundation.

“Unveiling the exhibit in New York as we mark the first-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria, is a fitting gesture of appreciation to all New Yorkers, especially to the Puerto Rican community, which immediately galvanized to provide humanitarian support to victims in the aftermath of
the hurricane,” the CHICAS executive continued saying.

As one of the leading Puerto Rican community and cultural organizations in New York, The Loisaida Center, which in partnership with its umbrella organization, Acacia Network, has been at the center of New York’s humanitarian efforts to help Puerto Rico victims in the wake of Hurricane Maria. “Having ACCIONES at The Loisaida Center, is also our way saying thank you,” Ryan said, adding that the presentation at Queens College provides a different, yet very important academic setting, consistent with the student art exhibit.

Immediately after the passing of Hurricane Maria, the CHICAS Foundation participated in 200 humanitarian missions around the island. Also, in coordination with the Visual Arts Program of the Puerto Rico Department of Education, CHICAS hosted, Acciones, an island wide contest for
students, grades K-12, from public and private schools.

Despite dire conditions, nearly 100{d189f1124ffa6975f5923217354196c41f30852329af055ade71c436dc0b2403} of the island still in the dark, without water, telecommunications or access to roads, an astounding 630 original works were submitted to participate in the Acciones art contest.

A panel of artists, art teachers and community leaders selected 80 paintings that became the exhibit’s official selection The CHICAS Foundation envisioned the hurricane-themed art initiative as an important communication forum for Puerto Rican students, allowing them to express their life changing experiences and begin to heal through art. Many teachers participated in the art contest to facilitate communication with students as they returned to school after the hurricane.

“Opinions like those expressed while in a panel, presentation, performance or through artwork are expressed by the author in their personal capacity and are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Loisaida Inc., its affiliates or staff.”