Gallery Exhibit Features Work by Puerto Rican Artists Traumatized by Hurricane Maria

An art exhibition titled “Nor Wind Nor Water” is now on display through Jan. 19, 2020, at the D’Arrigo Family Gallery in the Hafter Student Community Center at Salus University.

It’s been two years since the catastrophe of Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and the island continues the ongoing process of recovering.  According to juror Edna Santiago, the handling of the crisis has served to illustrate once again the history of neglect of the U.S. citizens who inhabit Puerto Rico. The purpose of the exhibition is to offer opportunities to the artists in support and recognition that artists are a strengthening factor in many communities.

“In a world where the arts are being cut off from resources, we should strengthen the artists, which strengthens us all,” said Santiago.

Artists currently residing in Puerto Rico and those displaced to the mainland are featured in the exhibit. They include Andy Irizarry Robles, Antonia Cortes Rolon, Chloe Pinero, Eduardo Cabrer, Esteban Valentin, Javi Cintron, Jose Oscar Torres, Marcos A. Medina Cordoba, Maribel Perez Jimenez, Michelle Gonzalez Green, Norberto Morales, Rafael J. Rodriguez and Edna Santiago.

“Edna and I are both members of ARTsisters and have been collaborating for years in that group.  She experienced Hurricane Maria firsthand and was traumatized,” said Elynne Rosenfeld, Director of the D’Arrigo Family Gallery. “As part of the healing process she decided to take an active posture by giving voice to other artists affected by the storm. The result is this traveling exhibition. Salus is the second stop in the journey.”

The first stop was DVAA Gallery in South Philadelphia. The exhibition started the conversation of the arts between the contiguous states and Puerto Rico in ways barely spoken. Santiago hopes to continue this dialog here at Salus and then on to Maine Line Unitarian Church in Devon in the spring of 2020.

During the 2017 season, while living in Puerto Rico, Santiago owned a gallery that offered opportunities to show artwork from artists of the islands and the Philadelphia area. She currently resides in Philadelphia, having left Puerto Rico after the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria.

Proceeds and collected donations raised through the exhibition will go to aid participating artists in the much-needed rebuilding of Puerto Rico.