Highlights from the most memorable outcomes during the period of January-April 2024
Through the Educa Cortés Program: The Art of Wellness and Mental Health, we have transformed nearly 500 students, teachers, social workers, directors, and parents; coming from 19 public schools and homeschooling groups from 12 towns in Puerto Rico.
Our art galleries have opened free of charge three three times per week. We have received 4,000 visitors from 17 towns in Puerto Rico, 16 countries, 31 states of the United States of America, and four continents, all whom have appreciated the exhibit: "Ojos Que Tienen Vista: Mirar Más Allá / Eyes That Have Sight: To Look Beyond" curated by internationally renowned independent writer and Latin American and Caribbean art historian, Gerardo Mosquera.
Alumni of the Educa Cortés Program: Jade Rosario, Gala Camacho and Daniel Coss have joined the Fundación Cortés team as employees in their role as Educational Guides. They provide personalized tours of the exhibition to enrich the visitor experience. To support their efforts and the Educa Cortés Program, you can donate to the Professional Development Fund for our Educational Guides by entering into our donation page on PayPal.
Successful First Fundraising Banquet
Sunday, January 28, 2024, the Fundación Cortés held its first fundraising event at Hacienda Don Carmelo in Vega Baja. The event was called "Un Banquete de Aquí: Arte, Música y Gastronomía" featuring promotional art inspired by the work of Puerto Rican artist Nick Quijano titled "El sabor lo dice todo".
It was a tropical afternoon, with all the vibrant elements of Puerto Rican culture reflected in the cuisine, music, and art. The event design company Akua did an extraordinary job with the venue's decoration, which looked spectacular, with an attendance of over 300 people. We had the participation of 8 chefs under the coordination of Chef Augusto Schreiner, including Chef Marisoll Hernández, Chef Lorraine Colón, Chef Enrique Piñeiro, Chef Juan José Cuevas, Chef Manuel Massa, Chef Ricardo de Obaldía, and Chef Manolo Martínez.
Thank you to the sponsors of this event:
• Foundation for Poverty/Child Poverty
• Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico
• Cortés Hermanos
• Suiza Dairy
• Hacienda Don Carmelo
• Reinhold
• Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
• Universidad Ana G. Méndez
• London Consulting Group
• Goya
• Hotel Condado Palm Inn
• Supermax
• B. Fernández
• Fiji
• Justin Vineyard
• Landmark Vineyard
• Don Q
• Gustos Coffee
• GFR Media
• El Vocero
• Plaza Cellars
• Danosa
• Mendoza Law Office
• Droguería Betances
• Sajo/McCann
• Caribbean Cinemas
• V. Suárez
• Bravada
Puerto Rican actress, Cordelia González, was the master of ceremonies who guided the guests through a very special evening where we celebrated and supported Fundación Cortés in continuing its philanthropic work. The musical compositions were directed by Maestro Cucco Peña, and each song was accompanied by dancers who showcased dance styles across various genres as they took a musical journey through Puerto Rico's musical history of the last 100-150 years. Cucco Peña's orchestra was accompanied by extraordinary local talents such as Hilda Ramos, José Nogueras, Nahyra, Karla Marie, and Gerardito.
We held a live art auction with 20 emerging contemporary Caribbean artists: Javier Orfón, Natalia Sánchez Cruz, Eduardo Cabrer, Lilliam Nieves, Alejandro Saki Sacarello, Efrén Candelaria, Aby Ruiz, Bobby Cruz, Yiyo Tirado-Rivera, Jotham Malavé, Rafael Miranda, Rogelio Báez, Nelson Nel Figueroa, Kivan Quiñones, Admin Torres, Ángel Borroto, Pedro Vélez, Omar Velázquez, Stencil Network (Juan Gutierrez), and Manuel Mendoza Sánchez.
In addition, a silent auction was held for a set of 18K gold earrings by designer Mary Esses, and a bottle of Reserva de la Familia Serrallés aged in barrels for 20 years. On the premises of the Hacienda, there were different food stations, seating areas, a "pica" for enjoyment, and various stations with chocolate, juices, sodas, drinks, coffee, and dessert. The event was a resounding success. Save the date for the second edition of the event, "Un Banquete De Aquí II: El Colmo De Lo Exquisito" which will be on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
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Educa Cortés: The Art of Wellness and Mental Health
We have developed and implemented more than 10 new cultural and academic enrichment curricula with reading integration to contribute to eliminating the crisis in reading comprehension. Through these workshops, we have complemented academic standards in the following subjects: English, science, poetry, history, mathematics, Spanish, culinary arts, commerce, cosmetology, finance, mechanics, medical billing, and office administration. Additionally, other focus topics included corporate social responsibility, non-violent communication, and emotional management. We strengthened the program with the continuous appearance of our character, Lector Guatíbiri. During the workshops, Lector Guatíbiri reads books, phrases by Eugenio María de Hostos, recites poetry, trills and promotes the writing of short-format stories among the participants. PITIIIRRRE!
