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'Diasporican': Eastern to host art exhibition with National Puerto Rican Diaspora Museum

by Darlene Orozco B.

Willimantic, CT (10/17/2024) — The Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University will host an exhibition titled "Diasporican: from Dispersion to Integration" in collaboration with the National Puerto Rican Diaspora Museum (NPRDM). The exhibition will run from Oct. 15 to Feb. 13 with an opening reception on Oct. 24 from 6 to 7 p.m. A social gathering will follow from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., where guests can meet participating artists and curators.

Curated by Lisa Soltren and Noemi Santana, the exhibition features sculptures by Victor Pacheco and three photography series by renowned Puerto Rican contemporary artists Joe Conzo Jr., Marisol Diaz and Perla de Leon. The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections, each offering a distinct perspective on the geopolitical realities of Puerto Rican diasporic identities. Through a variety of creative mediums, the exhibit documents and highlights the contributions of the Puerto Rican diaspora.

The exhibition aims to initiate a dialogue about the evolving Puerto Rican community and its presence in contemporary U.S. society. NPRDM's mission is to research, curate and preserve the history of Puerto Rican contributions to the United States. This exhibition showcases key moments in that journey."

"The National Puerto Rican Diaspora Museum is a cultural institution vital to Eastern's mission," said Julia Wintner, director of the Eastern Art Gallery. "This initiative will spotlight Eastern as an institution committed to diversity and inclusion. The museum will connect our campus community to the hundreds of Puerto Rican families currently residing in Windham, Columbia and Manchester, and serve as an educational space highlighting the history of 16 percent of our student population (with Hispanic heritage). NPRDM has received significant support from our faculty and student organizations."

Related Events

  • University Hour Discussion: Oct. 30 - Sculptor Victor Pacheco will discuss his artistic practice and experience as a member of the local Puerto Rican community.
  • Artist Panel Discussion: Nov. 7 - Dr. Charles Venator Santiago, professor of political science at the University of Connecticut, will lead a discussion with artists about the themes of their work and how they reflect on the Puerto Rican experience.
  • Scholars Panel: Jan. 30, 2025 - Details to be announced.

Gallery Hours/Info

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12 to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Thursday: 12 to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Additional hours by appointment: (860) 465-4625
  • Admission: Free
  • Contact: (860) 4654659

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 14 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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