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¿Qué-TAL?
This year, we launched Tardes de Lectura, Valores y Chocolate. During this afternoon programming, we provide a comfortable environment within our gallery with beanbags, a collection of books, and art materials for participants. Visitors are invited to read from our communal library or receive help with homework in various school subjects. This initiative was made possible thanks to the grant provided through La Borinqueña Grants Program.
Fundación Cortés continues its active participation in the Coalición Multisectorial por la Lectura ¡Todos a leer! We invite you to join this important initiative: https://www.todosaleer.org/unete
Fundación Cortés: Under the International Eye
From March 6th to 8th, our Founding Executive Director and Lead Educator, Adelisa González-Lugo, was invited to present a specialized speech on the topic: "Innovative Program Educa Cortés: The Art of Wellbeing and Mental Health," at the XIII International Congress HistArtMed 2024 in Havana, Cuba. The Congress was attended by prominent figures in medical sciences, artists, and intellectuals from the region, who shared their experiences in research and practice for human improvement through the integration of sciences. Additionally, thanks to collaborators from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Washington, DC, and ICOM - Cuba, she was invited to facilitate an Educa Cortés Program at the Museum of Veterinary Medicine in Havana, Cuba. The program impacted students ages 7-8 from Nicolás Estévanez Murphy Elementary School.
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From March 6th to 10th, Don Ignacio Cortés, President and Co-founder of Fundación Cortés, was invited as a panelist at ARCOmadrid 2024. The panel was titled: Más allá de la acumulación: coleccionismos otros as part of the public programming: La orilla, la marea, la corriente: un Caribe Oceánico.
Voices in Contemporary Art (VoCA) held its first workshop of artist interviews in Spanish from February 27th to 29th in the Fundación Cortes galleries. A historic moment in which 22 museum professionals, curators, and artists from across Latin America and the Caribbean participated, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico. It also included representation from Canada and Europe.
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Venice Biennale
Fundación Cortés has had the privilege of sharing pieces from the Colección Chocolate Cortés for local and international exhibitions. Currently, at the 60th International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale "Foreigners Everywhere," two works by the Haitian artist, Philomé Obin, are on display. The Biennale began on April 20th and concludes on November 24th.
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Poli/Gráfica
At the Poli/Gráfica of Puerto Rico: Latin America and the Caribbean, "BAJO PRESIÓN/UNDER PRESSURE," the work Respalda-There, 2007 by Puerto Rican artist Néstor Otero (1948-2021) is being exhibited. It is located in the west room of the Arsenal de la Marina Española ICP under the exhibition Represión: La Orden de la Violencia / The Order of Violence.
Fundación Cortés is also participating as one of the satellite spaces of the Poli/Gráfica, promoting the current exhibition with free entry on Thursdays from 11am to 5pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5pm.
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Reyes Del Drama
Executive Director, Adelisa González-Lugo, was invited by students from the Escuela Especializada en Teatro José Julián Acosta in the Old San Juan community, to participate as a workshop leader on the topic of corporate social responsibility and as a member of the judging panel for the school contest "Reyes Del Drama 2024" on February 28th at the Teatro Tapia. The contest was organized and directed by Fundación Cortés’ Educational Guide, Daniel Coss, who is a student at the aforementioned school.
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Professional Development
Fundación Cortés is committed to developing its employees and fostering a teaching and learning environment. During this period the team, thanks in large part to the sponsorship of the Peter Alfond Foundation, participated in various activities as part of the Professional Development Program, which included: Conversatorio Construcción de Equidad Racial de la Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico en el Museo de Las Américas, Fundación Cortés: Demonstrative Practices, Voices in Contemporary Art: Artist Interview Workshop, El Guiso: Primera cumbre laboral en arte y cultura de la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, XIII Congreso Internacional HistArtMed-Cuba, Coalición Multisectorial por la Lectura ¡Todos a Leer!: Conversatorio Aunando esfuerzos por la lectura en Puerto Rico, Cumbre Afro 2024: Cumbre Internacional Afrodescendencia en Puerto Rico, Tech my School: Spring Educators Conference 2024, Simposio de Neurociencia Cognitiva: Mindfulness y Bienestar.
Below, our gallery of photos:
When we come together, great things happen
We have been working to strengthen and develop collaborative partnerships to maximize efforts and diversify our services. The organizations with which we have been collaborating include: Museo y Centro de Estudios Humanísticos Dra. Josefina Camacho de la Nuez de la Universidad Ana G. Méndez-Gurabo , Coalición Multisectorial por la Lectura ¡Todos a Leer!, Casa Dominicana, Espacio A, Vimenti School, International Council of Museums, y Asociación Americana de Arquitectos-Capítulo de Puerto Rico.
News
Friday, April 26th, Fundacíon Cortés was one of the beneficiaries of the Motorambar Charity Golf Tournament 2024, held at the Palmas del Mar Athletic Club in Humacao.
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In The Press
